Expert: William J Perkins - 12/23/2007

Question
Hi, I'd recently corrected a chime sync problem on an Urgos 3-chime movement kit Grandmother clock. Unfortunately, I didn't remove the minute hand from the handshaft when I clamped the hand boss with pliers and tweaked the minute hand. As it stands, chime sync is fine but I've got an interesting problem. When I started the clock again it chimed as desired on the 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4hr marks but at the top of the hour it seems to click like it's trying to actuate the chime & goes no further, passing through the hour mark without the expected fanfare or striking.
However, if I switch to silent mode then immediately back to the chime pattern (Whittington, Winchester, Westminster) it carries out the task, completely.
So I'm wondering if, in my carelessness remedying the chime sync malady, I've misaligned or damaged linkage tripping the chime at the top of the hour. Now if I don't, after the "clock-up", switch to silent-mode to reset things the 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 hr respective chimes in the hours that follow are not forthcoming. Please advise me.

-Sincerely,
Scott Harlow

Answer
Not seeing the movement I have to guess.  Urgos very frequently used a four pointed star as the lifting cam that causes the unlocking of the chime train.  One of the points of the cam is longer than the others, the minute hand must lie directly over this point.  When in proper position the lift not only releases the full chime sequence it also cocks the strike train.  This should do you.  Regards WJP