I'm creating a tower clock maintenance manual for the E. Howard Model 0 striking clock that I help to maintain and need clarity regarding the following:
At 35 minutes after each hour, something releases within the clock mechanism causing the fly fan to rotate about one turn. I have always assumed that this is what is known as the "warning" event, i.e., "a short run of the strike train prior to the actual strike". But a 25 minute heads-up seems a tad early for a strike warning. A colleague believes that this event is what's known as an "arming" event. In his words: "The roller is spun over to the drop plate that's on the other end of the snail follower arm. It's intended to reduce drag on the snail so the effect on the clock regulation is minimized."
Neither of us are horologists so are terminology is probably a bit off. But I hope our questions are clear:
- Paul -
At 35 minutes after each hour, something releases within the clock mechanism causing the fly fan to rotate about one turn. I have always assumed that this is what is known as the "warning" event, i.e., "a short run of the strike train prior to the actual strike". But a 25 minute heads-up seems a tad early for a strike warning. A colleague believes that this event is what's known as an "arming" event. In his words: "The roller is spun over to the drop plate that's on the other end of the snail follower arm. It's intended to reduce drag on the snail so the effect on the clock regulation is minimized."
Neither of us are horologists so are terminology is probably a bit off. But I hope our questions are clear:
- What's the purpose of the strike-train motion that occurs 35 minutes after each hour?
- When should the warning event take place?
- What actually happens within the clock mechanism during the warning event?
- Paul -