gilbert 1868

Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:21 pm     Post subject: gilbert 1868

just purchased a gilbert mantle at estate sale which is my first clock its cool but i dont know the first thing about it! but eager to learn ! i wound it but it doesnt work but my bumb brother in law rotated the hands and it started 2 chime at the new hour is this good or bad any help is greatly appreciated thanks

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:30 am     Post subject:

first thing to look at is the works do they appear to be clean or dirty?
next is there alot of play between the gear shafts, and the end plates.

If the clock is dirty it will need a complete disassembly and cleaning, after everything cleaned you can see what else needs to be done.

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:45 am     Post subject:

Great thanks for ur help

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:17 am     Post subject:

Should I attempt 2 take the face off and take a peek behind or should I leave for a professional?

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:18 am     Post subject:

Should I attempt 2 take the face off and take a peek behind or should I leave for a professional?

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:19 pm     Post subject:

Rotating the minute hand clock-wise should not hurt anything. It is recommended, however, that you not rotate the hand during the chime sequence (wait until after the movement has finished the chime cycle before advancing the minute hand).

I would first try to get into the back of the clock case assembly (you may not need to remove the face at this time). Most of the mantel case assemblies have some sort of rear access (whether removing screws from a back panel, etc). Once the back is open, you can look at possibilities of removing the movement so that you may have it serviced.

If you were to remove the movement, you will need to remove the hour and minute hands initially. There should be a small nut which secures the larger minute hand at the end of the shaft. Remove this nut, and you can pull off the hands (the hour hand may be a little tight to pull off). From that point, access the movement from the rear of the case.

There may be mounting screws (through mount brackets attached to the front of the movement) securing the movement to the wood face board (which the clock face is likely secured to from the front side). If so, you can remove these screws to remove the movement. Note that without being able to see the clock (and inside), it is hard to offer specific advise (and I am not certain if the above removal proceedure would apply). Get a look at things before attempting to remove the movement and post back.

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:43 pm     Post subject:

OK thanks will check it out

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:45 pm     Post subject:

Its actually nailed in the back

Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:39 pm     Post subject:

If nailed, the case back could still potentially be removed. If you should attempt to do so, be very careful.