Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 4/24/2007

Question
Hi, I hope you can help. I have a Smiths mantle clock with 'the Alexander
Clark company' written at the 12, I think from the late 50's, with Westminster
chimes. It has a little wheel (sorry, don't know proper name!) rather than a
pendulum. There are 2 probs with the chimes and strikes. The first is that all
soundings occur 10mins late, and the second is that the number of hour
strikes are 4 hours ahead (eg will do 11 strikes at 7 o'clock). Also, I don't
know how to stop the clock to make any adjustments to the hands. Please
help!

Answer
Karen - you do not need to stop the clock to make adjustments. Move the HOUR hand (the short one)4 hours ahead and use the long one to set the correct time there after.The 10 min late is the fault of the square collet in the center of the minute hand being loose or out of adjustment--remove the round nut holding the hand onto the shaft-remove the hand and using pliers or a square shaft to hold the center while you move the hand - reposition so it points accurately at 12 when the clock strikes the hour and the hand is put back on.