Expert: William J Perkins - 4/28/2010

Question
Hello and Thank you in advance for any and all help.

I have a Sligh Grandfather Clock with a Hermle movement 1161-053 114 cm. It is approximately 10 years old. It has been sooooooo reliable up to this point (never had it serviced, bought it new) Notice the middle weight only dropped. Then noticed it stopped chimming. Looked at the movement, everything looks good. Did noticed a small pile of metal shavings in the very center back. Looks like the center hold where the pin holds the center pulling cable is turning oblong \ eggshaped. Is wher shavings are coming from. Anyway very disappointed.  I would not mind paying for service but my question is "will the movement have to be replaced" Don't really want to pay for someone to come out and tell me that.  Seems like the movements are available for around $325.00 new.  If it is the movement. Can someone who doesn't know anything about movements, replace or do I have to have a clock guy put it a replacement movement.  

Thanks Again!!!

Answer
The movement does not have to be replaced, it can be restored.  Frankly, the fact that metal shavings are visible tells me the clock will need pivot and/or bushing work.  This will be a bit pricey and in my opinion not worth it.  I would recommend you opt for a new replacement movement.  You will end up with a much better clock, at lower cost, than if you select to have the work done by a clocksmith.  And yes, from the tone of your e-mail I suspect you are fully capable of making the movement exchange yourself.  My only caution for you to exercise care.  Before you begin, note where every thing is and write down every step you take towards removing the defective movement.  If done carefully, you will need only to reverse the procedure you have documented to install the new movement.  Before giving you a brief procedural outline I will make a few suggestions for future care of your clock.  Normally these clock should be submitted for examination every 5 years or whenever the clock starts to be erratic, whichever is the sooner.  In your case, and in view of my confidence in your performing servicing yourself, I suggest you buy a clock lubrication kit.  These kits include all the lubrications you will need and instructions as to how to apply.  Should you elect for this option, you would submit your clock to a clocksmith ONLY after it starts to become erratic.  Now to the job of removing the movement from the case.  First, locate the clock in a position where you can comfortably work on it.  Remove the pendulum and the weights, be sure to note at which position each weight should be hung.  Remove the hands and handnut.  Look up to the bottom of the movement, you will note that is seated upon a slotted board that spans the width of the case.  The movement is held to the seatboard by a bolt and nut.  These bolts thread through the bottom two pillar plates.  Remove the nuts and bolts.  Before removing the movement, take a pencil and outline where the movement sits on the seatboard.  This will save you a lot of trouble when you go to align the new movement into the case.  Now you are ready to remove the old movement.  Since I don't know what sort of case you will be dealing with, I cannot tell you how to do this,  I presume you would remove the back from the clock.  You would slightly lift the movement and pull it directly out through the back opening.  You might need help in pulling the cables through the slot in the seatboard.  I would suggest you arrange to have some sort of contrivance to set both the old and new movements so that you can see them side by side.  This is necessary because you might have to remove some of the old parts from the old movement for installation on the new one.
This is a juncture where you must be very careful.  It is absolutely essential that all the accessories for the new movement are precisely the same as they were for the old one.  This is particularly true with respect to moondial connection and the strike and chime components.  It's really not a big deal, scary, yes, but doable.  BE OBSERVANT!  BE CAREFUL!  I also suggest you wear latex or cotton examination gloves whenever you handle the new movement.  One other suggestion, contact Mark Butterworth for his price on a new movement.  Mark operates the largest volume store for mechanical movement in the USA.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised with his quote.  If you opt to go the new movement route DO NOT ACCEPT A REBUILT OR REMANUFACTURED MOVEMENT.  Another reason for talking to Mark.  Mark has a presence on the Internet and is located in Muscatine Iowa.  I'm sure you will enjoy this endeavor, regards WJP