W.A. Schmid-Schlenker clock

[Greg R.]

Could you include a photo?

Greg

[Ralph]

If it is the clock I think it is, it is not a torsion clock, but is what I would call a conventional, but oversize jeweled lever escapement, driving a unique form of balance, two porcelain figures, through a torque tube. The torque tube runs in jewels.

Is this the clock?

Ralph

[John Hubby]

Hi Andy,

This is a 400-Day clock, but it's not a torsion clock. As Ralph points out the pendulum rides in jewels, and the actual motive force for it to turn back and forth is the hairspring at the top of the pendulum rod.

Setting these in beat is not particularly easy. They need to be treated like a "very" slow platform lever escapement, and if the lever is out of beat then you will need to reposition the balance hairspring to bring it in beat. I haven't worked on one of these for a while but following is the procedure I used last timeL

Let down the power on the mainspring. !! Carefully !! It is a monster you don't want to let loose. Turn the pendulum slightly and allow it to swing until it comes to rest. Now check the position of the impulse lever, which should be centered front to back. If it is off to one side or the other, the clock is out of beat.

The hairspring is mounted on a friction fit collet on the pendulum shaft. You can turn the collet with respect to the shaft, so that the impulse lever becomes centered.

With that done, wind the mainspring a few turns and start the pendulum turning by rotating it no more than 1/2 turn and releasing. Observe the action of the impulse lever and check the rotation of the pendulum. If it is in beat the same principle as a torsion pendulum applies, that the overswing to either side will be equal once the lever locks.

You may have to make small adjustments to bring it fully into beat but that should do the trick. If it still doesn't run look for something binding the pendulum shaft.

Hope this helps.

John Hubby, Secretary
The International 400-Day Clock Chapter #168

[Andy Cole]

Thanks for the replys Ralph and John. John,I think that I have already done what you have suggested. However, knowing me, I will certainly check again in a day or so. I thought surely this was a long running clock but was not sure. I will post again when I get it running. Thanks again,Andy