Expert: William J Perkins - 2/1/2011

Question
QUESTION: how do i re thread the chains on my clock

ANSWER: Oy vey.  If  you don't know what your doing this can be a very frustrating and maddening thing to attempt.  However, once you have the hang of it. it is reasonably easy operation.  I would suggest you take the clock movement to a clock repair person and ask him/her to show you how it is done.  Should not find that acceptable I will try to walk you through one procedure verbally.  First remove the movement from the case so you can see what you are doing.  The idea is to get the chain wrapped over the cog wheel with out it passing over other parts of the movement.  Before doing anything be sure to tie what ever chain(s) are already strung so they are secure and will not come off while you manipulate the movement around to accomplish the task at hand.  Once you have this accomplished, turn the mobemrnt upside down, look down into the cog wheel, then using a pencil with an eraser on it to determine the direction the cog wheel will turn.  That direction tell you the side to which you must feed the chain.  Remove the end pieces from the chain, i.e. the hook and stop end.  Lay the chain onto the cogs of the wheel, You must keep the last link of the chain in contact with the cog wheel at all times, you do this by rotating the movement as you feed the chain over the cog wheel.  You feed the chain by rotating the cog wheel with the pencil.  Continue thus operation until the first link of the chain appears on the opposite side of the cog wheel.  When this happens the bottom of the movement should be in the down position.  With a long nose pliers or hook of some sort reach in and pull the chain down to where you have an equal amount of chain on either side of the gear.  Tie it off so that it wont come off.  Now that you have done this examine the mechanics of what you have done.  By interpolating this information you will see alternatives for doing this job, including doing it without removing the movement from its case.  The important thing is you have to learn how to avoid stringing the chain over another part of the clock.  Sorry my verbal skills are not up to
a clear pictorial description.  Quite honestly I never read a truly lucid narrative.  Hope this helps you.  Regards WJP  

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

QUESTION: that will work on one side with one cog but on the right side thier is two cogs how do i thread the two**thanks**

Answer
This one throws me.  In my nearly 70 years in horology I have never seen nor heard of a dual cog winding device.  I want to learn about this.  Could you please copy down and send to me all the information that is stamped upon your clock movements brass backplate.  This might identify to me the exact movement involved.  Thank you WJP