Expert: John Newman - 1/4/2011

Question
QUESTION: The movement was made by Heinz Jauch.  The numbers on the back plate are:
77 10 76          388167

The clock was built in 1979 from an Emperor Clock Co. kit.  It is actually a grandmother clock. The weights are all the same.  They have W279 on all of them, and they are all the same.  The pendulum will no longer keep swinging unless I increase the weight on the chain.  I suspect the there is a wear problem.  Is it worth fixing?

ANSWER: Jim, my standard answer to "Is this clock worth fixing?" is to give the customer an estimate and let them decide whether it is worth it or not.  Now, as to your movement, it was used by Emperor in the first grandmother clocks as their model 100M.  The M usually stood for the moon dial feature, but it is a more general number, sometimes referred to on models without the moon dial.  The weights for this movement should be equal at 4.4 or 4.7 pounds.  The factory actually shipped with one of the two values.  After a few years, problems arose as a result of excessive wear on some of the bushings.  The problem was not resolved by the manufacturer and Emperor switched to the Hermle 451 movement.

Some clockmakers will rebuild these, but the amount of work required to make it reliable sometimes results in costs reaching or exceeding that of a new movement.  Now, the very common symptom of these movements is the slowing and finally stopping of the chime function, which affects the strike.  Usually after these fail the clock runs for a while before it fails.  If you clock hasn't been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years the failure could be caused by worn parts and/or old lubricant.  Also check to see if the clock is in beat.  That will be explained in the write up I have done for a non-running clock below.  If you still have problems, I can give you information on a conversion kit made especially for these clocks. If that is the case, contact me at my email address below and I can send you the details.



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.  

Next, verify that the weights are hung correctly.  On most clocks the weights vary in weight.  The general rule is that if two weights are equal, the third weight, if it is heavier, goes on the right side (as you face the clock).  If the third weight is lighter, it goes on the left.

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.




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: John,
I think that the second level needs to be done.  I'm not sure I have the expertise to do it correctly.  Is it feasible for me to send the movement to you for maintenance?  if so, what would be the approximate cost?  If not, I would replace the movement with the Hermle 451 movement or whichever movement is available at this time.  I built the clock, and it now considered a family heirloom, so we want it fixed.
Thanks,
Jim

Answer
Jim, the reason I ask that you contact me at my shop email address is that the main purpose of the Allexperts forum is for questions and answers, not so much on sales or service.  When we have explored all possibilities of resolving your problem, I can go further into finding you someone local, a clockmaker that is experienced in a certain procedure, or taking on a project myself.  This is when I ask you to contact me directly.  When doing this I try to give you as many options as I can.  When you contact me we can discuss the options of restoration or replacement.  I usually suggest a phone conversation which sure beats typing!  Contact me.

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.)