Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 9/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: I bought a clock with a Smiths floating balance as not working (UK here ).
It was just a little dry and works fine now . Except...Let me say I am retired and have enjoyed a few years learning about orphan clocks and have tried to take an educated approach to my learning.

It may be that my clumsiness has upset the setting of the Floating balance as in general I read they must be factory set :-(
It is performing and controlling the clock but racing.

I should like to know if there is any point in my trying to set it myself. I am very practical and did work in a scientific environment and can be very methodical and thorough.
What I am lacking is any idea of how to approach the problem without causing damage as all I have found is caveats Not To Do It :-)
It would be no problem to take appropriate photos if it would help...close-ups are Nikon quality.
I should be really delighted if I were able to return the clock to the kind, young seller, working well,  as a present for I know it would be appreciated.
It looks to me almost identical to the model Amsterdam 1962 in my copy of Barrie Smith's book on Smiths clocks

I appreciate any advice or help which I gratefully acknowledge.
I would send photos but should like what would be most beneficial for your understanding.

Kind regards
Linnet9

ANSWER: bound to be a problem with the balance assembly itself.

can you attach a photo of it?


the assembly probably needs proper cleaning and adjustment

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

QUESTION: Well I am happy to send a photo tomorrow but it sounds like you are like everyone else and saying it's a professional job. Even if it is and I cannot do it I'd love to know where the mystery is :-)
Been a long day so till tomorrow, Janice

ANSWER: to the contrary- I need to be familiarized with how the Smith's balance is mounted to advise what to do - hence the photo needed.
I am a lot more familiar with the German Hermle and Urgos floating balances.

like here:

ftp://atmos-man.com/repair/hermle.doc

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

QUESTION: Dear Kenneth...a good sleep and an apology if you felt I was brusque. I've had two thoughts since last communicating. One is that the original clock instructions probably paint a better picture than I can and possibly the bad news which I had forgotten. When first I got the clock I asked if it was possible WD40 might have been used and the anwer was YES. At that point I thought maybe a job for isopropyl alcohol though the thought did not recur( I knew FBs don't like WD40!!.)
I don't want to take up your time unfruitfully nor to take on anything beyond my capabilites. I am however still fascinated to know how the darned thing is set up!! :-)
The photograph is limited by understanding of what you would be best to see and the light
I belive a later mod was made at the top of the springs (not here)...hope this inspires J

Answer
if your unit seems to "float" nicely then I would look to the adjustments I sent in the link of atmos-man-- same would apply to your smiths

if the unit appears to be at all gummy due to the WD40 then the two nuts holding the unit in would be taken off and the unit cleaned gently in something - try alcohol I guess.

as to what else the WD40 got into in the REST of the mechanism may also be gummy and a problem still.