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Clocks, Watches/french marble clock movement
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Question
QUESTION: Dear John, I purchased a French marble clock. The movement works fine, but as soon as it comes to half hour strike - it stops altogether. When try to force the minute hand further, with effort it clicks, and the clock starts striking indefinitely untill the striking spring exhausted. I took the movement out, everything seems to be fine and in place. And when turning the minute hand - the striking lever lifts up to a certain position and does not let the wheel move further. Sorry for terminology, Oleg
ANSWER: Oleg, it seems there is a problem with the strike lift lever and associated parts. The lift lever could be jamming and causing the clock to stop. Then when the hand is turned further, it strikes but the stop mechanism is also out of adjustment. I think that most French marble clocks have a count wheel, but if it is a rack and snail mechanism, a part called the gathering pallet pin has broken. It might look okay to you, but the adjustments could be off a little. Since you have the movement out, could you send a couple of clear photos to my shop email address below? One should be of the front of the clock just after it stopped and the other after the striking has started (you can stop it be holding the fly governor to take the photo.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
Note: Because of the number of Allexpert questions and follow ups,
and the excessive backlog in my shop, I regret that I can only answer
the Allexperts related questions in a timely manner.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dear John, I sent few pix as requested to your mail klokdoc. But didn't get any response yet. Maybe they went astray?
I did get them, and have been out of pocket for a few days. Your movement has a count wheel strike and the problems will probably be with some worn parts or adjustments, which I could not advise without observing the actual action. It would probably be best to take it to an experienced clockmaker and have it checked out. I'm sorry I cannot help you more and for the delay in my follow up.
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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