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Clocks, Watches/Howard Miller clock won't strike the hour
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Question
I have a cable driven Howard Miller grandfather clock. The chimes all work at each quarter hour, but the clock won't strike the time at the hour. The left weight does not move down very much. Is it possible for me to make an adjustment to correct this?
Don, I have been working off my laptop in another location while on vacation. I thought I had answered your question, but it reappeared, so I will try again.
If the left weight is moving down at all, something is working on the strike all of the time. You did not give me the model information on the back of the movement, but I'll try to wing it! Does your clock have the auto night-off feature? A lever on the dial to the left of the "9" would indicate something like, "silent, night-off, strike," or similar indications. If it does have this feature, it could be out of the 12 hour sync and striking at night but not during the day. This would cause the left weight for the strike to move down 2/3 the distance of the others in a 12 hour or any 12 hour increment for a day , days or a week. Another possible cause would be that the clock hasn't been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years and the mechanisms have become sluggish, either because of gummy lubricants or worn parts. In this case the chime function is usually the first to show some symptoms. Let me know what you find.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Historic Downtown Prattville
Alabama
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Answers by Expert:
John Newman
Expertise
As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. 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 a clockmaker for about 35 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.
Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Committee
Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.
Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology
Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)
Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama)
Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)
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