Expert: Martin Meyer - 9/30/2007

Question
Hello,

I recently purchased a Howard Miller grandfather clock, model 4876 from a second hand store. I fell in love with it. It is beautiful. The clock was running there. I came in to observe it almost every day for two months, on my lunch hour. It seemed ok. Now that I have it at home, I notice that the quarter hour chiming sometimes misses or chimes wrong (for example, 1/2 hour on the quarter hour). The weights are in the right position. The hammers are free. Can you help?
Thanks. Robbin

Answer
Hi Robbin
   There are many causes for a clock's not chiming. There is a fairly complicated series of levers which control the chiming. In your case, it sounds like a lever is sticking or not moving when it should, and your clock is occasionally failing to chime, then making it up on the following quarter. If this is the case, you may notice that the right hand weight is not descending as fast as the other two weights.
    There are two most common causes of this problem, needing lubrication or wear in the movement. In either case, you should have a professional clock repairer do a service call. He can lubricate the clock and also determine if the movement is worn and needs an overhaul or new movement.