Clock Ticking Too Loud

[bbodnyk]

Sometime ago I gave my daughter a mantle clock that belonged to my Grandmother. She has it on her mantle but doesn't run it because she says it ticks too loudly. Has anyone ever done anything to sound proof a clock maybe by lining the inside of the case with foam or something that would deaden the sound?

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[Rob P.]

I don't think that adding anything to the case will reduce the sound. It might but I doubt it mainly because the clock is designed to be a soundboard for the chime/gong.

Another additional thing might be that the mantle itself is adding to the noise volume by directing the sound outward into the room.

Not running the clock will not hurt it. It will actually preserve it since it will get no wear on the moving parts. I have several clocks that I do not run which are capable of doing so. Some haven't run in so long I will need to service them before I put them into use.

You could possibly tell her that she will eventually learn to "ignore" the ticking and might actually learn to enjoy the sound of the gong each hour. I have an Ingraham that sits & runs on a desk that's right next to the chair where I read in the evenings. I don't hear it at all unless I listen for it.

 

[doug sinclair]

Perhaps you might ask her if she would prefer a silent, boring battery powered clock. If she answers in the affirmative, then buy her one, and take the "noisy" one back! Sounds like she has no interest in the antique.

 

[shutterbug]

The ticking is a result of drops. The more drop, the louder the ticking. You might be able to reduce the drops by moving the anchor closer to the EW. If that is not enough, rubber grommets under the mounting feet would separate it from the board, which serves as a sound board.

 

[lpbp]

Putting felt or cork washers to the mountings where they attach to the case will help. You will have to remove the hands then the screws where it attaches to the case to do this. It may not make a lot of difference but worth a try if she wants it running.

 

[stewey]

Would some Roxall insulation help to "dampen" the sound? NOT the pink stuff: Roxall. Anyway, I tend to agree with doug sinclair if she's not really appreciating the clock. That should be Roxul. Look it up: it's well known for its sound absorbance. http://www.roxul.com/residential/create+a+quiet+home

 

[stewey]

I guess that I should add that I'm not suggesting "insulating' the entire inside of the case, merely, if there is room, double tape a couple or so "blocks" of Roxul in the case where they will not come in contact with the movement.

 

[bbodnyk]

I think we have to be sensitive to the fact that not everyone is into mechanical timepieces the same way members of this forum are. My daughter does appreciate the fact that the clock is her GreatGrandmothers it is just too loud for her. Ironically a few years back when my son was living with me I constantly kept a number of pocket watches running in a display case on my mantle. I couldn't hear the ticking of them as my hearing is starting to go and I suffer from tinnitus but my son could and it drove him crazy; so to speak.

I asked her to bring it home to me next time she drives down from Boston and I will try a few of the suggestions.

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[sewers0000]

WD-40?

 

[lpbp]

Tell me you're kidding.

WD-40?

 

[shutterbug]

That's a Bad word in these here parts, pilgrim!

WD-40?

 

[Rob P.]

Sumbuddy git a rope....

 

[R. Croswell]

WD-40?

It may take a few day but WD-40 will make it quiet.......................after it turns to glue and stops the clock!

Rubber grommets under the mounting lugs are minimally effective, For best results the holes in the lugs need to be opened so the grommet is in the hole (rubber top, bottom, and inside. Put a washer under the screw head. There needs to be no metal or wood contact with the mounting lug for best result. Check first that the center shaft is long enough to get the hands on without striking the dial after the grommets are added. I would first check the drops as suggested. I'm afraid that your daughter just does not like mechanical sounds. Perhaps she can put the clock in a less used room and try to get used to it a little at a time but I would not bet the farm on it. Some people just don't like a ticking clock. (my mother was one of them)

RC

 

[Bruce Alexander]

Even the ticking noise from inexpensive quartz movements irritate/annoy some people. You can always find amusing threads which discuss how to quiet these kinds of clocks. See: http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/04/hacker-help-any-idea-how-to-stop-a-clock-from-clicking.html for a few chuckles.

Buy her a nice digital (or silent analog) clock and keep/enjoy the Heirloom until you can find a good home for it. There are some nice quiet battery-powered reproductions if she likes the look of an antique clock. Some automatically sync with atomic clock signals and adjust for daylight savings time.

 

[shutterbug]

Even the ticking noise from inexpensive quartz movements irritate/annoy some people. You can always find amusing threads which discuss how to quiet these kinds of clocks. See: http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/04/hacker-help-any-idea-how-to-stop-a-clock-from-clicking.html for a few chuckles.

Unbelievable! People actually go there for advise?
For a few dollars more, you can get a sweep seconds quartz movement. They are silent.

 

[Bruce Alexander]

Yep! My favorite is the anonymous response to the poster who confused the second hand with the minute hand and complained that telling time after removing the "second hand" would require some "mantal effort" :cyclops:

I saw one a few years back which I can no longer locate online. As I recall, some of the suggestions were also to remove the battery, place the clock in a closet, or put it outside...and as far as I could tell they were all serious "how to" suggestions.

 

[shutterbug]

I also liked the one advising to take the back of the movement off and spray it with WD-40. Also the one advising to fill the movement with silicone or something like that. The most practical suggestion was to remove the wheel that increments the seconds. I'll have to look into that

 

[GregS]

Even the ticking noise from inexpensive quartz movements irritate/annoy some people. You can always find amusing threads which discuss how to quiet these kinds of clocks. See: http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/04/hacker-help-any-idea-how-to-stop-a-clock-from-clicking.html for a few chuckles.

HA HA! I know where I'm going next time I have a problem with a hairspring!


of course there's no place like home.......

 

[Jerrit Vanderzwan]

Try to adjust the drop. Is the escapement on the outside of the plates? Please post photos of the movement.

 

[Chuck Small]

FYI, I tried foam insulation on the inside of a large Ansonia one time. Did not silence it one bit. Like someone said, try rubber washers on the mountain feet. Lot of the sound probably transfers from the movement to the case. Personally, I like a ticking clock because it breaks up my tinnitus. It is my wife who objects a little bit.

 

[Dave Diel]

I have heard of some people that are crazy enough about clocks that they have a grandfather clock next to their bed. Unfortunately, we sold it just before Christmas and now I have the darndest time getting to sleep.

 

[stewey]

NewbieCharlie, it has to be ROXUL insulation. Not the pink stuff.

 

[Chuck Small]

NewbieCharlie, it has to be ROXUL insulation. Not the pink stuff.

I used the solid, white styrofoam in a loud black mantel Ansonia. Didn't silence it any that I could tell, but it did seem to get louder when I removed it (go figure). Hard to say if it did or did not. Anyway, like I said, I like a ticking clock, because it makes my tinnitus (ringing in the ears) less noticeable to me.

 

[Nicko]

You need heavy material to stop sound penetration. Lining the case with lead sheet should do it, but lead is considered toxic and probably not recommended. It will also break up the sounding board effect of the case.
Failing lead, there are products that are used for sound dampers in car doors. That's quite heavy and should work. Then there is the problem of attaching it non destructively to the inside of the case.
I've never tried it but its the first thing that that's spring to mind. Foam is a waste of time. It will absorb sound and create an echo less clock interior, but most of the sound just goes right through it.