Help - Clock works then does not

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 4:46 pm     Post subject: Help - Clock works then does not

I have a mantle clock with a Garrard movement. We found it at boot sale and have had it restored. We recently got it back and the chap who restored it set it up. It worked fine. Then it stopped. We tried to get it going with no success for goodness knows how many attempts. Then we got it going. When it stopped again we could not get it going. What happens is that it works for about 5 minutes then stops. After a few attempts it will work. I cannot get hold of the chap who restored it. Can anyone offer any advice/ideas.

Much appreciated

wrg

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:15 am     Post subject: Clock works, then doesn't

You don't say whether this is a pendulum or a floating balance type movement. More information would be helpful in order to answer your query.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:46 am     Post subject:

sorry

It has a pendulum movement

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:22 pm     Post subject: Clock works, then doesn't

Assuming that the clock was properly serviced, including lubrication, then the usual cause of a pendulum clock movement stopping frequently, as long as it is wound up, is because it is not level.
Levelling a clock not only includes side to side, but front to back. The simplest way to level a clock is by adding paper or cardboard shims under a corner of the clock.
There may be other reasons why the clock stops frequently, but unfortunately it would be necessary to examine the clock. If simple levelling doesn't provide a solution then I would recommend that you keep trying to contact the person who originally serviced the clock.

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:37 pm     Post subject:

Many thanks for your reply. We put 2 10p's underneath one side yesterday and it seems to be working fine. It was still going this morning. What does confuse me is that we have 2 other clocks in the same display cabinet that do not have this problem.

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:06 pm     Post subject:

Being on a level surface is important, but not the most important factor in a pendulum clock running right. The clock must be set in beat in order for it to opperate properly. A clock can be made to run on almost any surface if it is set in beat properly. Ideally, the surface should be level in both directions when the beat is set. You then can move it to any other level surface, and it will run. Your clock can be made to run properly on it's present surface without the shims you placed under the feet. If you swing the pendulum and the tick is uneven, you must adjust the crutch in the direction of the short beat and allow the friction bushing at the top of the crutch to slip slightly. Swing it again and listen for the beat. If it is uneven, re-adjust until you get it right. If your clock is a typical American-made clock and has a wire crutch, you must bend the wire slightly so the lower end of the crutch is bent toward the long beat. In both cases, when you hear a steady even beat, it is set properly. Hope this helps.
JUST TICKING ALONG, W.O.W

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:43 am     Post subject:

Hi thanks for your reply. It did not work for very long with the 10p underneath it. We managed to get the clock level and it still keeps stopping however we have had it running now for the last 24hrs by adjusting the level to get that even steady beat as you say BUT the level is so skew whiff. As you look at the clock we have raised the right hand side by placing a 2p, 10p & 1p underneath it and it is running like a dream. Must admit you cant beat the sound of a correctly beating clock. If you look at the pendulum then at the top there is a little screw that sits just above the pendulum and just below is what looks like a pin that goes through the pendulum. Do I adjust via the little screw.?

Thanks for you time and help

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:14 pm     Post subject:

I have looked at the pendulum. I have looked at a book I have (Practical Clock Repairing). There is a picture that looks like the pendulum my clock has. I can see the crutch and and sitting directly on it is a shorter piece of metal. Is that piece that I move? On my clock it does move either side of the crutch. I must admit that I do have a problem recognising the tic-toc sound. If I put a spirit level on the clock and it shows slightly of center to left which way would I adjust the crutch or does it not work like that?

Thanks

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:56 pm     Post subject:

It does not work like that. The sound of the tick is the whole thing. I would remove all shims from the clock feet and try to determine the direction of the short tick. If you know a musisian, they would be able to help you determine that. When you decide in which direction the short tick occurs, move the crutch in that direction until you feel resistance, then fource it slightly further until it feels like it slips. A small amount of movement in that direction can make a big difference. If you do that and the short tick is in the opposite direction, you moved it too far. Go back the other way. If this does not work, give me a call and let me listen over the phone.
I am: Wilburn Walker. I am in Louisiana. My phone # is 318-451-7273.

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:00 pm     Post subject:

I have managed to get it going and keep going. The crutch has a friction joint which I have adjusted and the clock is mostly tick-tocking away. Every now and then the beat slightly changes. WOW I am a musician (piano) beleive it or not, never got used to using a metronome for some reason. However I do thank you sincerely for your very generous offer, it was extremely kind off you to offer to listen to it over the phone & if in future I need to do so I will do. I am looking to collect clocks & if in future I have any problems I hope and would be grateful to call on your expertise. clkwrx many thanks for your advice to.

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:59 pm     Post subject:

Great News!! Glad I could help.