Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 7/2/2007

Question
Kenneth, I have a Steinway floor clock that is about 20 years old.a couple of years ago I started to have trouble keeping it running. I discovered that oiling the axles on the falling weights fixed it for about a year. it has reciently stoped running again.I have now discovered that the friction clutch mechanism on the excapement part of the movement is either worn or oil soaked and will not carry enough torque to keep the movement running. does this sound like a good analysis of my problem? if so, where can i buy an excapement mech.? or what do you advise? my unit is a 461-853Bs Hermle movement. Thanks for any help you can be. p.s. I am a retired M.E. and love to do everything myself

Answer
hard part for a civilian to purchase. - Take the unit out of the clock- scratch outline on the brass plate the location of the back plate with two bolts in it holding the verge assembly with the friction clutch-- remove the plate and the verge assembly and soak the assembly is something volatile for a while and work it back and forth and then let it dry and see if the torque doesn't increase to where it will work. Do not oil the clutch but only the shaft ends when you put it back on. Also oil the entrance and exit pallet faces on the verge anchor itself. Have fun!