Gustav Becker Tall Clock Strike Problem

[wilhelm2]

I recently purchased a Gustav Becker tall clock. I have cleaned the movement and have reassembled it. The time side works fine but the strike side is my problem. With the heavy weight attached the strike does not work properly the weight pulls the mechanism too fast and the weight fall uncontrolled. I have another Becker tall clock but the works are different. This works has a square hole in the front plate that holds the count for the rack. It also has two wheels at the bottom of the works that I thought originally were just guides for the weight chains but I am beginning to wonder if they have something to do with slowing down the fall of the weight on the strike side. I would appreciate any info you can give me. I will try to attach photos.

 

[Richard T.]

Do you mean that the weight just continues to fall? Can you clarify that?

I have seen the two "wheels" that you are talking about and they are guides for the chain. Looking at your photo I can't tell if they actually line up with the sprocket or not. Are they turned the correct way?

The square hole in the front plate.....are you talking about where the gathering pallet is fitted and picks up the rack? Was this just indicating a difference to your other movement?

Best,

Richard t.

 

[wilhelm2]

Do you mean that the weight just continues to fall? Can you clarify that?

I have seen the two "wheels" that you are talking about and they are guides for the chain. Looking at your photo I can't tell if they actually line up with the sprocket or not. Are they turned the correct way?

The square hole in the front plate.....are you talking about where the gathering pallet is fitted and picks up the rack? Was this just indicating a difference to your other movement?

Best,

Richard t.

Yes, the weight falls and the strike mechanism just isn't able to control the rate of fall of the weight. You are right the two wheels that are weight guides do not line up exactly but I have tried them both ways and they don't line up when turned around either.
-> posts merged by system <-
Richard, I forgot to answer a part of your question. The gathering pallets do come through the square hole I mentioned.

 

[John Hubby]

Wilhelm, the two wheels are guides as Richard has said, and they are installed backwards. They should line up reasonably with the chain tracks on the two winding arbors. Also, they will have no effect on the speed at which the strike train is running.

What I think is the problem is that the fly on the strike train that regulates the strike speed is not opening up, or possibly it is slipping on the arbor. If you look, there are two weights on the fly, and two spring-loaded "wings". When the fly starts turning, these weights should swing outward or cause the wings of the fly to move outward. If they are not doing this then the fly will turn far too fast and that gives the effect of a runaway.

One question, does the strike train stop when the correct number of strikes have been made? Does it strike at all? If not there are other problems that will need to be checked out.

 

[wilhelm2]

John, Thank you. The fly was loose on the arber. Works fine now.

Bill Hierstein

 

[John Hubby]

Bill, that's good news! One more question, is there a serial number on the back of the movement? It will be near the bottom of the back plate underneath the Becker anchor logo and the P112.

Also, will appreciate if you could post photos of the full clock, dial, and gong rod assembly for documentation. May be able to find the actual model from one of the GB catalogs.

 

[wilhelm2]

John, Attached are the pictures you requested of my Becker clock. I took one with my two assistants standing next to the clock to give you perspective on the height of the case.

I have also enclosed some pictures of a Fredrick Mauthe and Son Clock that is similar.

 

[John Hubby]

John, Attached are the pictures you requested of my Becker clock. I took one with my two assistants standing next to the clock to give you perspective on the height of the case.

I have also enclosed some pictures of a Fredrick Mauthe and Son Clock that is similar.

Bill, thanks very much for posting the photos. I like your assistants! Future Clockmakers of America?

Based on the serial number, your clock was made in third quarter 1925, just over six months before Junghans took over GB operations. I didn't find the exact model in any of the GB catalogs to which I have access, but many similarities to clocks made in the mid-1920's. There are at least two more GB catalogs yet to be published by Victor Tang, perhaps one of those will have the same model illustrated.

Thanks for posting the Mauthe also, I'm sure there are Mauthe fans here on the Message Board who can provide dating and other info for you.

Couple more questions:

• Does the movement have single strike using countwheel, bim-bam striking, or rack strike?
• Is this a rod gong or coil gong? If rod, how many rods?
• What information is on the Gong? These usually had a name or initials cast into the gong mounting base.

A photo of the gong would be appreciated!

 

[wilhelm2]

Bill, thanks very much for posting the photos. I like your assistants! Future Clockmakers of America?

Based on the serial number, your clock was made in third quarter 1925, just over six months before Junghans took over GB operations. I didn't find the exact model in any of the GB catalogs to which I have access, but many similarities to clocks made in the mid-1920's. There are at least two more GB catalogs yet to be published by Victor Tang, perhaps one of those will have the same model illustrated.

Thanks for posting the Mauthe also, I'm sure there are Mauthe fans here on the Message Board who can provide dating and other info for you.

Couple more questions:

• Does the movement have single strike using countwheel, bim-bam striking, or rack strike?
• Is this a rod gong or coil gong? If rod, how many rods?
• What information is on the Gong? These usually had a name or initials cast into the gong mounting base.

A photo of the gong would be appreciated!

John, again thank you for the help. I am attaching a picture of the gong as you requested.

• It is a single strike with a rack and snail.
• It strikes on four rods
• The name cast into the gong is Harfer (it may be the old style fractor s instead of an f. It read "Harfer-Gong" with the letters "GB" below.