adjustment

Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:51 am     Post subject: adjustment

I thought maybe the problem I'm having with the Seth Thomas Mantel clock was in this thread. It wasn't running so I speeded it up, and then slowed it down. Some where in the middle it wanted to run, but wouldn't keep running. Took the hands off and now clock runs. Is this a problem with lubrication or maybe the hands were frozen? Thanks.

Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:53 am     Post subject:

More information is needed, is the clock antique/modern, was it running previuosly for a long time/you just aqiured it and cant get it running, prior to stoping was the clock moved with the pendulum bob attached? If a clock is not properly regulated for timekeeping and requires regular correction via moving the hands, the hands can sometimes get bent backwards to the point where they will start snaging one another or something else on the dial. Or pulled out to where the minute hand is draging the glass. Is the clock wound all the way up?

Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:11 pm     Post subject:

It sounds like you simply had the old "hands touching each other" problem. Put the hour hand on and be sure it is as far back on the arbor as it will go without touching the dial. Then put the minute hand on being sure it does not touch the hour hand or the glass. If it continues to run, you have solved your problem.

Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:10 pm     Post subject:

Thanks, I should have given more information. It is probably 70s or later Seth Thomas Carriage Mantel clock. I did just acquire it and it wasn't running when it came into my posession. I thought it was a question of ajusting the speed. The hands didn't seem to be touching each other or the face of the clock. They were difficult to remove and seemed very stiff. Its been about 20 or so hours since I posted the question and I haven't put hands back on as of yet, and the clock is still running. Oh, and it is a westminster chime type also and that part does seem to be working. I'll make sure hands aren't touching and see if it works. Sure hope this is problem. Thanks folks.