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Clocks, Watches/King Arthur Grandfather Clock

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Expert: - 5/11/2010


Question
QUESTION: Hi There,  I am in a pickle, I dismantled a clock for shipping and I did not write down the sequence in which I removed the chimes and weights.  It is a king Arthur grandfather clock and the movement is by URGOS, made in Gemany, O jewels, UW 03038B and the number 415717.  I has 9 chimes and 3 weights.  Two of the weights are about the same weight and the third is about twice as heavy.It is chain driven and is approximately a 7 day clock.  Hopefully it survived the move as I have heard that most do not.  I had a manual that told me how to prepare for shipping and the set up to put it back together, but asal I have lost that some time ago.  My question is, Which side of the clock does the heavest weight go and when installing the chimes, which side dies the longest one go.
Also I don't rember if I messed with th two levers that are on the movement on either side.  They look like some sort of shipping locking mechanism.  I don't think that I moved them but just in case how should they be positioned. And lastly is there anywhere I can get the manual for the clock.  It was purchased around the early eighties. I had the clock model number but have evidently haven't unpacked that info yet.

I sincerely will appreciate any help you may give, thanks for your forum on clocks

Sincerely,

Ray Buckles

ANSWER: Note: Reference to the left and right sides is as you are facing the clock.

Raymond, on most clock movements, including your Urgos, if one weight is heavier than the other two equal ones, it will hang on the right .  The chime tubes are hung in sequence of length from right to the left, starting with the shortest and the longest being on the left.  There is a 4 position lever on the front right side of the movement which controls the chime selection and silent position.  I am not familiar with the lever on the left.  On chime rod models, these levers can control the chime and strike silence functions.  I hope this helps.  Good luck in setting it up.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama



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

QUESTION: Hi John and thanks so much for taking the time to clarify the reinstallation of weights and chime rods.  Maybe next time, if there is one, I will be a little smarter and write down the correct sequence.

The levers I was referring to are on the inside back of the movement.  They are on both sides of the movement and about 1" above the lower mounting screws.  They are much like an "L" shaped lever and are slotted on the lower side.
Is there anyway to obtain one or a copy of the ordinal manual?

Thank you again for your kind help.
Sincerely,
Ray

Answer
Ray, I just can't think of what the levers can be on the tubular chime movement.  Would it be possible for you to send me a clear digital photo of each of the levers?  My shop email address is below.  Also, I'm sorry but I do not have any Viking manuals.

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

(General Note:  Due to the commitment I have for answering Allexperts questions and follow-up information,
and the excessive backlog at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer other questions from
this email address in a timely manner)  

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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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