temperamental 30-hour novelty clock movement

[purpledog]

hi, i just have got a novelty clock from ebay. when listed, it says the movements ticks for a while when wound. when i move the movement, the balance wheel moves and turns, but the moment i rest it, the wheel stops. Later I realise when I put the movement with the dial facing down, the movement will tick for hours without stopping. But the moment I move it from that position, the movement stops. I know my question may sound crazy, but does this tell what is wrong with the movement, other than it is dirty? But then if the movement is dirty, why does it tick when placed in a certain position and not in other positions? Thank you. PD

 

[purpledog]

hi, i just have got a novelty clock from ebay. when listed, it says the movements ticks for a while when wound. when i move the movement, the balance wheel moves and turns, but the moment i rest it, the wheel stops. Later I realise when I put the movement with the dial facing down, the movement will tick for hours without stopping. But the moment I move it from that position, the movement stops. I know my question may sound crazy, but does this tell what is wrong with the movement, other than it is dirty? But then if the movement is dirty, why does it tick when placed in a certain position and not in other positions? Thank you. PD

 

[kenknox]

On certain 30 hour movements there is an adjusting screw on one end of the balance wheel..Quite possibly on yours there is quite a bit of slack on the balance staff and tightening this up should improve things..a drop of oil on each end is a good idea also. I tighten up till the balance wheel just stops and then back it off just a bit.

I hope this helps,

Kenny

 

[shutterbug]

You'll probably want to take it down and do a good cleaning before oiling. Do some serious reading on how to oil the floating balance before you do anything. Oil in the wrong place will make matters much worse.