Cuckoo clock dancers have a problem!

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:24 pm     Post subject: Cuckoo clock dancers have a problem!


My cuckoo clock has the spinning dancers on it. but the chain just goes up and down...with either side of the chain...and no matter which side of the chain I pull, the dancers and the dial they are on will spin freely...when i remove the back panel to the works, i see gears spinning when i pull either chain...
any idea why this part of the clock wont function?
Thank you,
Bill Hansen
San Diego
billh777@cox.net

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:08 pm     Post subject:

quite a technical repair required so unless you can post pictures so we can see exactly what's wrong it might be best to take to a clockmaker.

Sounds like you have a wheel or possibly a pivot broken or missing.
this missing or broken piece helps to regulate the speed of the train.

another idea is to view another mechanism like it so you can compare and see which part is missing.

Does it say Regula or herbert herr on the backplate?

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:15 pm     Post subject:

I can send photos of the works upon request. There is no manufacturer name stamped on wood or metal. The works are stamped "Made in Western Germany" and there are some numbers.
Thanks,
Bill
billh777@cox.net

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:06 am     Post subject: Cuckoo clock

It sounds as if the music box governor and ratchet gearing is now toast. Although repair parts may be available, the usual course of action is to replace the entire music box movement and dancer platform. Unfortunately it's probably just as cheap to replace the music box/dancing platform mechanism as it is to buy repair parts.
The time and cuckoo portion of the clock should continue to operate normally without the music box/dancers running.