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Clocks, Watches/Chimes on grandmothers clock
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Question
John,
I have a 1975 Hamilton grandmothers clock. The clock keeps perfect time, but the chime has stopped working. I can hear a small audible click when the minute hand passes through the hour, 1/4-hour, 1/2-hour, and 3/4-hour mark. I believe this small click was normally followed by the chime, but now there is no chime. I made a visual inspection of the internal mechanism by removing the inspection door of the back of the clock hood, but I don't really know what I'm looking at, although nothing appeared to be obviously broken.
Thanks,
Marc
Marc, you are correct about the click. It trips the chime mechanism to start, but evidently it is stalling out. The only thing I can suggest for you to do is to check the alignment of the chime hammers to see if any of them are out of alignment at rest. One could be jammed. The way to unjam it is to carefully move all the chime hammers back in the direction they normally lift prior to striking. Or check the weights to see if the heaviest is on the chime side. Have the chimes been slowing down before the complete failure? This is usually due to the lubricants becoming gummy and/or worn parts. Has the clock been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years? If not, it could be time. This symptom is common with a clock that has not been periodically maintained. It might be best to have an experienced clockmaker look at it.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
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Answers by Expert:
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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