Expert: John Newman - 7/12/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi John I am the one who wrote you about the Grandmother Clock bought at an auction. It would not let me do a follow up question on our e-mail it said I had to ask a new question.  It has three keyholes and when I went to wind them it seems they are round to tight, the clock is not working. On further searching on the Internet I think this might be a granddaughter clock it is 36 inches tall and looks just like a miniature oak grandfather clock. You ask me if it was a pendulum clock.... yes it is and it says Franz Hermle Model 1051-02- on the back and 45cm   101-867. I would appreciate any help with this clock....Thanks John...Donna

ANSWER: Donna, I answered this question, but it just came back to me, I don't know why.  But I'll answer again.  

The Hermle 1051 is an 8-day spring powered pendulum clock with a 45cm (not actual length) pendulum and triple chimes.  Below is a copy of the diagnostic procedures for checking a clock that is not running.  I have modified it to apply to your clock.  Make sure the mainsprings are wound in the correct direction, which would be clockwise.  If it has a silence lever, move it off of silent.  Carefully turn the minute hand through each quarter, letting it chime to see if it chimes and strikes on the hour correctly.  You might have to go through two hours to allow the chimes to get in sync.  Hold the pendulum over to one side to get it started.



THE FIRST LEVEL IS THE SETUP.  

For Floor Clocks   If the clock is in operating condition but not working, I would check the stability of the clock in that it doesn't rock or wobble on the floor.  It should be relatively level.  The level is not critical, as setting the beat (below) will correct for this.  


Is the pendulum hanging configuration correct?  This means that the suspension spring, hanger, verge and pendulum are all connected properly with nothing broken, especially the suspension spring.  When the pendulum swings, it should be "in beat", meaning that when the pendulum swings you hear an even tick....tock....tick....tock.  If it is uneven, like tick..tock......tick..tock, the clock will probably stop.  Most later model movements have an "auto-beat" mechanism.  The beat can be set by holding the pendulum over to one side next to the case and releasing it.  It will automatically correct itself.  If it does not have this feature, the escapement crutch will have to be slipped manually.  If required, I would need a good description of the verge and hanger mechanism or a photo of the back of the movement to give you instructions for that.  Also check to see if the hands are catching on each other or the dial.  Look at the chime and strike hammers to see if they are all in alignment at the rest position.  Sometimes jammed hammers or the drive mechanisms will stall the clock.

For Mantle or Wall Clocks   The clock should be stable and not wobble or rock.  There should be an even beat.  If not, wall clocks can be set in beat by moving the bottom of the clock to one side or the other.  Some wall clocks have the auto-beat adjustment.  Mantle clocks can be shimmed up on one side or the other to obtain an even beat.  These methods work if the beat is not off too much.  If the out-of-beat condition of these clocks are excessive, other adjustments have to be made.


THE SECOND LEVEL INCLUDES MAINTENANCE

Usually, the first symptom of a clock failing is that the chime and/or strike mechanisms slow down and then fail altogether.  At this point the clock needs to be serviced.  This includes cleaning, inspecting, oiling and adjusting.  In the inspection, the movement is checked for adjustments, broken or worn parts.  If there are any broken or worn parts, we go to the third level. If all parts are okay, a good clock oil and grease is used.  In most cases the movement should be removed from the case to have access to all the lubrication points.  Clock lubricants can be bought from clock suppliers.  Using lubricants for other applications can cause problems, as some lubricants are not compatible with others.  This even applies to different clock oils.  After lubricating, the operation is checked for final adjustments.  I recommend maintenance be performed every 7 to 10 years.


THE THIRD LEVEL IS REPAIR.

This requires that the movement be broken down and all parts inspected and repaired or replaced, and then reassembled lubricated, adjusted and tested.  I do not recommend this except by an experienced clockmaker.









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

QUESTION: Hi again John, I just purchased another grandfather clock. This is a Colonial of Zeeland made in 1972. Well I put it all togeather and discovered the tubes in the back, some of them were cracked I guess from age. I got it working but when it chimes it sounds like a tin can is being hit lightly. I figured it must be because they are cracked...can they be fixed with some kind of filler or can you buy new ones....Thanks  John....Donna

ANSWER: Hi, Donna.  If you will, when you submit a question about a different clock will you do it as a new question?  It will help keep the subjects separate.  Thanks.

I have never repaired any tubes but some of the members of my Internet Clocksmiths Group have done some repairs on cracked tubes by silver-soldering them.  This takes some experience in that the joints have to have a good bond.  A jeweler might be able to do it.  If you can't find one, it is possible that one of our members might do the job.  Of course the shipping would have to be considered in doing this.  New sets could be ordered, but they have been scarce and rather expensive for the last couple of years.  Also, if I'm not mistaken, Colonial tubes are nickle plated and are even more rare than the brass ones.  But let me know what you find.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama


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

QUESTION: Yes John! I will submit my question as a new one on each clock. Sorry for the confusion I just thought some one else might get the question. This sounds like it might be very expensive to get it silver soldered, some of the cracks are pretty long. Since silver is so expensive now cost wise, it might not be worth it....any idea of cost.

Answer
The silver solder isn't really that expensive, it's the labor and shipping.  You didn't tell me the number of tubes and they come in 5 or 9 tube sets.  Right now one of my sources has the 9-tube sets in brass for $650 + $35 packing + shipping, and the nickle-plated are $800 + packing and shipping.  I don't have a listing right now on the 5-tube sets.  

On the follow-ups, they always go back to the original person that answered it.  However, you can contact me at my shop email address below to free up the Allexperts qustion queue.  


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.)