Expert: William J Perkins - 12/3/2007

Question
QUESTION: bill, i just saw one of your answers to a winding question,like you said the click gear on the back of the main spring does wear, and when it lets loose that wind key will take the hide off your knuckles.i had to take a drimmel tool to that catch finger, i know these are not the right words for these but hope you know what i,m talking about.well someplace in the process of this ,it don,t chime right,something seemed to happen to that hook shapedarm that drops downletting the spin wheel catch the teeth.would appreciate any help. thanks chuck brackenbury riverton, wy.82501

ANSWER: I need to know a bit about your mechanical ability.  I rather suspect you are going to have to take this guy apart and put him back together again in order to effect repairs.  Much depends upon your response to this question as to how I respond.  Awaiting your response, regards WJP  I might need to snd you some data so please include your e-mail address in any answ

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QUESTION: bill, i,m mechcanicly minded,grant you i,m not a clock maker, but i can usually figurethings out. since writing you & reading q&a on alexpert,i think i have a rack& snailchiming prosses,the 3 pin spin wheel catches on the rack points and lock things up can i take a pair of small needlenose pliars, and straighten those pins without messing something else up? i,ll wait for your answer. thanks chuck..   email brackroper@wyoming.com

Answer
Perhaps I did not understand your problem afterall.  Let's put it into perspective to see whether or not I have wandered of into the primroses.  As I understood the click was not engaging the ratchet wheel allowing the spring to burst free.  With this condition you can obviously not wind the spring, ergo, the strike train cannot function.  If I have this right a specific repair must be made.  On the other hand, if I have the wrong concept in mind an entirely different procedure would be required.  Please clarify.  My gut instinct tells me you are entirely capable of wading through this problem.  With that in mind try to get a copy of the following book.  "The Clock Repair Primer", by Phillip E Balcomb.  This is a beginner's handbook and would provide you with much information.  I would try your public library first and if not there ebay or even amazon.  Get back to me as soon as you can.  WJP