Cuckoo Clock Question

[mlcampbell]

Is there a way to "finesse" one of the chains back on the drum/wheel/rachet (I probably got all three terms wrong) without taking the guts out of the clock?

It's got three chains/weights...the time and cuckoo parts still run. The chain than powers the dancers/music box ran off the track somehow.

This seemed to be a pretty easy fix until I actually started trying to do it.

Thanks in advance.

--Les

[Scottie-TX]

Yeah. You kin do it.
Now, before you start, secure the other one. Turn 'er upside down. Guide the chain thru it's hole to the chainwheel. Try to get two or three link to rest on cogs and begin turning chainwheel however you can. soon as chain has passed the top of the wheel or past, you're home free. Tedious, but worth it.

[wow]

You will need to remove the end (stop) opposite the hook end, and after you do what Scottie said, put the end back on.

[mlcampbell]

The chain is actually still around the shaft of the chain wheel, like a bike chain that's come off, it's not detached from the clock, so I'm working through two tiny little holes to try and get the thing back on.

I held the other two chains fast and turned the clock upside down, to try and free the third chain to go back over the wheel, but ran outta hands.

I suppose I could wire the other two in place...

[Len Lataille]

Yes, wire the other two sets of chains. You need all the hands that you can get and not have the other chains come off the wheels or you will have a real mess on your hands.

Then remove the back and work from there. If there is an opening on the side(s) that is even better. But most of the newer ones done have the side doors.

I believe that you will have a very difficult time working from the holes in the bottom of the case.

In any case you will have to remove the ring or the weight hook. You might work it back onto the wheel, as is, but there is little space and you could get it really jammed in the movement.

Good luck. It takes a lot of patience.

[mlcampbell]

I got it, but had to take the thing apart internally (the bellows, bird, etc).

Good news: All the chains are back on the wheels.

Bad news: the lever that runs the music box started off by playing for like three minutes ahead of the cuckoo at the hour (the half hour was spot on). It was being actuated a bit early, so I gently bent the little arm, now it's not actuating at all, not pressing down on the lever for the music box.

Still a work in progress, I guess. Thanks for all the assistance.

Is it really true that most clock repair shops won't mess with these things because of the trouble involved?

[shutterbug]

I've heard of several, but most repairmen will take them. After all, it seems Cuckoo's are quite popular, and refusing that much work doesn't make much business sense :)

[harold bain]

Cuckoos require patience, as most adjustments are trial and error. Music cuckoos are just cuckoos with more adjustments. The secret is in understanding how it works, so that you can tell why it doesn't.
Don't let it beat you, Les, you can do it!!!

[Berman]

I have a cuckoo clock that the chain has come totally off. Here is my question which side of the wheel do you restart the chain? From the front of the clock should the chain go up the right side and down the left? Or visa versa? Do the left and right wheels turn the same or opposite? Also does the chain loops need to be closed? This is a 8 day clock and the weights a very heavy, the links have opened over the years. What say ye?? Thanks for your assistance.

[harold bain]

Hi, Berman, welcome to the message board. You should close the links on your chains, or better still, replace the chains.
As for which side to start the chain, you should be able to get your finger in there from the back to see which way the wheel turns. On an eight day movement, the wheels turn in OPPOSITE directions, on a one day, the same direction.
Replacing the chains is easily accomplished by opening a link, and attaching the new chain to the old one, and pulling it through.

[bangster]

Hey Berman...
On my 8-days, the weights hang from the "outside" holes, the free chain from the "inside" holes.

bangster

[Bogey]

Unless I am extremely bored with the "standard" types of clocks, I won't take a cuckoo in for repair. I do clock repair as a hobby, though, so I'm sure I may rethink my position if this were my livelyhood.

The main reason I stay away from them is the time involved to repair a clock that in the end is often worth less than the repairs will actually cost. If someone is really desparate to have their cuckoo clock fixed, I will make sure ahead of time that they at least have an idea of what it may cost in the end. Most of the cuckoos I've repaired have been of more sentimental value, so the customers have been OK with the cost/value issue.

Some people just love their cuckoos :confused:.

[harold bain]

Bogey, on a modern cuckoo, replacing the movement is the most cost effective repair. An hour labor, and a clock you are comfortable giving a warranty on.