Grandfather clock--stopped chiming

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:03 pm     Post subject: Grandfather clock--stopped chiming

I have an Emporer grandfather clock purchased in 1986 (built the case bought the moving moon movement)

Recently the clock has stopped chiming. We had moved the clock away from the wall,and then back --sevaral weeks later. We stopped the clock prior to moving it and did not restart it until moving it back.

The clock works fine but the chime halted. You can hear the "click" as the minute hand moves over the quarter, half, 3/4 and hour position but no chime.

Prior to the original move the clock had begun to chime erratically --the chimes would stop- we oiled the movement at that time.

but now nothing will restart those chimes.


Any help would be appreciated--we do not have the luxury of a clock repair shop in our area that would do a home visit for repair.

thanks

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:36 pm     Post subject: Stopped Chime

Sounds like your clock will need some mechanical repairs. When it was erratically chiming, it was asking for attention and after a period of storage, it won't chime at all, it tells me you have a power loss caused by wear of the pivots and drying lubrication. I am a Master Clockmaker and in 27 years I have NEVER just oiled a movement to keep it running, so I recommend you have your movement serviced by a qualified clockmaker.

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:30 pm     Post subject: Chimes have stopped, but hear the "click"

I have a grandfather clock that has also recently stopped chiming. It was built by my father ~ 1977 from Mason & Sullivan Co. plans F150, and uses the L50 movement.

Recently the clock has stopped chiming. The clock works fine, but the chime halted. You can hear the "click" as the minute hand moves over the quarter, half, 3/4 and hour position but no chime

When I remove the head case and flick (or assist) the chime fan, it chimes.
The clock never chimed erratically -- as mentioned in the previous post -- although I did notice the chimes were slowing down. It sounded as though it wouldn't finish all the notes on the quarter, half, 3/4 and hour position. It always finished all the notes but was slow. Now it has stopped altogether.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Pete Bonitatebus

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:00 am     Post subject: Stopped chiming

Most certainly after 30 years of operation, at the very least your clock is in need of cleaning and lubrication. The gradual slowing down of the chiming cycle over the years is evidence of that fact. There may also be wear problems but that can only be determined by examination of the movement by a competent repair technician.

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:00 pm     Post subject: Re: Stopped chiming

Thanks for the quick reply. After reading your response, along with the original suggestion by Wayne Adams, I agree the movement needs to be looked at by a professional...but, of course I was hoping there may be something simple given the symptom I observe is (apparently) common:
- hear the "click" but no chime
I suppose I also felt a cheap fix was within grasp because when the chime fan gets a 'kick start' the chime workings function properly.
You are of course right on the money suggesting a qualified person have a look because I also neglected to mention that the center weight has been falling faster than the weights on either side. Usually all the weights fall at a similar rate over time, but the center one is clearly below the other two.
Thanks again
Pete Bonitatebus