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Expert: - 4/27/2010


Question
QUESTION: Please can you give any help on the following,the clock keeps perfect time, westminster chimes perfect on 15/30/45 & the hour. But it gongs 7 times on the hour even at 2 o'clock. I have tried moving the hour hand back to 7 then advanced the minute hand to the next 1/4 etc until correct time is reached. Could I try something else? thank you

ANSWER: Elizabeth, for a clock with an hour hand that has been accidently slipped out of position, you would have chosen the proper fix.  However, that is for an hour hand that is consistently off the same number of strikes for every hour, like 7 times at 2 o'clock, 8 times at 3 o'clock, etc.  It sounds like there is a problem in the rack mechanism on the movement behind the dial.  You did not give me the make or model of the movement, so I'm not sure exactly what is happening.  But most of the "rack and snail" strike movements work under the same principle.  When you say it gongs 7 times EVEN at 2 o'clock, do you mean it gongs (strikes) 7 every hour?  Check this out and let me know if this is the case or what it does at every hour.  Then maybe I can be sure of the pattern of error and we might be able to do something,


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,& thank you, the make is Enfield (England)I will find the model of the movement out asap. Yes sorry I did mean strikes. The clock is now doing different amounts of strikes! Example 6 O'Clock 6 strikes, 7 O'Clock 7 strikes then say 10 O'Clock only 9 strikes. Maybe I should monitor the clock over a few days to see if the pattern changes again.
Many thanks Elizabeth

Answer
Elizabeth, I probably won't need the model number, as I don't have any reference to the Enfield company.  It would be similar to many other clocks as far as the strike mechanism goes.  I'm afraid that it is probably going to have to be looked at by an experienced clockmaker.  Unless you have some practice in working on clocks, it can become rather complicated, especially if there is not a pattern to the failure.  If you have any more questions, you can contact me at my shop email address below, as that will free up the Allexperts question queue.  Thanks.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com

(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)

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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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