Grandfather Clock Chiming 5 mins too early?

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:41 am     Post subject: Grandfather Clock Chiming 5 mins too early?

Hi, I'm new to the forum so forgive me jumping straight in & asking a question...!

I have just purchased a Grandfather Clock which runs fine but chimes the hour 5 minutes too early, and was wondering if there was anyway to adjust?

The minute hand is held in place by a pin (no nut) on a 'square peg' and the hour by a small screw - see attached photo

There doesn't appear to be any way you can move the minute hand except in 15 minute intervals?

Any advice appreciated.

Also would you clean the face (it's made of Brass) and if so what with?

The clock is supposed to be Pre 1900

Regards
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:12 pm     Post subject:

Typically, most (if not all) mechanical movements minute hands can be adjusted for this. Remove the minute (longer hand). On the backside of the hand, there should be a mounting hub that will rotate independently from the hand itself. This is how the hand can be adjusted for anything less than 15 minute increments. Grip the hub with a pair of pliers. Adjust (rotate) the hand as need be on the hub while keeping the hub stationary with the pliers. Re-mount the hand and check to see if further adjustments are required.

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:30 pm     Post subject:

Hi Chris, thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately the hands dont have anything inside them please see photo.

Maybe next step is take it to a clock repair shop or put up with it...lol

Regards

Dave

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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:56 pm     Post subject:

It would not be inside - - but on the backside of the minute hand only. It would look as if a washer was glued to the backside over the center shaft mount hole. The square mount opening in the hand would more so be a part of this "hub" piece rather than the hand. If your hand is not made in this manner, perhaps there is another way to make the adjustment that I am not aware of. Keep checking back for other posts from patrons. Some members are quite familar with older clock movements, and may have further suggestions. A qualified repair person may also be able to tell you if there is a way to adjust the hand.

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:39 am     Post subject:

Thanks again Chris,
I have looked on the backside of the hand & there is nothing to adjust so either it has been removed over time or the hands are not original to the movement?

I'll have a look around to see if I can locate a pair of hands to compliment the clock which has an adjustment you mentioned.

Thanks

Dave

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:49 am     Post subject:

the mechanism behind the dial needs re-aligning to put the minute hand position back into sync with the strike drop and twelve alignment.

sometimes this can be done without taking the dial off depending on how loose or how much free play there is .
behind the dial you will see the wheel the minute hand wheel (cannon pinion) is meshing with. this other wheel called the minute wheel. the minute wheel has a pin on it that raises the lifting lever that makes the clock go into 'warning' mode and then lets it drop which releases the mechanism so it operates.

this meshing of teeth needs to be adjusted so the lever drops when the minute hand is at the top (twelve). sometimes you can pull the cannon pinion towards the front and this will unmesh the wheels so it can be adjusted. i assume this is what happened to make it out of alignment in the first place.

let us know how you get on.

your clock looks to have been made about 18th or 19th century and worth while keeping and sort after so get it insured.