Expert: William J Perkins - 12/21/2007

Question
My cuckoo clock made in approx. 1928 now will not run.  Even after careful cleaning, it seems that the pallets and escapement wheel teeth may be worn and adjustment needed.
The pallets are simply a piece of steel clamped to a horizontal bar controlled by the pendulum.  The said piece of steel, basically horizontal, is bent into a vertical tab at one end and a hook shape at the other.  The inside of the tab and the outside of the hook are the parts which bear against the teeth.  The inside of the tab has a shallow groove worn in it, but the hook does not look worn. What exactly are the measurements and angles of the pallets in relation to the teeth on the escapement wheel? I only wish I could see a diagram with measurements, is there any anywhere on the Internet? And in general, what to do to get it running again?

Answer
The escapement is the very heart of a timepiece.  There is no generic formula that I know of nor am I aware of relevant information on the Internet.  Henry Fried wrote some excellent articles on escapements as did James L Tigner.  As far as visual aids are concerned there are a number of video courses available.  Personally I believe this to be a subject best addressed in the classroom.  There are a couple of tapes I would recommend.  First, Random Clock Talks by J M HUCKABEE, CMC.  His tapes are available, on loan, from the Library of American Watch & Clockmaker's Institute.  That Institute probably has the best selection in the world on that subject.  The National Association of Watch & Clock Collector's has a superb library.  Both these entities are reachable on-line.  As far as commercially available video's I would suggest Stephen Conover or Tascione publications.

Should you have a specific question I would likely provide an understandable solution.

Good luck WJP