Expert: John Newman - 1/18/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have recently purchased a long case clock with a Hermle movement serial number 81 451-050M 94CM and the strike train of hammers does not engage with the movement when the clock reaches the hour.

The arbor holding the hammer train seems to have become dislodged from the movement whilst still contained at each end by the stop and bottom plates.

Is this an easy and relatively low cost repair or as i suspect a costly or worst case scenario impossible repair.

ANSWER: Hi, Colin.  The way the arbor became dislodged would determine if there was any more damage to the movement.  I would have to see a clear photo of the dislodged strike arbor to determine the extent of the damage.  If the "81" is above the other information on the back of the movement it would indicate the manufacturing year of 1981.  So the movement is around 30 years old.  I think that if someone brought the movement into me with that strike problem and it hadn't been serviced in 10 years or more, I would probably suggest a complete cleaning, inspecting for worn or broken parts, repairing them, reassembling, oiling and adjusting.  However, if everything was in good order, maybe just repositioning the strike arbor and a light oiling would not be too much of a job.  I also don't believe the cost of a new arbor would be too prohibitive.  My installed price for the hammer would be about $25 US.  Of course the movement would have to be removed from the clock.  It's just difficult to tell without having the movement or seeing a photo of it.  If you could send a clear photo to my shop address below, I might be able to refine my answer.

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.)



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

QUESTION: Hello John

The arbor ends are still in the front and back plate, nothing has really dislodged my description is without the benefit of a photograph for which I apologize, however if I say that the arbor can rotate away from the movement in such a manner that the strike hammers fall against the inside face of the "lantern" case of the clock. There is a small coil spring which is attached to the arbor as I believe a tensioning device to return the rotating arbor to the strike position resting placebut this is insufficient to keep the arbor there prior to striking. I believe that the arbor has been rotated away from the strike rest position in an attempt to adjust the hammer train in relationship with the chime bars but that is only a guess, but in doing so something has been perhaps stressed in this process.

Colin

Answer
Colin, if you will contact me at my shop email address below, I will send you a photo of the strike arbor in the proper position and one in the incorrect position.  I have a feeling the arbor rest wire is on the wrong side of the stop.

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.)