winding

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:55 am     Post subject: winding

I have a grandfather clock made by colonial of zeeland. the chains that wind the clock are off the sprockets. please advise

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 3:02 am     Post subject:

Here are some instructions, it's almost like threading a needle:

The following is the procedure that I follow with the movement attached to a single movement mounting board. If the mounting board consists of a double tiered board assembly, the movement has to be removed from the clock. Then the chain can be installed by turning the movement upside down and over a couple of times and threading the chain around the chain wheel. On the single mounting board,I use a piece of wire like a section of thin coat hanger wire and form a small "S" curve on the end. This is done so that the end of the wire will hold the chain as you thread it over the chain wheel. I also form the wire for aboun a quarter of a turn of a 2" diameter to match the diameter of the chain wheel. I then remove the tab (usually the solid one) from the pulling end of the chain. Next I use a small screwdriver and push on the sproket teeth of the chain wheel to determine which direction the wheel is going to turn. It will click when it turns in the turning direction. That is unless the clicker (ratchet) is broken, which could have caused the chain to drop off in the first place. That requires replacing the chain wheel. Holding that end of the chain in the wire piece you made, start threading the chain over the chain wheel teeth as you turn the wheel with the small screwdriver. Once the chain has been "grabbed" by a few teeth, carefully remove the wire piece and continue turning the wheel until the end of the chain drops down the other side and you can grasp the chain to pull it down. Then reattach the pull tab. This whole procedure is rather tricky. But it's the way I do it. I get better each time, but still it takes some time.