Seth Thomas mantle clock erratic behaviour

[Stryker777]

Good afternoon. I am not a professional but I do enjoy fixing and collecting clocks. A friend left me one when he passed and I have been wanting to fix it. It is a Seth Thomas Country Cottage. The issue I am experiencing is, when the pendulum is at full swing, the minute hands moves a minute per swing. If I hold he pendulum up, the minute hand will spin non stop. Any advice or pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated.
Thanks
Brian

 

[Randy Beckett]

Re: Seth Thomas mantle clock irradic behaviour

Sounds like the anchor is too far away from he escape wheel allowing the escape wheel to freewheel. Continuing to try to run the movement this way will most probably cause damage to the escape wheel teeth, if it hasn't all ready. It is a good possibility that the escape wheel bushings are severely worn, since the movement runs away when lifting the pendulum, but only skips several teeth at a time when the pendulum swings. Run a toothpick through the plates and the escape wheel spokes to lock down the movement to keep it from trying to run further, then remove the movement from the clock and post pictures of it so we can possibly help you with the proper corrective advice.

 

[R. Croswell]

Re: Seth Thomas mantle clock irradic behaviour

What Randy said, and one other possibility being that someone attempting to adjust the escapement may have broken off one of the pallets so it only locks on one half of the swing.

 

[Stryker777]

Re: Seth Thomas mantle clock irradic behaviour

Thank you for the information. I will do as you recommended and post back. It could be a few days though. I appreciated your help!