Expert: William J Perkins - 12/30/2007

Question
QUESTION: I just put a HERMLE 1050-020 triple chime movement into a case for a mantle clock.  The movement is new.  It appears to run ok and keep time reasonably well for the short time that I observed it.  The problem is that the clock chimes when the minute hand is at approximatey 2, 5, 8 & 11.  Can this be adjusted.

ANSWER: Sure can, and quite easily.  Stop the clock.  Remove the minute hand from its shaft.  Turn the hand over, you will note that a bushing, with a square hole in it has been pressed into the center hole of the hand.  What has happened is that the hand has slipped on the bushing an amount equivalent to 5 minutes of time.  To correct take a pair of pliers and grasp the bushing with them and while holding the hand firmly turn the bushing equivalent to the arc of five minutes.  Replace the hand on its arbor to validate you did move the hand exactly 5 min.  If you missed remove the hand and try again until you achieve the desired results.  When achieved put the hand back onto the clock with hand nut in place.  This should do you.  If the hand should lose its friction with the bushing, remove the hand again, find a solid flat surface and strike the bushing with a ball pean hammer.  That should re-establish the friction fit.  Regards WJP

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the tip.  Worked perfectly.  The friction fit of the bushing was very tight so it was difficult to turn but it is now on time.

Since this is a gift and must be shipped  what is the best way to prepare the movement (if any thing) for shipping?

Answer
Make sure the springs are run down.  Pack the clock in a secure cardboard box.  Make sure that is sufficiently padded to prevent movement inside the box.  When you received this new movement it would have had a protective device installed at the top of the backplate to protect the floating balance.  Put this device back on before shipping.  It is important that this device be in place.