Freeplay movement on minute hand.

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:10 pm     Post subject: Freeplay movement on minute hand.

I have just taken delivery of a Seth Thomas drop dial clock. When setting it up I notice that the chimes came about 2 mins past the hour. So say at 7 it chimes 7 times at 2 mins past but I can move the hand back to 7 without any resistance. Is this normal?

Thanks

Wrg

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:05 pm     Post subject:

With Hermle movements we sell, you can remove the minute hand and grip the backside of the hand hub with a pair of pliers. The hand can then be rotated (on the hub) while the hub is firmly gripped. It is in this manner that slight adjustments can be made to synchronize the chime and times (in relation to the minute hand). Keep in mind that I do not know if this will work with all manufactured minute hands, but it could be something to check for...

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:37 pm     Post subject:

I am not sure what you mean by a drop dial clock, but if it is an old Seth Thomas with the typical Seth Thomas movement, the strike or chime is controlled by a wire which is tripped by a small wire that is connected to the main (center ) arbour or hand shaft. That wire can be bent so the it releases the strike control wire earlier, thus causing the clock to strike sooner. The easiest way to fix it is like Chris said, but your hand is probably not one that has a bushing, so it cannot be adjusted. Some people simply bend the hand backwards two minutes, but that is not a good way to solve the problem. Besides, the hand may break. If you cannot adjust the hand, take the movement out and slowly turn the minute hand until the strike wire begins to move. Watch it closely, and maybe you can determine how to bend the wire so it strikes earlier. Good Luck!!

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:19 am     Post subject:

Thank you both for your responses. WOW it is an old school house calendar clock, octaganal shape with a housing below the main clock face where the pendulum swings. I have observed with the clock that it will chime on the hour when running normally. It was only when I moved the hands to set the time did it chime at 2 minutes past but I could move the hand back 2 minutes without any resistance to the hour and it will run from there. I have noticed that when it gets to about 5 past the hour it gains 2 minutes and when it gets to 35 past the hour it loses 2 mins and inbetween the 35 min & 5 mins it catches back up. Is this anything to do with the freeplay that the hand has? What I mean by freeplay is that I can move it back approx 2 mins before I meet any slight resistance.

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:10 pm     Post subject:

Sounds like you need a hand washer. You can buy washers with square holes, slotted holes, and round holes from Merritt's Antiques and other suppliers. That should solve your problem. The washer goes on the outside of the minute hand, and should fit snuggly, keeping the hand from moving.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:55 am     Post subject:

Spoke to the seller of the clock yesterday and he said the same as you. He is sending a new washer today in the post. The one that is currently on is not snug at all.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:05 pm     Post subject:

Wow I have put new washers on and it has taken most of the slack. There is still a little bit, not enough I think to cause it to fall back or forth. Is a little bit of slack to be exptected?

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:12 pm     Post subject:

Yes, on that type clock the hand may have a minute's worth of play in both directions. The only way to avoid that is a new hand that has a center slot or square that is smaller and fits the shaft (arbour) tightly.