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Clocks, Watches/adjust minute hand to chime on hour

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Expert: - 1/2/2011


Question
I have a 33 year old Centurian key wound pendulum wall clock.  It chimes on the correct hour, but it chimes at 3 minutes past the hour and half hour.  How can I adjust the minute hand to chime at the correct point?  It is keeping time correctly otherwise. Thanks.

Answer
Beverly, there should be a bushing on the back of the minute hand.  The bushings are made of brass or steel and can be hex shaped or round.  To correct the error in striking, stop the pendulum.  Run the minute hand up to the hour and stop it exactly at the time you hear the "click" that starts the strike.  Unscrew the nut that secures the minute hand and remove the hand.  Using a good pair of pliers, grasp the bushing tightly in the pliers at right angles to the jaws of the pliers.  This is so you won't pinch your fingers if the pliers slip.  Holding the hand near the center so you won't bend or break it, slip the hand back a little until you think it is about 3 minutes back.  The tightness of the bushing can vary, some are very loose (which causes them to slip in the first place) or they can be very tight.  I have had a few that were impossible to slip.  Place the hand on the handshaft and see if it points to the 12.  If you haven't gone far enough, repeat the procedure and turn it back a little further.  Try it again.  I you have gone too far, slip it forward a little.  Now install the hand and tighten the hand nut.  You will probably find that the hand might be a little loose left or right as you tighten the nut and you just have to try a couple of times to get it so it strikes right on the hour.  Now you can start the pendulum and set the time.  Good luck and let me know how it goes.

John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama  

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John Newman

Expertise

As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.

Experience

One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee

Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.

Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)

Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama) Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)

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