Westminster chime reassembly

[Davel831]

Good morning all,
I am pretty new to the world of Horology and currently i have cleaned and serviced one one train and three two trains.

I was literally given a granddaughter Clock with a eight day movement three train made by Davall, and i have started to take this apart and it suddenly dawned on me this is my first three train clock and what is the reassembly procedure?

I understand the relationship of resetting the snail and rack and flute, but how do i incorporate the extra train into this as there must be a sequence to ensure smooth running of the chimes?

Sorry for the daft questions but i will be cleaning the movement as it was dirty and is covered in grime, cleaning the springs and looking for any issues.

I have included some pictures and any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

thank you again for taking the time to read this

Kind regards Dave

 

[shutterbug]

In many ways, three train movements are easier than two train movements. Most of the adjustments can be made after everything is back together. I would advise you to go ahead with your service just like if it were a two train, and when you have it back together we can help you with the final adjustments. You can do this

 

[Davel831]

Hi all
Many thanks for the support and advice clock is back cleaned and working!

My only issue now is the chimes sounds dreadful !
It has four chime rods so I am guessing it would be best to deplane all of them ?

My thoughts are how do I do this?

Many thanks beforehand

Regards Dave

 

[chimeclockfan]

Check that the chime hammer leathers have not gone rotten. Also ensure the hammers are striking each rod squarely and in-line, fine adjustments are always needed to get the sound right. If the chime rods are damaged or broken you'll have to find another set of rods.

 

[Davel831]

Hi
Thank you yes leathers all replaced and hitting rods ok.
looking like I will replace all four just looking now for a replacement supplier

dave

 

[wow]

Hi
Thank you yes leathers all replaced and hitting rods ok.
looking like I will replace all four just looking now for a replacement supplier

dave

Dave, could you make a video of it chiming and post it here? We may be able to help you without your having to buy new rods.
Will

 

[bikerclockguy]

In many ways, three train movements are easier than two train movements. Most of the adjustments can be made after everything is back together. I would advise you to go ahead with your service just like if it were a two train, and when you have it back together we can help you with the final adjustments. You can do this

Would you give the same advice to someone attempting their first Seth Thomas 124 rebuild? I’ve been kicking the idea around for a couple of months; have one on my shelf but haven’t worked up the courage to try it.

 

[wow]

Would you give the same advice to someone attempting their first Seth Thomas 124 rebuild? I’ve been kicking the idea around for a couple of months; have one on my shelf but haven’t worked up the courage to try it.

Biker, I just put one back together and have it on my bench now adjusting the chime. They are boogers but doable. Conover’s chime book is a must for that one .Shutt has forgotten more about the 124 than I know altogether. Dive in. We’ll try to rescue you.

 

[bikerclockguy]

Biker, I just put one back together and have it on my bench now adjusting the chime. They are boogers but doable. Conover’s chime book is a must for that one .Shutt has forgotten more about the 124 than I know altogether. Dive in. We’ll try to rescue you.

Thanks, Will! I have Conover’s Chime Clock Repair(bought it by mistake in my early days when I didn’t realize that a chime clock and a striking clock were 2 different animals.) I have several projects to finish, both clock and gun-related, before I’m ready to dive into that one, but good to know the cavalry is nearby when I do.

 

[Davel831]

Hi All
So i adjusted all the hammers and appear to have a good tone bia one rod! Please have a look at the following clip. If this is the case my thoughts are i will have to replace all of them, as this looks like a previous owner has just replaced one rod?
Then if i do have to replace all of them as they are all threaded, how easy or hard to do this? Any tips or good suggestions to enable this please?

IMG_3544.MOV

Regards Dave

 

[chimeclockfan]

It's usually more beneficial to throw in a new set of rods altogether. You'll have to get the old rods out first. An impact driver and vice are especially useful for this job, then we can go from there.

 

[Davel831]

Hi
Thank you i will locate a new set of Rods and a impact driver.

Many thanks

Dave

 

[wow]

Yes. Someone has changed the rods. Wrong notes. As CCF suggested, just buy a new set.

 

[shutterbug]

It would bug me too, being out of tune like that. Most of the usual suppliers have tuned sets, but the quality of the rods have gone downhill in recent years.

 

[MuseChaser]

?

IMG_3544.MOV

Regards Dave

Ok...that was about the best thing I have ever heard. I've got two chimers that sound beautiful, two "bim-bams" that also sound pretty good, and a bunch of strikers that range from pleasant to gong of doom to garbage can crash. I am now officially in search of a less-than-valuable chiming clock to intentionally create the most bizarre, out of tune, atonal, nonsensical chime I can compose. You, my friend, have sent me on a quest. Your video clip... I laughed...I cried....it became a part of me. If I had a clock that sounded like that, I'd never change it.

 

[wow]

Ok...that was about the best thing I have ever heard. I've got two chimers that sound beautiful, two "bim-bams" that also sound pretty good, and a bunch of strikers that range from pleasant to gong of doom to garbage can crash. I am now officially in search of a less-than-valuable chiming clock to intentionally create the most bizarre, out of tune, atonal, nonsensical chime I can compose. You, my friend, have sent me on a quest. Your video clip... I laughed...I cried....it became a part of me. If I had a clock that sounded like that, I'd never change it.

Well, if that is your quest, it should be easy. Just start snipping off ends of rods till you create an atonal chord. Doesn’t appeal to me but “to each his own”!

 

[chimeclockfan]

...and a bunch of strikers that range from pleasant to gong of doom to garbage can crash.

Oscar the Grouch might be interested in an investment.

 

[wow]

Oscar the Grouch might be interested in an investment.

LOL