loose friction clutch

[john foote]

I have a new Urgos UW58 in which the beat is set with a friction clutch. it appears that the verge is steel and it slides between the clutch disks which are black plastic. the slightest movement of the clock (even starting and stopping the pendulum) changes the beat of the clock. what can i do to tighten the clutch?

[john foote]

I have a new Urgos UW58 in which the beat is set with a friction clutch. it appears that the verge is steel and it slides between the clutch disks which are black plastic. the slightest movement of the clock (even starting and stopping the pendulum) changes the beat of the clock. what can i do to tighten the clutch?

[David Holk]

This sounds like an automatic beat adjustor. You simply swing the pendulum all the to one side and release it and the clock should begin ticking evenly.

David

[timerider]

I personally am not fond of these beat adjusters, and often push the brass collar a little tighter so that the beat can be set manually.

TheTimeKeepingShop@msn.com

[doug sinclair]

John,

As David and Timerider have mentioned in their posts, this arrangement works quite well as a rule, and they are intended to be loose! The intention being, upon starting the clock, to swing the pendulum all the way to one side of the case and to release it. Between the time that you release the pendulum, and the time it reaches normal amplitude, the escapement will set itselt pretty close to dead on. Problem! Once in a while you run into a case that is too narrow, and with too big a pendulum bob for this feature to work! Then, you have no choice but to set it manually.

A caution! If you overtighten that clutch, it might be possible to damage escape wheel teeth when starting the clock in the manner the manufacturer recommends. If you tighten the clutch, be satisfied with "a bit tighter".

Doug S.

[john foote]

thank you doug, timerider, and david. i was not aware of an automatic beat adjuster and no instructions from the manufacturer or supplier were included.