Hamburg American Pendulum Leader

[Jasonraser]

I believe I have correctly identified my clock and need advice on finding a pendulum leader to repair it.

It has the crossed arrows logo like Hamburg American Company. The original tag on the back says No. 585 which I believe to be the model number because I saw one with the same tag on Ebay. It's an 8 day clock that chimes on the half hour and the hour. On the time piece there are these numbers .05/27 then 360 right below it. I don't know what these numbers mean.

I made lots of efforts to balance the clock and it would run for 5 minutes then miss a beat causing the pendulum to stop.

Can someone confirm the name of the part that the pendulum hangs on. I think it's called the pendulum leader, but I could be talking about the tension spring. I see this part in the Timesaver's catalog on page 13. It has a brass barrel that the pendulum hangs on which is connected to a piece of metal that connects to a paper thin piece of metal. That paper thin piece of metal is torn about half way through. I'm assuming that the pendulum would swing until the tear caused it to get out of beat.

I need to replace this part, or fabricate a new one. It's 4.75 inches in overall length.

Does anyone know of a supplier of Hamburg American parts?

If I have to fabricate my own part I figure I'll just buy a feeler guage at Sears and make the part out of the correct size feeler guage. Would this work, or would it just cause me more troubles?

I could take it to a repair shop, but I think it will be musch more satisfying if I fix it myself.

Thanks for any advice you have.

[Jasonraser]

I believe I have correctly identified my clock and need advice on finding a pendulum leader to repair it.

It has the crossed arrows logo like Hamburg American Company. The original tag on the back says No. 585 which I believe to be the model number because I saw one with the same tag on Ebay. It's an 8 day clock that chimes on the half hour and the hour. On the time piece there are these numbers .05/27 then 360 right below it. I don't know what these numbers mean.

I made lots of efforts to balance the clock and it would run for 5 minutes then miss a beat causing the pendulum to stop.

Can someone confirm the name of the part that the pendulum hangs on. I think it's called the pendulum leader, but I could be talking about the tension spring. I see this part in the Timesaver's catalog on page 13. It has a brass barrel that the pendulum hangs on which is connected to a piece of metal that connects to a paper thin piece of metal. That paper thin piece of metal is torn about half way through. I'm assuming that the pendulum would swing until the tear caused it to get out of beat.

I need to replace this part, or fabricate a new one. It's 4.75 inches in overall length.

Does anyone know of a supplier of Hamburg American parts?

If I have to fabricate my own part I figure I'll just buy a feeler guage at Sears and make the part out of the correct size feeler guage. Would this work, or would it just cause me more troubles?

I could take it to a repair shop, but I think it will be musch more satisfying if I fix it myself.

Thanks for any advice you have.

[LaBounty]

Hi Jasonraser-

The paper thin piece the pendulum leader hangs on is called the suspension spring. Timesavers has these in their catalog but I'd have to do a little more research to tell you which one to use. Thickness in these isn't as important as the distance between the pin in the lower block and the hole in the upper. If you plan on fixing a lot of clocks you may be better off buying an assortment since this is the most commonly damaged piece of a clock movement.

I'll keep an eye on your post to see if someone narrows it down for you before I get a chance.

David.

[LaBounty]

Hey Jasonraser-

Just to clarify a few things...

The suspension spring is the thin metal strap at the top of the pendulum leader. Sometimes it is permanently affixed to the leader and sometimes it is a separate piece.

The pendulum leader is the piece hanging from the suspension spring that the pendulum attaches to.

If you have the one piece suspension spring/leader you can do one of two things. Replace the spring with the proper thickness, width, and length spring steel or look through supply catalogs to find a proper one piece replacement. Timesavers has them as well as most of the other supply houses. They will also have suspension spring stock for you to make your own should you choose that route.

In my earlier post I assumed you had the two piece suspension spring and leader but as I look over your post, I'm not so sure.

Sorry for any confusion! Let us know which type you have not only to ease my confusion, but so we can help you further.

Thanks, David.

[Jasonraser]

It's a two piece leader. The suspension spring is attached to the leader with a brass clip that attaches through a square hole.

Thanks for the help. I'm going to send an e-mail to timesavers today.

Once I get this piece bought/fabricated, it hangs between a brass part (don’t know the name) that causes the leader and pendulum to be square. I expect that I can gently bend that with needle nose pliers. Is that a very sensitive part? Should I try to replace it with a new part if possible?

Jason

[LaBounty]

Thanks for the clarification! I thought the two piece affair was correct but wasn't 100% sure HA didn't make an odd one here or there.

I think, Jason, you are refering to the crutch foot that the leader passes through to attach to the suspension spring. Adjusting this towards one side or the other is how you set the beat. They aren't normally bent since I think the Hamburg American's anchor is friction fit and adjustable. Maybe Phil could confirm for me since I don't have one handy to look at? If they aren't adjustable at the anchor, then yes, you would have to gently bend the crutch being careful to keep it square to the movement and not twisted.

Sounds like you are getting there!

David.

[Jasonraser]

Thank you all for your help.

I separated the tension spring from the leader and laid it on the timesavers catalog page 17. My spring is 1 3/16 long by 1/4 wide. Their spring is 1 1/4 long by 3/16, so I think that will work. I'll order it and let you know what happens.

By the way, I balanced the clock on the bench and it ticks just fine. Since it doesn't have the pendulum connected it runs about twice as fast as it should. Is there any problem with letting it run like that for a day or two just to see if it keeps running. Will I hurt it?

What's the best repair book for a beginner to buy. This is fun.

Thanks,
Jason

[Jasonraser]

I haven't had time to work on my clock, but I'm back at it again.

I'm trying to balance the mechanism still. The clock will tick for days on the bench, but I have to prop up one side about 3/8 of an inch.

To adjust this I'm using three screws at the top of the mechanism. Two on the back and one on the front. If I loosen the two on the back I can raise the pallets (I think that's what they are called) or lower them. If I raise the pallets too high the clock starts running away. If I lower them too much the clock obviously doesn't tic.

Does anyone have a rule of thumb on how to properly adjust this.

I'll try to include pictures in this post.

I'm still having fun. Thanks.

Jason

http://home.nyc.rr.com/jasonscars/picture12_jpg http://home.nyc.rr.com/jasonscars/picture_13.jpg

[Jasonraser]

http://home.nyc.rr.com/jasonscars/clock%20pictures.htm

Edited to change to a url. Caution, these pictures are slow loading.

[This message was edited by Phil Schilke on March 30, 2003 at 17:18.]

[jacks61fd]

Jasonraser you are trying to make the adjustment in the wrong place-reset the pallets into the escape wheel and tighten those three screws.The adjusment has to be made with the crutch-the part coming off the pallet arbor(Verge)down and out the back of your movement.As stated previously by labounty this part is friction fit on the verge arbor and is adjustable side to side-looking at your clock push or bend the crutch toward the side you have raised 3/8 inch-a little at a time this should bring it into beat. JACK