Expert: John Newman - 2/2/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a "wag on the wall"  Schmeckenbecher clock, purchased in USA 1958.   I notcie that one of the chime rods (the longest) is missing.   While this may not effect the working of the clock, I'd like to have it chime as intended.
Brass works  marked  EMIL SCHMECKENBECHER with numbers 106/315/12.
Do you have any suggestions on finding a rod/rods and should I try?
Thanks
Doris W

ANSWER: Hi, Doris.  I feel it would probably be best to take it to a clockmaker that is experienced in replacing the chime rods.  I will explain the steps to help you understand. First the chime block assembly has to be removed from the clock.  Then the mounting methods of the individual rods has to be determined, screw-in or pressed plugs. Being from 1958, yours are probably the screw-in type.  There are two sizes.  Then the material, which can be copper of steel, the rod length and diameter (generally one of two diameters) of the missing rod has to be determined.  Sometimes the composition of the materials can affect the tone of the sound.  The original screw plug has to be removed.  To achieve a pure tone the rods are installed at the factory with quite a bit of force.  I usually have to place the block assembly in a large vice and use a tool I have made which is a straight shank screwdriver that fits the screw slot perfectly and has a thin collar on it to keep the screwdriver on the plug. Once the plug has been removed, the replacement can be screwed in.  Sometimes the rod is a little off pitch.  When I am doing this I usually choose a rod that is a little long and then CAREFULLY trim it to be in harmony with the other rods.  If too much is trimmed, another rod would have to be installed, or the other rods would have to be trimmed to match the one that was a little too short.  This will bring the pitch of the whole unit up a little, which does not really matter unless you are a music major and want to check it against an instrument, like a piano (I have had this happen once in my career, but fortunately it was with an existing clock).  I have done this successfully, but it takes time.  This whole process takes time, which sometimes costs as much or more than a replacement chime unit.  If a new unit can be found with the same physical dimensions, including mounting dimensions that are fairly close, it can be substituted.  If you will Google Timesavers and look at the "Gong" Section of the catalog, you might see one that is similar.  

I know I told you a lot, but if you do have someone near you that might could do the job, I wanted to outline the steps.  If none of this works and you don't have a clockmaker near you, contact me at my shop email address below and I will give you some more details and see what we can work out.

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 for your wonderful answer.   Yes,  merely by looking, we thought/thing that the rods are screwed into the block.  Now,  found an almost identical clock on ebay- being sold for "parts" since weights and pendulum are gone.   I have everything except the missing rod.    Wonder if it would be worth purchasing this clock on ebay, with the hope that the rods (three) in that clock could be used in mine.    We have a clock repair person, willing to work on the clock,  but he admits that parts are harder and harder to obtain.   Guess   I'll have to decide if having the missing rod replaced is worth taking a chance on the clock on ebay (total cost $54.64).   The clock was purchased by me for my parents' 25th wedding anniversary in 1958  and  was a faithful time keeper until about 10 years ago, when my mother died.   The clock has been stored since then and now I would like it to keep time for me again.

Answer
Doris, I probably would not go that way on eBay.  I can give you some better options.  Contact me at my shop email address and include the item number on eBay and I will check it out to evaluate what you are looking at.  Then we might find just the complete assembly elsewhere.

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.)