AboutJohn Newman Expertise Because of the variations of clock values throughout the world, and particularly the lack of data on modern production clocks, I regret that I CANNOT DETERMINE CLOCK VALUES. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been involved in building, repairing and restoring clocks for about 30 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.
Experience One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.
Question QUESTION: Hello,
We have had our Howard Miller Grandfather clock (model 610-563)for 18 years. Ever since moving it, the pendulum stops. I leveled it, but it still stops. It does do an Offbeat tick tock......tick tock. I read what you wrote about adjusting the connection...but I don't get it. There is a screw at the bottom of the pendulum, but I believe that adjust time. The pendulum is hooked over a vertical hanger that is just held in place to an upper horizontal bar at the top. Below that bar, there is another horizontal moving bar that the pendulum hits that causes the tick/tock sound. Please let me know what I need to adjust to keep the pendulum swinging.
Thanks so much!
ANSWER: Kelly, I cannot usually identify the movement by the model of the clock itself on older clocks. However, you have described it enough that I might be able to help. Your are correct about the screw at the bottom of the pendulum. There is a small round nut that you tighten to make the clock run faster and loosen to make it run slower. It does not have anything to do with the beat.
If your clock movement has an autobeat escapement, the pendulum can be held to one side of the case and released. It will seek its own level which results in an even beat. If it is a manual slip escapement, try the following:
Adjusting the beat manually is done at the top part in the area you are describing. The vertical hanger (called the hanger) is connected to a suspension spring (SS) that is held to the horizontal bar with a pin or thumb screw. Check the two leaves of the SS to make sure they are not crimped or broken. Below the horizontal bar that holds the SS is a hole in the plate that the other vertical brass strap (crutch) comes out of. It would have a horizontal pin on the bottom or device that interlocks with the hanger. It needs to be captivated in a centered configuration. For example, if it is a pin, it needs to be inserted in the slot in the hanger. After this is done, check the beat for an even tick....tock....tick....tock. If it is still not even, the crutch can be gently moved over to one side and then the other until resistance is felt. If it is not centered, it can be slipped over one way or the other to get an even beat. This will take a few tries (as it does me). Once you learn how to do this, it can be done from the front of the clock by reaching up under the clock movement, because after the clock is put back against the wall. The clock should be stable and not rock, but the slip mechanism, whether it be an autobeat or manually adjusted, will work if the clock is not perfectly level. Let me know how it works out.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Historic Downtown Prattville
Alabama
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QUESTION: Thank you so much. I have adjusted the lower horizontal pin...and the clock keeps moving! The only thing that is different now is that the right weight is moving more quickly down, then the left one and the middle is the slowest. For the past 12 hours, the time is only off by 1 minute. What do I need to control the weights? They used to drop at the same speed. Thanks again so much!
Answer The right (as you face the clock) weight is the power for the chimes, the center is for the running, and the left is for the strike. They will drop at a slightly different rate during a 12 hour period depending on the different number of notes of the chimes and the different count of the strikes. However, they will even up every 12 hours. So, if you wind them up to a equal heigth at 10 o'clock at night, they will be equal again at 10 in the morning, etc., and this will continue every 12 hours for a week until you wind it again. Usually when there is a weight drop malfunction, the center weight drops as the clock runs and the right and left weights drop slower or not at all. If what you describe is happening throughout the week, listen to the chimes and strike and let me know what they do that is unusual. On the Westminster chime there should be 4 notes on the quarter hour, 8 on the half, 12 on the three-quarter and 16 on the hour followed by striking the proper number of strikes for the hour.
In setting the rate, the rating nut at the bottom of the pendulum bob should be adjusted. A ball park rule is that for a grandfather clock, one complete turn of the rating nut will change the rate by one minute a day. A good idea is to make a small mark on the rating nut with a marker pen. To make the adjustment, stop the pendulum and do the following: If the clock is running slow 1 minute a day, tighten (or run up)the rating nut 2 complete turns. This shortens the pendulum length and causes it to run faster. If if is running fast 1 minute a day, tighten (or run down) the rating nut down 2 complete turns. Many pendulum bobs have a friction fit and will not follow the rating nut down when it is loosened. Therefore, it is good idea to gently use both your hands to pull the bob down so it is resting firmly on the rating nut after each adjustment. After you make the adjustment You might want to run the clock for a few days or a week and readjust for a more accurate rating. Just remember to reset the clock to the right time after each adjustment and that generally one turn makes a difference of 1/2 minute a day. Good luck and if you have any more questions, get back with me.
