Help FMS movement constantly strikes.

[cjer]

Hi, This FMS movement continues to strike and does not stop. I can see that the last tooth on the rack is smaller than the rest and does not allow the gathering pallet (?) to advance to the last tooth on the rack. I have also been adjusting the spring tension on the rack (last picture) with occasional but not lasting success. What would be the correct fix to this problem.
Thank you so much,
Jerry

 

[bruce linde]

can you pls provide a picture from farther back that shows the entire front of the movement and rack assembly/setup?

 

[cjer]

can you pls provide a picture from farther back that shows the entire front of the movement and rack assembly/setup?

Bruce, here is photo of entire front of movement.
Thanks, Jerry

 

[bruce linde]

thx. i think the arm on the gathering pallet is supposed to come to rest against the post on the far left of the rack. if that last tooth is, as you say, too small to allow the final resetting of the rack to its proper position, you may need to replace it. i'm thinking the same procedure that works for replacing teeth on brass gears would work here, but you probably want to use steel (and not brass)... and filing into the right shape might take a little more effort.

the spring just makes sure the rack drops when it's supposed to... but that's not going to help you here.

i don't think i've ever seen a worn/smaller first tooth like that, but you want 'em all even, yes?

 

[dickstorer]

Jerry, could you make a short video and post it? Or feel free to bring it over. I am not sure I agree about all the teeth being the same. The last tooth being smaller is what gets you a strike on the half hour. But maybe it is OK because all do not strike on the half. Need more info

 

[tracerjack]

Just for my own education, could someone point out what part is acting as the rack hook? Is it the brass collar on the upper left, silver T shaped lever?

 

[shutterbug]

The design makes me think there's a stop pin between the plates, and unless the hook is in the large gap below the lower tooth it can't lock. The issue appears to be something preventing the gathering of the last tooth. A video posted to Youtube and linked here would be most helpful. It might be the shape of that lower tooth (not the height) that is the problem. It has a pretty nasty hook on the end of it.

 

[tracerjack]

Yes, would love to see this one in action. Design I’ve never seen before.

 

[cjer]

Here is a video of strike mechanism. This clock does strike on the half hour.

 

[disciple_dan]

In the very first picture, the pin on the gathering pallet looks like out has a flat side. Does that need to turned or adjusted some how?

 

[bruce linde]

why did you stop short before the video showed it not catching the short rack tooth?

the gathering pallet end that interacts with (and slowly resets) the rack looks short to me... might be simpler to make a new gathering pin thingey than mess with the rack. also, i have a bunch of rack and snail movements (from vienna regulator to tall case) that strike on the half hour because a pin lifts the rack hook just enough to slip on tooth... regardless of tooth size.

i think the teeth should be even, the gathering pallet tooth should be longer, we need to see the full cycle, and that something behind the hour and minute cannons lifts the rack release arm which pushes up the rack hook on the left.... you need to observe and grok how that all works.

more video, please (now that you've got it down!)

 

[Dick Feldman]

It looks to me like the pin on the inside of the gathering pallet (or whatever advances the rack) is bent or something and not advancing the rack far enough.
Notice in the video that the teeth on the rack are not advancing enough for about the last four strikes.
The detent pin is riding on the top of teeth for the last several strikes.
There is no reason to build a new gathering pallet as that one worked fine for many years.
I do not know of ever having to replace one due to wear.
Usually the problem is adjustments by amateurs.
For kicks, apply a little pressure to the lever that stops the rack and see it it locks on each tooth.
That is a very simple and workable system, not anything unusual or rare.
The strike train seems to be running very slow. which indicates lack of power.
I would check that train for wear at the pivot holes.
It probably will become unreliable soon.
If possible, take it to the other Dick as suggested.
I am sure he can figure it out quickly.
JMHO
Dick

 

[shutterbug]

The pin that holds the rack in place during the strikes does appear to have been altered. And that lower tooth looks bent outward, which prevents it from being "counted" so the strike can end. I think as a starting place, I'd pull that tooth straight, so the point is not bent over.