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Clocks, Watches/Emperor clock adjustments

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Expert: - 11/14/2011


Question
John, I was searching the net and saw a response you answered regarding clock adjustments on a Emperor clock.  I also have a Emperor clock my dad built.  It is working perfectly,  chimes every 1/4 hour, and bongs on the hour.  What adjustment I can't figure out is all chimes and bongs are 7 minutes ahead.  I tried everything and I am baffled.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Peter, evidently the minute hand bushing has slipped.  To correct it, it's best to stop the clock when doing this procedure, as you don't want the hands to advance during this time.  If it has a balance wheel rather than a pendulum, it is okay to let it run.  Now, run the minute hand through the quarters until it just trips the chime
at the hour.  You will hear it click.  Without turning anything on the
clock, unscrew the hand nut and remove the minute hand.  It will have a
round or hex brass bushing on the back.  Use a good pair of pliers to
hold the bushing.  Position the hand so it is at a right angle to the jaws
of the pliers (this is to keep from pinching your fingers if the pliers slip.)
Holding the hand at the center, to keep from bending or breaking it, and rotate the hand back to what you think is about 7 minutes.  Put the hand back on at
the 12 position and check to see if it points exactly to the 12.  If it is
a little off, remove, readjust and reinstall it.  Then put the hand nut back on and
tighten it.  Turn the minute hand to the quarters and check to see if it trips
the chime on the quarters.  It can still be a little off because of play in
the clock mechanism.  You might want to readjust a little more.  But that
should do it.  If you have any further questions, get back with me.

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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