Cuckoo Cuckoo Clock not Cuckooing

[johan.fourie]

Cuckoo Clock not Cuckooing
Good Day
I am new to the world of cuckoo clock repair - as this is something which I always wanted to do.

I bought a old clock which were not working.
a: The gears did not even wanted to turn
b. The Bellows needed replacing
c. Some cosmetic damages
I then proceeded and build new bellows (via a lot of trail and errors I might add) - But now have two light weight bellows. I then fixed the cosmetic changes (added new dials to the front, and replaced the top)
Then I got to the gears - and the previous owner decided to use grease on the mechanism.
Without opening the clock I cleaned the clock with a toothpick and a little bit of Q-25 (a type of spray oil that we use in South Africa to lubricate hinges) - This process took me quite a couple of evenings - but eventually I could get the gears running smoothly again - with the lightest of touch.

I then put everything back in place, including all the wires, bellows, and clock back into the case.
The cuckoo clock have now been running for the past 2 days - tick-tocking quite happily (the hammer falls as well to the gong at the back)
THE PROBLEM:
The cuckoo does not sound - and the cuckoo clock do not event attempt to cuckoo
It looks like the minute chain is working perfectly - and running down BUT
The hour chain is not moving downwards - but you can still wind the hour weight up - so it looks like that gear is working. (I tried cleaning now a couple of times, and even tried to set the beat, but that have no influence on the missing cuckooing)

Note: I am living in South Africa, and by the looks of it we have no official cuckoo clock parts sellers, so if I must order something from USA or Europe, the I will have to pay a big amount for the import shipping and import tax
Sorry if I do not use the correct terms - but I sincerely hope that you get the idea
I would appreciate any advice - or ideas

 

[Brian Smith]

I believe that the two chains are: one for the time mechanism (both minute and hour) and the other for the strike/cuckoo side. If your cuckoo does not work then that weight will not drop. New parts may not solve the problem... adjusting the existing parts could be the fix.

 

[johan.fourie]

Hi
Thank you very much
Hmm, looks like I have a lot to learn still
It is the cuckoo strike chain then that wind up, but do not want to go down on its own
I read somewhere that I must play around with the front of the cuckoo - where the "snail" part of the cuckoo is,
Or where do you suggest that I Tinker with?

 

[shutterbug]

It would be best to test the movement outside of the case. Then, if you can upload some pictures of the front of the movement we might be able to spot the problem.

 

[Tinker Dwight]

As Sbug says, you should remove the movement from the case
so you can look at it and possibly work on it.
It will help if you can start by posting pictures.
We can then point to the various parts that need
looking at.
Cuckoo clocks are actually quite complicate machines.
They not old have to count the strikes but also hold
the bird out while doing so.
We can walk you through how it works but it will
take some patience.
Tinker Dwight

 

[johan.fourie]

Hi There Thank you very much, I realized as such that it takes a lot of patience. But so-far it is extremely rewarding. Thank you for the help - I really appreciate it. I hope you can see the images (unfortunately I had to compress the photos to be able o upload it here. (The image on the left were before I started with the clock, image 2 is the back, image 3 the side of cuckoo and 3 the front)

 

[shutterbug]

You'll have to get it mounted on a test stand somehow, with weights in place. Then some closer pictures of the front would be good. Initial glance looks like the train is not moving at all, and the rack is in the lowered position.

 

[johan.fourie]

Hi
Thank you
Herewith are some additional photos
How did you spot that the train is not moving (approximately where can I have a look for the train - then I can possibly try and fix it)
And which is the optimal position for the rack in the front?

My Apologies it is night time here - so the photos do not come out great
I agree, will put it on the workbench tomorrow morning (South African Time) when there is more light Johan

 

[LaBounty]

The poor condition of at least one of the bellows tops will prevent the whistle(s) from making noise. If neither bellows is holding air, you won't hear any cuckoo sound.

Ahhh, I see the bellows have been replaced and the photo shows the "before" condition. You will have problems with clearance if the bellows tops, or whole whistles, aren't identical to the originals.

Good luck with it!

 

[harold bain]

You will have to study it long and hard until you understand how it works. No shortcuts to learning clock repair. Start with the minute arbor. Look at the cam that trips the cuckoo, and follow the levers.

 

[Tinker Dwight]

You'll want to mount the minute hand as well.
The strike train seems to be in mid action someplace
but it will be good to see things as Sbug says.
You may also need to tie a string to the lower
lift lever for the birds whistle as it can fall too far
and block the star wheel from turning, while on the
stand.
What I've done for a stand is a couple pieces of
scrap plywood screwed to the side of my work bench,
with any cutouts to clear part of the movement.
Tinker Dwight.

 

[johan.fourie]

Aah - That makes sense
Thank you
Will play a bit with the front part
I found a nice old article on nawcc - which I've printed now and see if I can get it going
https://mb.nawcc.org/showwiki.php?title=Rack_Strike_Elements

I agree - as per anything in life worth-while - it takes time to learn it! But somehow it is strangely satisfying when the clock first started to tick-tock
Thank you for all the advice I appreciate it
I will give feedback tomorrow night how it went
I like the idea of a work bench - shofar I've dismantled everything - including the chains - worked on the clock - put everything back together and tested it. So it's a Aaah and a Doh moment for me
Johan Fourie

 

[Tinker Dwight]

That is a good place to start.
The Cuckoo has the addition of the bird lever
that also has to work.
Don't force anything as the warning pin can be
broken off it not careful.
Tinker Dwight

 

[johan.fourie]

Just to give some feedback
I'm still having some fun with the Cuckoo
The Front lever on the rack is not releasing
I've tried to move the time forward with the front dial - but the mechanism still seems stuck at the "cuckoo" position
I've cleaned the cuckoo side now a clock a couple of times - and every-time I get some more "goo" out of the device.
Regards
Johan

 

[celticprince59]

Morning Johan,

What part of SA are you in?

 

[johan.fourie]

Hi
I'm Staying in Moreleta Park (Pretoria East)
Too be honest I'm having alot of fun with the fixing of this clock
It is alot of trial and error
I see you are staying in Cape Town

 

[johan.fourie]

Hi
I finally got the rack and snail moving as well - witht the Lifting lever,snail, and hour wheel now un-clogged
THe issue that I now have is that the Cuckoo arm is not turning back and forth. I've cleaned everything as much as I can - but still have the issue.
Does anybody have advice what I must do to get this arm turning when the lifting arm clicks?
I would appreciate any advice
Regards
Johan

 

[shutterbug]

by 'cuckoo arm' I'm guessing you mean the perch that the bird sits on. It has a spring on the bottom end that retracts it back into the house. That spring must be unhooked, not wrapped enough, or broken.

 

[johan.fourie]

Hi
Thank you
Do you perhaps have a image of where this spring should be?
Thank you
Johan

 

[shutterbug]

Here's one example. They are all similar.

 

[johan.fourie]

Hi
Thank you - salvaged one from a toy - and got it working
Thank you for everybody's help
COOOOOOOL!!!