Expert: John Newman - 1/13/2011

Question
QUESTION: I knew virtually nothing about the clock I purchased but I have been reading the Q&As about this model.  I know I need to find out where and how to oil it.  For now, everything works fine except it chimes too many times.  It is off by 2 chimes (at 10 it chimes 12 times, at 11 it chimes once, etc. Is this something a novice can fix?  Thanks!

ANSWER: Laura, I will include a set of instructions in answer to your questions about the strike being off.  It is in the second paragraph.  The other paragraphs include some other useful information.


SYNCHRONIZING THE MINUTE HAND

To synchronize the minute hand for the correct operation, follow these steps:  The minute hand (long one) will fit on the square minute hand shaft in four different positions.  Only one is correct.  The way to determine the correct one is to install it temporarily on any of the positions and move it forward, letting each chime complete it's tune until the hour chime has finished and the hour has struck.  Without turning anything, remove the minute hand and reinstall it pointing to the 12.  Install and tighten the hand nut.  I always use a pair of pliers to tighten the nut a little more than hand tight, but not too much.  This keeps the nut from loosening and coming off in the future.
 

SYNCHRONIZING THE HOUR HAND

After synchronizing the minute hand and letting the clock strike the hour, count the number of strikes.  If the hour hand is not pointing to the hour that just struck, slip it to that hour.  This positions the hour hand correctly.  Make sure it is pushed on so it is tight.  Check to see if the hands clear each other and the dial when they rotate.  If they don't they will catch each other and stop the clock.   Then turn the minute hand to reset the clock to the correct time.  The chimes might not be in sync, but they should correct within one to two hours.
 

MINUTE HAND ALIGNMENT FOR MODERN CLOCKS (MINUTE HANDS WITH BUSHINGS)

If the minute hand is not pointing exactly to a quarter or hour when you hear a "click" that starts the chime, the bushing needs to be slipped.  If possible, stop the clock and note the position of the minute hand.  Without turning anything, remove the minute hand nut and the minute hand.  Grasp the bushing on the back of the minute hand with a good pair of pliers at a right angle
to the jaws of the pliers (this is to keep from pinching your fingers if the pliers slip). Hold the minute hand near the center and slip it in the direction  to correct the position.  Reinstall it on the minute hand shaft and check to see if it is pointing at the quarter or the hour.  If not, readjust it.  It may take a few tries to get it just right and possibly again after the clock has been running.  Start the clock again and check for the alignment.


Concerning the lubrication, please reply to my shop email address below (with the subject noted) and I will reply with some instructions and representative photos.


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: Thank you!  This seems clear but after reading it a few times, it could go either way, so before I do it wrong I am going to ask my dumb question.  You have to take the minute hand off to set it, but do you take the hour hand off to set it or leave it on and spin it to the right position?  In the instructions you have already replaced the minute hand after setting it, so I am not sure what to do and the clues in the answer point in both directions.  Since my minute hand is fine, it sounds like I could just move the hour hand to the correct position, then spin the minute hand lots of times to reset the clock to the correct time.  One last dumb question - should I always stop the clock before doing any of these adjustments to it, and then restart it after, and does it damage the clock to turn the hands backward? (no, I haven't done that) Thank you!

Answer
"This seems clear but after reading it a few times, it could go either way, so before I do it wrong I am going to ask my dumb question."

Laura, these questions are not dumb at all!  If you don't know, you ask.  I probably gave you too much information to digest, so let me be a little more specific.

"You have to take the minute hand off to set it, but do you take the hour hand off to set it or leave it on and spin it to the right position?"

The minute hand does not have to be taken off to set it.  The instructions are for a minute hand that has come off and installed in the wrong position.

"Since my minute hand is fine, it sounds like I could just move the hour hand to the correct position, then spin the minute hand lots of times to reset the clock to the correct time."

The second paragraph does apply to your hour hand being out of sync with the number of strikes.  As explained, you let the clock strike, count the number of strikes and slip the hour hand to that number.

"One last dumb question - should I always stop the clock before doing any of these adjustments to it, and then restart it after, and does it damage the clock to turn the hands backward? (no, I haven't done that) Thank you!"

Again, not dumb.  The clock does not have to be stopped to set it.  The clock you have has what we call a "safe-back" movement.  The minute hand can be turned backwards safely.  Slipping the hour hand in either direction does no damage, as all it does is slip.  

Now the really smart part.  Anything you would have done would not have damaged the clock.  But asking when you are not sure of something is very smart.  I have received clocks in my shop and questions stating that they did something without asking first and damage has resulted.  If you do have any more questions, get back with me.

John Newman