Expert: William J Perkins - 12/25/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have a Hamiltom Movement that I bought off ebay to make a homemade clock for as a hobby. This clock has 8-Hammers and is marked (stamped) # 86 (2) Jewels and also has 1050-020 on it. Can you tell me anything about this movement?

ANSWER: Model 1050-020 is an eight day triple chime movement.  It has a 4/4 Westminster, Whittington and St. Michael chime capability.  The movement is fitted with a balance unit.  Eight hammers are mounted on the bottom of this movement.
         Demensions: 120 x 120 mm with
         32 mm between plates.
Regards, WJP

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QUESTION: That is a 1st Class Answer and I appreciate it. I'll be proud to rate you as high as it gets. Nevertheless, everything runs fine except the chimes. Clock tries to trip the chimes and hours. It is some kind of sequence of the clockwoks that is preventing this to happen. I cannot work that magic. Any suggestions? Thanks..

ANSWER: Could you be more detailed in describing your problem.  If I understand properly the clock trys to cock the chime/strike train(s) but is unable to do so, or, does it cock but fail to release, or maybe both.  If I can visualize the problem I am sure I can help.  Again, my regards WJP

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QUESTION: The clock fails to release properly the little series of leavers to activate the drive portion to put the hammers in motion. Meaning both the hour an melody never strike because one of the strots seem to be out of sequence adjustment. I hope this helps. It would be a blessing to hear this wonderfully made clock do it intended job. I been tinkering with it a month or so. Numerous man hours. Cleaned it in a somic bath (except the 3 winding barrels that I did by hand) and oiled it. None of the bushing are worn and nobad teeth. an adjustment puzzle id what I would bet my money on in vegas. Thanks my friend.

Answer
Please forgive my density, I still am not envisioning what is going on.  Perhaps if you could send me a sequence of digital pics, perhaps I could get hold of the problem.  I suspect the resolution would be quite simple if I could but get the concept through my head.  If you could do this you would have to send the pics to my personal e-mail address, <flashpowder@hotmail.com>.  All expert software does not support attachments.  What I would like to see are illustrations of the various phases of lift, from the front, both strike and chime, include the original contact causing the trains to cock, the results of the cock, contact at failure to release. From the back plate I would like to see, the at rest position, the cock position and whatever happens after.  I know this is a lot of trouble, but this would substitute for not having the movement in hand.  By the way when you cleaned, did you take the clock apart?  WJP