Too tight GF clock

[RL]

Winding a three weight GF clock. Now it seems the time weight does not want to move and so the pendulum will not keep running. Anything I can do to fix the problem ? It is cable driven weights

 

[JTD]

Where is the time weight at the moment? At the bottom, top, midway? Is the clock wound with a key or by pulling the weights up by hand?

Some photos would be a great help.

JTD

 

[R. Croswell]

We need the info JTD requested. With cable connected weights that won't move, check for tangled up cable on the spool (bird nesting) and a cable that has jumped a pulley. Has this clock been working properly at this location? Has this clock perhaps been moved and this problem came to light while being setup at a new location? A bit more information about when this problem began may help.

RC

 

[RL]

Clock had just been re-wound to the top (all 3 weights-cable driven) with a crank type key
and yes the clock has been running,striking,chiming right where it sets now for several months. Was wandering if there was a couple of things I could try without having to go it to it. It does not have a removable back panel or a hood. On winding it felt like maybe i got the time weight too tight,although the pulley is visable as is the top of the weight and not jammed against anything,
Thanks for your replies.

 

[JTD]

Well, that is a little more information, but we still have no idea if you are dealing with a modern clock, an antique clock or what? Is there a name anywhere?

Was wandering if there was a couple of things I could try without having to go it to it.

You need at least to look at the cables as R. Crosswell suggests. If they are tangled that can stop it.

It does not have a removable back panel or a hood.

That sounds very odd. There must be some way of accessing the movement. Again, without photos, we are just guessing.

On winding it felt like maybe i got the time weight too tight.

Not quite sure what you mean by getting the ' time weight too tight'. It is possible you wound it so far up that it is jammed against the seatboard. Again you need to look and post some pics if you are not sure what you are seeing.

Please let us know more about the clock you are dealing with and post some photos.

JTD

 

[RL]

This clock was made by the Pearl clock co. They were in business in the 60's to the 80's They are similar to Howard Miller or Ridgeway with German Movement-most likely a Hermle The wood is nice and the clock is quite heavy. It has small side panels at the top on both sides.

 

[Willie X]

Take the weight off. If the pulley is jamed against the seat board you have wound your clock up past the stop. This can be difficult to correct.

Report back, Willie X

 

[R. Croswell]

Clock had just been re-wound to the top (all 3 weights-cable driven) with a crank type key
and yes the clock has been running,striking,chiming right where it sets now for several months. Was wandering if there was a couple of things I could try without having to go it to it. It does not have a removable back panel or a hood. On winding it felt like maybe i got the time weight too tight,although the pulley is visable as is the top of the weight and not jammed against anything,
Thanks for your replies.

So if I understand correctly, the clock was actually running normally when you wound it. In other words, you did not wind it because it had run down or stopped. Then imediately after winding, (not 30 minutes, or an hour or two later) the clock stopped running.

When you wound it, did you also move the minute hand to set the time?

Does the clock have a seconds bit? (I don't understand why you can't post some pictures of this clock).

As for things you can try "without having to go it to it", do this:

1) Make sure that none of the hands are contacting other hands. If not sure turn the hands anticlockwise until all the hands are clear.

2) If this clock has a seconds bit (hand) move the pendulum back and forth and notice if the seconds bit advances with each swing (if no seconds bit, listen carefully. Does the clock tick with each beat of the pendulum).

3) On some clocks with rack and snail strike, if the strike/chime side runs down while the clock is still running, sometimes the rack tail can lock against the 12-1 wall on the snail. turn the minute hand backward a full hour and see if the clock will start and run.

4) If you wound the clock so tight that something locked up, you might try turning the minute hand backward several hours. This will "unwind" the clock a little, then see if it will start. (It will not harm the clock to turn the hands backward if it is the type of clock that you seem to be describing).

5) Already mentioned, see if the cable is scrambled on the drum, or spilled off the edge of the drum. Apparently you cannot get inside to see this.

You may have to remove the hands and face to get inside. Something is wrong and it would seem to be related to the clock being wound and if you can't see the problem outside, then you need to find out how to get inside.

RC

4) m

 

[JayKosta]

If the pendulum can be kept moving by manually pushing it AND there are typical tic-toc sounds, then try keeping the pendulum in motion so it hopefully relaxes the tension on the cable. You would have to do this for at least about 5 minutes to determine if it has done any good.

 

[Willie X]

Turning the hands (backwards or fowards) will have no effect on the time train. Willie X

 

[R. Croswell]

N works

Turning the hands (backwards or fowards) will have no effect on the time train. Willie X

Will back up the motion works.

 

[RL]

Calling in reinforcements. TBD
Going to get another pair of eyes and hands involved.
Outcome will be a while.

 

[R. Croswell]

While I do no

Calling in reinforcements. TBD
Going to get another pair of eyes and hands involved.
Outcome will be a while.

While I do no consider myself an expert, you have dozens of other eyes and some of the most qualified clockmakers anywhere in the world right here, but if you are unwilling to share pictures and respond to detailed questions they can’t help. I feel sure that any qualified clock repair person will quickly identify the problem when he or she sees your clock..

RC

 

[RL]

Movement and dial were still intact within the clock. There was essentially nothing to take photos of that would have been beneficial to anyone.

 

[shutterbug]

You'll have to figure out how to either remove the dial or remove the movement so we can see what's happening. A video posted to Youtube and linked here would be especially helpful.

 

[JayKosta]

With weights jammed tight against the mounting boards, how does one go about removing them to remove the movement? Maybe the weight shells can be disassembled (bottom nuts?) and that might give some room to work.

 

[Jeff T]

take the weights apart or cut the cable as a last resort

 

[shutterbug]

You might be able to remove the pendulum and force the time train to run by pulling on the center weight. If that works, it will require some time for the weight to descend enough for removal.

 

[Willie X]

Do what Bugs just mentioned but remove the escapement pallet arbor. If the weight won't go down in a minute or less, the clock has been wound up past the stop. This problem is easily visable, if the dial plate is off. Just look at the stopworks cogs. If they are jamed together, thar's yer problem. You may be able to remove the screw and pry the stopwork cog off with a knife.

A single close-up photo of the time stopworks will tell the tale ...

We need some cooperation from your end. My crystal ball is available but it's low on minutes ...

Willie X