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Clocks, Watches/340-020 with non working hour strike

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Expert: - 3/25/2010


Question
Hi John, Just purchased a Hamilton mantel clock with a (1976) 340-020 movement. It keeps good time and the 15 minute chimes work OK but the hour strike does not work. The three hammers partially raise but do not drop on the first strike. If I apply a gentle force on the lift lever at the back of the movement it seems to work. Do you have any suggestions? I have seen in some of your earlier correspondence that you recommended spreading the "y" at the minute hand cam for chime correction. Should this be my direction?
Thx.

Answer
Gerald, being almost 35 years old, the movement can have some wear and if it hasn't been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years, the lubricants could be gummy, causing failure in either the time, chime or strike.  You are correct in that I recommended spreading the "y" at the minute hand for a chime correction.  But your problem is in the strike.  The strike is dependent only on the the chime completing its hour function.  You say the chime is working okay, so we should focus on the strike. If the strike hammers lift partially, this means that the strike train (all the gears, etc) has been tripped and has started its cycle but then stalls out.  This probably means that there are worn parts and/or gummy lubricants, as I noted above.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Gerald, concerning the clarity of my response, I tried to let you know what was wrong and offer a little explanation of what was probably happening.  If I wasn't clear on anything, let me know.  More simply I could have said that the direction of forming the chime lever was not the way to go and the movement should be serviced, which includes cleaning, inspecting, correcting any broken or worn parts, adjusting and testing.  I do take the comments and ratings seriously so I can improve my answers.  Thanks, and if you do have any more questions, get back with me.  

John Newman  

Clocks, Watches

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John Newman

Expertise

As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.

Experience

One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee

Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.

Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)

Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama) Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)

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