Setting strike on a 19'th century Seth Thomas

[Joecephus]

I recently purchased a Seth Thomas weight driven clock which I believe was made in 1884. Question- what is the proper way to set the strike on this clock? It is 4 hours off. For example, it strikes noon at 4. Thanks!

 

[Willie X]

It probably has/had a thin wire hanging down behind the dial, left of center. A slight tug, or upward push, will advance the strike one hour. Once the strike agrees with the hour hand, you would set the clock forward to time, allowing the strike to finish at each hour.

There are many variations, a good photo of the movement would allow for more specific instructions, if the above general instructions don't work.

Willie X

 

[Joecephus]

It probably has/had a thin wire hanging down behind the dial, left of center. A slight tug, or upward push, will advance the strike one hour. Once the strike agrees with the hour hand, you would set the clock forward to time, allowing the strike to finish at each hour.

There are many variations, a good photo of the movement would allow for more specific instructions, if the above general instructions don't work.

Willie X

Yes, there is a wire just to the left. I'll try that. Do you pull the wire anytime, or as the clock is striking? Thanks for the info!

 

[Bruce Barnes]

move the hour hand to correspond with the striking hour...........then stop the clock and restart at the appointed hour, e.g., strikes 2 at 6 stop and restart at 2 the next day.
Bruce #3

 

[Willie X]

There would be no reason to move the wire while the clock is striking ...

When you move the trip wire the strike will advance one hour, as already mentioned.

Willie X

 

[Bruce Barnes]

Willie X, my solution is if you don't have the trip wire,both ways will work.

 

[Mike Mall]

The instructions are on the label, bottom of this section.

 

[Joecephus]

The instructions are on the label, bottom of this section.

View attachment 691924

Yes, the instructions are there. It mentions using the wire to adjust the strike. But doesn't tell you how to do it.

 

[Mike Mall]

Yes, the instructions are there. It mentions using the wire to adjust the strike. But doesn't tell you how to do it.

It probably has/had a thin wire hanging down behind the dial, left of center. A slight tug, or upward push, will advance the strike one hour. Once the strike agrees with the hour hand, you would set the clock forward to time, allowing the strike to finish at each hour.

There are many variations, a good photo of the movement would allow for more specific instructions, if the above general instructions don't work.

Willie X

Follow Willie's instructions - by raising the wire as stated on the label.

In other words ... raise the wire then let it go, this should start the strike - then wait until it stops striking.
Repeat this until the strikes match the hour hand.

 

[Joecephus]

I got it figured out. Thanks everyone!

 

[Mike Mall]

That's great!

By the way I forgot to mention something that I should have - in case it happens again.

When the clock is between about 10 minutes before, until shortly after the hour, that wire won't work. The clock is getting ready to strike on it's own, and it's not going to strike for you.