Expert: Martin Meyer - 10/8/2007

Question
Hi Martin! Would you please advise me on 'How To' set our auction bought clock. The frame is hand built. The facew is gold and black and on the bottom of the face plate is says Western Germany. I am assumeing it is made in 1976 as that is the scribed date on the back in the wood. It has 3 weights and the chains. It is 'Not' key wound. I took the pendulum & weights gently out prior to moving it and it was tilted when moving but 'Not' laid down. We got home and I set hung the pendulum and the weights back in place. I pulled the one chain so the middle weight went to the top and the 2 weights outside of the middle one went down. Then I advanced 'Only' the 'Hour' hand forward to the correct time. I did not monkey around with the 'Minute' hand.When the hour comes up you only hear a click but not the beautiful chime. It does not click nor' chime on the 1/4 past as well. At first I just set it back up and pulled the chain so the center weight went to the top and set the pendulum in motion and it did chime at the 1/4 past the hour but not on the half hour. At this point is when I attempted to adjust the time. Now it is currently keeping perfect time but no chieing and only as I said above. Your help is greatly appreciated!   regards,Jess & Betty

Answer
Hi Jess,
    The chime mechanism is operated by a series of levers which must all be perfectly in adjustment. One minor thing first: make sure that the heaviest weight is located on the right as you look at the clock. This weight powers the chime.
    If this doesn't solve your problem, you will have to have a clock repairer do a service call. The levers could be out of adjustment, or could be worn and the clock could need an overhaul or new movement.
    There is a star-shaped wheel on the handshaft which starts the lifting of the levers. One of the four points on this star is longer than the others; this enables the clock to strike the hours on the hour. If your clock makes a click, but does not chime on the hour, then doesn't even click on the other three quarters, it suggests that the lever assembly is not lifting high enough to trigger the chime. The numerous possible causes of this will take a clock repairer to diagnose and repair.