Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 10/9/2007

Question
QUESTION: A friend of mine gave me a wall pendulum clock. She has had it many years but never liked it for her owns reasons. My husband and I used the key and wound it. But it won't chime. We can see where the spring is moving but no sound. We believe the sound has been turned off. I know my cuckoo clock has a place to do that. But the lady who have it to me doesn't know. This is a very pretty clock and was bought over seas. I don't have the name with me at work. Can you help me.

ANSWER: really need the name of the clock and the type of movement to figure what to do. What "spring" is moving?? Probably the hammer that hits the gong is being held back by a lever of some kind but I need more info.....

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Sir;
The name of the clock is SHWA - 31 day clock. It was purchased in the 80's in Seoul South Keora. When I said "spring" I was talking about a spiral looking thing that the hammer hits.

It makes a very quiet sound. I have a cuckoo clock that has a little hook hanging down that you can pull that silences it.

The lady who gave this to me said she knew there was a silencer on it but couldn't remember where.

Can you help me. It is a beautiful clock whether we hear it or not. But we love to hear clocks, we also have a grandfather clock.

Thank you for your help;

Gloria

Answer
probably the hammer is being held back by a lever located in the area of the spiral gong and mounted to the wood backboard.Beyond that if the hammer is not moving to hit the gong - take it to a clock repair place that can actually look at it - should take 10 seconds to fix