Wood movement escape wheel skipping a tooth

[Dennism]

Hi all wood movement guys, I have a problem with a terry style movement. It is installed in a case that I made from a George Bruno plan. The movement runs and I can get in beat with no problem. Approx every 60-90 seconds it sounds as if the escape wheel is skipping a tooth. Sometimes two or three times a few seconds apart then returns to normal. As you can see, it has been rebuilt sometime in the past with brass bushings. I have taken it apart twice looking for anything that is binding..cant see anything.

I am pretty good at making repairs to this type movement but I just don't understand the geometry of this escapement well enough to monkey with it without guidance. Suggestions please. Thanks, Dennis
e.

 

[bruce linde]

Hi all wood movement guys, I have a problem with a terry style movement. It is installed in a case that I made from a George Bruno plan. The movement runs and I can get in beat with no problem. Approx every 60-90 seconds it sounds as if the escape wheel is skipping a tooth. Sometimes two or three times a few seconds apart then returns to normal. As you can see, it has been rebuilt sometime in the past with brass bushings. I have taken it apart twice looking for anything that is binding..cant see anything. I am pretty good at making repairs to this type movement but I just don't understand the geometry of this escapement well enough to monkey with it without guidance. Suggestions please. Thanks, Dennis
e.

if it's skipping then there's something not right with the escapement. can you post a video of it exhibiting the problem?
smike

 

[R. Croswell]

The recoil escapement in a wooden works like this operates the same as in a brass movement. Skipping teeth usually indicates that the verge is not close enough to the escape wheel. That can result from wear in the verge saddle pivot holes, a poorly located bushing in the brass escape wheel bridge, or an incorrect adjustment of the verge post. To correct the problem you would first correct any badly worn holes in the verge saddle, then remove the two nails holding the round brass "button" that carries the verge post. Rotate the button to move the verge a bit closer to the escape wheel until you get the correct escapement action. You then need to replace the nails to keep the button in place. There are two notches in the button for the nails. You may need to remove the button first and clean the usual green crap from under and around it before it will rotate. In all probability you will need to fill the old nail holes and drill two pilot holes when you renail it otherwise the nails will want to find the old holes pull the button back to the old position. If the button fits snug enough you may run it without the nails briefly, otherwise just check the action by hand and renail. If you can't get the brass button out you can drill a snall hole from the back side and punch it out carefully.

RC

 

[Dennism]

Thanks, That makes perfect sense. I'll check and get back to you. Dennis

 

[Dennism]

RC, Adjusting the verge position has stopped the tooth slipping. Beat is really delicate to adjust but I think I have it. Thanks