Help Chelsea Ship's Bell sticking strike

[Monte87]

Hi -
I have a lovely Chelsea Ship's Bell that was striking quite normally. But now it is striking only if I touch the hammer... The switch is on the strike position of course and I follow the directions from Chelsea on setting, winding, etc.

I can hear the warn and strike actions preparing as the clock runs. When it is time to strike, I observe the striking mechanism through the back cover hole. The hammer will be raised and ready to fall. If I gently touch the hammer or lever the clock runs through the proper strike sequence.

I didn't want to start indiscriminately oiling things so any suggestions on how to correct are greatly appreciated!

- thanks!

 

[Uhralt]

Maybe your clock has a power problem in the strike train so that the initial lift of the hammer is a problem. Perhaps it is time for a service of the clock?

Uhralt

 

[shutterbug]

That's what I suspect as well. Unless the hammer is in the raised position when the warning ends.

 

[Monte87]

That's what I suspect as well. Unless the hammer is in the raised position when the warning ends.

Yes, the hammer is in fact in the raised position when the warning ends... It's as if the hammer just get stuck in the raised position.

 

[Uhralt]

This means that the movement has been re-assembled slightly incorrectly on the strike side. The position of the wheels in relationship with each other needs to be corrected. At the end of the warning the hammer must still be in the resting position. If you are not familiar with assembling a striking clock it would be better to have a repair shop do this for you.

Uhralt

 

[shutterbug]

You could probably correct this one with the gathering pallet. The train needs to lock with the hammer down so the train can come to speed before it tries to lift the hammers. There shouldn't be any lifting during warning. Yours is probably stalling because it doesn't have enough oomph to overcome the strike return spring after the warning tensioned it.