Expert: John Newman - 12/12/2011

Question
QUESTION: The pendulum stops swinging after a couple of minutes after i get it going. Everything else works and the weights are on correctly and the tick tocks seem to be in sync.The chimes work if you move the minute hand to the quarter hour. I was wondering if you could give me some advice of things to check to fix the problem. Also i was wondering what the middle weight does i know the two end weights power the chimes i am guessing the middle weight powers the pendulum. The clock has been sitting for about five years, it used to work then it all of a sudden just stop working. I am no clock expert so if you could explain it as simple as possible that would be great. Thank you so much.

ANSWER: Kasey, you send a good photo of the movement.  It looks like a Hermle 1151 or 1161.  It's a little hard to tell with the photo on an angle.  If the clock has not been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years, or not running for a while, the lubricants could have become gummy and it might need to be serviced.  However, when this happens, the first symptoms are that the chimes usually slow down and eventually stop.  It could be that the clock is out of beat, meaning it is going tick..tock......tick..tock.  Hold the pendulum over to one side and release it.  If this is an auto-beat model, it will correct the beat and sound like tick....tock....tick....tock.  That might do it.    

I will copy you below on a list of steps I have developed for a clock not running.  If this doesn't help you might have follow the last step and have an experienced clockmaker look at it.
 

CLOCK NOT RUNNING

LEVEL 1 - SETUP.  If a clock movement 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.  Next, verify that the weights are hung correctly.  On most clocks the weights vary in weight.  Generally, if one weight is heavier than the other two equal ones, it hangs on the right (as you face the clock).  If one weight is lighter than the other two equal ones, it hangs on the left.  There are a few other variations.  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 which can be broken or crimped easily.  Also it needs to 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.  This can be corrected by a manual adjustment or an auto-beat function of the clock.  Doing this eliminates the tedious job of trying to "level" the clock after it has initially been positioned on the floor to be relatively level.  If I know the model of the movement I can usually determine what type of beat mechanism it has.  

LEVEL 2 - MAINTENANCE.   This involves cleaning, inspecting, oiling and adjusting.  My recommendation is that a clock should be serviced every 7 to 10 years.  A comlete job includes the removal of the dial and access to all parts of the movement, and often the movement has to be removed from the case.  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.  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.

LEVEL 3 - PROFESSIONAL SERVICE.  If you do not feel you can do the field service yourself, it would be best to have an experienced clockmaker look at it.  It might need a field cleaning, inspection, lubrication and adjusting in the home.  Anything more than that would probably require that the movement be taken to the shop for further service, overhaul or replacement.  The overhaul or replacement would be dependent on comparing the fee of both options.




I hope this helps.  If you do have any more questions, get back with me.



John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

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

QUESTION: Hey thanks so much for helping me. I tried holding the pendulum to one side then letting it go and it still stops after a couple of minutes. Everything looks like it is hung correctly and the tick tocks seem to be in rhythm. Once the pendulum starts slowing down the tick tocks become out of rhythm. It seems once the pendulum slows down the anchor thats attached to the pendulum gets stuck on the escapement gear. I am guessing this happens because the pendulum is losing momentum. I am going try to clean and lubricate it myself. I have the dial off and the movement out of the clock case. I was wondering do you need to take off the back or front that is solid brass plate to clean it or can you leave it together and clean it. I was wondering if you could give me some instructions on how to clean it or a good book to use as a reference. Thank you so much

Answer
Kasey, do NOT separate the plates.  Disassembling and reassembling would require at least 20-30 hours of hands-on training and instruction.  The pendulum configuration looks like it is in order.  If you will contact me at my shop email address below and reference Kasey's Clock, I will send you some oiling instructions and referenced labeled photos of lubricating.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvilliage
Prattville, Alabama

klokdok@juno.com

Note concerning questions not related to Allexperts:  Because of my commitment to answering Allexperts questions within a prescribed time limit and the large backlog of clock work at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis, other than Allexperts follow up questions.  I will try to answer these emails as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience.