We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4 feet
high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we moved
house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular, evenly-spaced
tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if you see what I mean. Each
time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for a few minutes, initially with the
tick sounding regular but as time goes on it gets fainter and more lopsided
until it stops altogether. I think the amplitude of the pendulum is
gradually getting less, to the point where it won't operate the escapement
even though it continues to swing for a little while after the ticking
stops.

Any suggestions?

On 28/02/18 11:25, NY wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we
moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular,
evenly-spaced tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if you see
what I mean. Each time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for a few minutes,
initially with the tick sounding regular but as time goes on it gets
fainter and more lopsided until it stops altogether. I think the
amplitude of the pendulum is gradually getting less, to the point where
it won't operate the escapement even though it continues to swing for a
little while after the ticking stops.

Any suggestions?


My inclination would be that the pendulum isn't getting the impulse from
the escapement, or not the correct one.

The escapement does two things, it allows the gear train to move under
the control of the pendulum in this case, and provides an impulse to
keep the pendulum swinging. A 'bad tick' usually means the escapement
isn't functioning correctly. An experience horologist can tell a lot
from a tick (not me I hasn't to add).

The first thing to check is that the clock is vertical, so the 'swing'
is 'even' either side the point of suspension. Also check the winding
mechanism - although you've probably done that. If it is weight driven,
are they free to drop, ie not snagged, touching anything.

Being 'over wound' is a possibility, I've seen ordinary clocks get
jammed. You can release the main spring but it takes care and really
isn't something to try unless you know how. You need to do it in a
controlled way.

On 28/02/18 11:55, Brian Reay wrote:
On 28/02/18 11:25, NY wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since
we moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular,
evenly-spaced tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if you see
what I mean. Each time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for a few
minutes, initially with the tick sounding regular but as time goes on
it gets fainter and more lopsided until it stops altogether. I think
the amplitude of the pendulum is gradually getting less, to the point
where it won't operate the escapement even though it continues to
swing for a little while after the ticking stops.

Any suggestions?


My inclination would be that the pendulum isn't getting the impulse from
the escapement, or not the correct one.

The escapement does two things, it allows the gear train to move under
the control of the pendulum in this case, and provides an impulse to
keep the pendulum swinging. A 'bad tick' usually means the escapement
isn't functioning correctly. An experience horologist can tell a lot
from a tick (not me I hasn't to add).

The first thing to check is that the clock is vertical, so the 'swing'
is 'even' either side the point of suspension.Â* Also check the winding
mechanism - although you've probably done that. If it is weight driven,
are they free to drop, ie not snagged, touching anything.

Being 'over wound' is a possibility, I've seen ordinary clocks get
jammed. You can release the main spring but it takes care and really
isn't something to try unless you know how. You need to do it in a
controlled way.

I assume from the description it wont have springs, but weights

But yes, somethig has shifted and it needs taking apart carefully to
discover waht.



--
Climate Change: Socialism wearing a lab coat.

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
news
On 28/02/18 11:55, Brian Reay wrote:
On 28/02/18 11:25, NY wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we
moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular,
evenly-spaced tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if you see
what I mean. Each time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for a few minutes,
initially with the tick sounding regular but as time goes on it gets
fainter and more lopsided until it stops altogether. I think the
amplitude of the pendulum is gradually getting less, to the point where
it won't operate the escapement even though it continues to swing for a
little while after the ticking stops.

Any suggestions?


My inclination would be that the pendulum isn't getting the impulse from
the escapement, or not the correct one.

The escapement does two things, it allows the gear train to move under
the control of the pendulum in this case, and provides an impulse to keep
the pendulum swinging. A 'bad tick' usually means the escapement isn't
functioning correctly. An experience horologist can tell a lot from a
tick (not me I hasn't to add).

The first thing to check is that the clock is vertical, so the 'swing' is
'even' either side the point of suspension. Also check the winding
mechanism - although you've probably done that. If it is weight driven,
are they free to drop, ie not snagged, touching anything.

Being 'over wound' is a possibility, I've seen ordinary clocks get
jammed. You can release the main spring but it takes care and really
isn't something to try unless you know how. You need to do it in a
controlled way.

I assume from the description it wont have springs, but weights

But yes, somethig has shifted and it needs taking apart carefully to
discover waht.


It has springs: one for the chiming mechanism (designed to chime hours but
not quarters) and one for the pendulum. Both are almost fully wound.

As far as I can tell, the clock is vertical in two planes (side-side and
front-back).

Time to find a horologist and get them to look at it. It's about 5 years
since I last had it serviced, after which it ran perfectly until I moved it
temporarily while we cleaned the carpets (taking care to remove the pendulum
first) when it's been difficult to set it a happy medium between too slow
and too fast. Moving house was the final straw, it seems.

In article wvidnYvn_
,
says...

It has springs...

As far as I can tell, the clock is vertical in two planes (side-side and
front-back).

Moving house was the final straw, it seems.

We had a problem with a clock which packed up following a move
although, having established the cause, it would have stopped
anyway, even if it hadn't been moved.

It wasn't the best quality movement and the constant lateral
force imposed on the mainspring's spindle by the spring itself
had caused one end to wear the unbushed hole in the frame into
a slot. This upset the gear meshing sufficiently to stop it.
It was, of course, beyond repair as there seemed no point in
paying a fortune to someone to bush the hole somehow.

From your description of the uneven tick-tock, however, I
think it is almost certainly that the pendulum mounting got
disturbed during the move.

Firast get a spirit level and ensure the cabinet is vertical
from side to side. It might then be easier to put the clock on
a surface where you can get to the back, again ensuring that
the case is vertical.

Watch the pendulum to see which side has the smaller degree of
movement then grasp the pendulum support and move it in the
opposite direction until it stops. Now apply further force as
there is a friction clutch incorporated into the pivot. Move
the pendulum a small amount, then start the clock again and
see what happens.

Repeat as necessary until the clock ticks evenly, then replace
the clock in its designated place.

The clock I was talking about was only about 2 feet high and
wall mounted so I checked it was hanging upright with the
spirit level and made a pencil mark on the wall corresponding
to the bottom of one side. Not normally visible unless you
were looking for it, it was easy to check if the clock had
been disturbed and reset it if necessary.

When I was a child we had a traditional mantlepiece clock
which always had to have a small piece if thin plywood under
the left hand feet to ensure it didn't keep stopping. Neither
my mother nor I knew anything about the friction clutch on the
pendulum until long after both she and the clock were dead!

--

Terry

---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
http://www.avg.com

On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 13:13:27 -0000
"NY" wrote:

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
news
On 28/02/18 11:55, Brian Reay wrote:
On 28/02/18 11:25, NY wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only
about 4 feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short
time since we moved house. It was transported horizontally on its
back.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular,
evenly-spaced tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if
you see what I mean. Each time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for
a few minutes, initially with the tick sounding regular but as
time goes on it gets fainter and more lopsided until it stops
altogether. I think the amplitude of the pendulum is gradually
getting less, to the point where it won't operate the escapement
even though it continues to swing for a little while after the
ticking stops.

Any suggestions?


My inclination would be that the pendulum isn't getting the
impulse from the escapement, or not the correct one.

The escapement does two things, it allows the gear train to move
under the control of the pendulum in this case, and provides an
impulse to keep the pendulum swinging. A 'bad tick' usually means
the escapement isn't functioning correctly. An experience
horologist can tell a lot from a tick (not me I hasn't to add).

The first thing to check is that the clock is vertical, so the
'swing' is 'even' either side the point of suspension. Also check
the winding mechanism - although you've probably done that. If it
is weight driven, are they free to drop, ie not snagged, touching
anything.

Being 'over wound' is a possibility, I've seen ordinary clocks get
jammed. You can release the main spring but it takes care and
really isn't something to try unless you know how. You need to do
it in a controlled way.

I assume from the description it wont have springs, but weights

But yes, somethig has shifted and it needs taking apart carefully
to discover waht.


It has springs: one for the chiming mechanism (designed to chime
hours but not quarters) and one for the pendulum. Both are almost
fully wound.

As far as I can tell, the clock is vertical in two planes (side-side
and front-back).

Time to find a horologist and get them to look at it. It's about 5
years since I last had it serviced, after which it ran perfectly
until I moved it temporarily while we cleaned the carpets (taking
care to remove the pendulum first) when it's been difficult to set it
a happy medium between too slow and too fast. Moving house was the
final straw, it seems.


http://bhi.co.uk/find-a/how-to-find-a-professional/

--
Davey.

In article ,
NY wrote:
Time to find a horologist and get them to look at it. It's about 5 years
since I last had it serviced, after which it ran perfectly until I
moved it temporarily while we cleaned the carpets (taking care to
remove the pendulum first) when it's been difficult to set it a happy
medium between too slow and too fast. Moving house was the final straw,
it seems.

I have a Victorian chiming mantle clock which needs a service too. Keeps
on stopping. Did a Google for a local place who still repaired clocks, and
on the phone they quoted 200 quid.

Think I'll have to find out how to DIY a clean and oil. ;-)

--
*You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
NY wrote:
Time to find a horologist and get them to look at it. It's about 5 years
since I last had it serviced, after which it ran perfectly until I
moved it temporarily while we cleaned the carpets (taking care to
remove the pendulum first) when it's been difficult to set it a happy
medium between too slow and too fast. Moving house was the final straw,
it seems.

I have a Victorian chiming mantle clock which needs a service too. Keeps
on stopping. Did a Google for a local place who still repaired clocks, and
on the phone they quoted 200 quid.

Think I'll have to find out how to DIY a clean and oil. ;-)

You might find that a hobbist clock repairer is a bit cheaper, but perhaps
not. I had an Edwardian Bracket Clock (retirement present to my
great-grandfather) cleaned and overhauled. The work cost £650 - 5 years ago.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England

It could be a fall of muck or a dodgy bearing or a loose escapement which
has slid onto a part of a spindle where it has too much resistance. Lots of
things could cause this, sadly, how old is it?
Brian

--
----- -
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!
"NY" wrote in message
o.uk...
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
news
On 28/02/18 11:55, Brian Reay wrote:
On 28/02/18 11:25, NY wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we
moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular,
evenly-spaced tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if you see
what I mean. Each time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for a few
minutes, initially with the tick sounding regular but as time goes on
it gets fainter and more lopsided until it stops altogether. I think
the amplitude of the pendulum is gradually getting less, to the point
where it won't operate the escapement even though it continues to swing
for a little while after the ticking stops.

Any suggestions?


My inclination would be that the pendulum isn't getting the impulse from
the escapement, or not the correct one.

The escapement does two things, it allows the gear train to move under
the control of the pendulum in this case, and provides an impulse to
keep the pendulum swinging. A 'bad tick' usually means the escapement
isn't functioning correctly. An experience horologist can tell a lot
from a tick (not me I hasn't to add).

The first thing to check is that the clock is vertical, so the 'swing'
is 'even' either side the point of suspension. Also check the winding
mechanism - although you've probably done that. If it is weight driven,
are they free to drop, ie not snagged, touching anything.

Being 'over wound' is a possibility, I've seen ordinary clocks get
jammed. You can release the main spring but it takes care and really
isn't something to try unless you know how. You need to do it in a
controlled way.

I assume from the description it wont have springs, but weights

But yes, somethig has shifted and it needs taking apart carefully to
discover waht.


It has springs: one for the chiming mechanism (designed to chime hours but
not quarters) and one for the pendulum. Both are almost fully wound.

As far as I can tell, the clock is vertical in two planes (side-side and
front-back).

Time to find a horologist and get them to look at it. It's about 5 years
since I last had it serviced, after which it ran perfectly until I moved
it temporarily while we cleaned the carpets (taking care to remove the
pendulum first) when it's been difficult to set it a happy medium between
too slow and too fast. Moving house was the final straw, it seems.

Yes people have actually died from opening up clockwork motors on clocks and
old gramophones. Killed by the spring cutting an artery.

Brian

--
----- -
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!
"Brian Reay" wrote in message
news
On 28/02/18 11:25, NY wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we
moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular, evenly-spaced
tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if you see what I mean.
Each time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for a few minutes, initially
with the tick sounding regular but as time goes on it gets fainter and
more lopsided until it stops altogether. I think the amplitude of the
pendulum is gradually getting less, to the point where it won't operate
the escapement even though it continues to swing for a little while after
the ticking stops.

Any suggestions?


My inclination would be that the pendulum isn't getting the impulse from
the escapement, or not the correct one.

The escapement does two things, it allows the gear train to move under the
control of the pendulum in this case, and provides an impulse to keep the
pendulum swinging. A 'bad tick' usually means the escapement isn't
functioning correctly. An experience horologist can tell a lot from a tick
(not me I hasn't to add).

The first thing to check is that the clock is vertical, so the 'swing' is
'even' either side the point of suspension. Also check the winding
mechanism - although you've probably done that. If it is weight driven,
are they free to drop, ie not snagged, touching anything.

Being 'over wound' is a possibility, I've seen ordinary clocks get jammed.
You can release the main spring but it takes care and really isn't
something to try unless you know how. You need to do it in a controlled
way.

On 28/02/2018 11:25, NY wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we
moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

I presume all the weights and delicate components were dismounted first?

I doubt if it will react well to being tipped over with the pendulum
still in position. Check the pivots for any damage.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular,
evenly-spaced tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if you see
what I mean. Each time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for a few minutes,
initially with the tick sounding regular but as time goes on it gets
fainter and more lopsided until it stops altogether. I think the
amplitude of the pendulum is gradually getting less, to the point where
it won't operate the escapement even though it continues to swing for a
little while after the ticking stops.

Any suggestions?

For whatever reason the mechanism that puts energy into the pendulum
when it has lost a certain amount of amplitude is not triggering. This
may be because it hasn't been put together quite right so that there is
excessive friction or that some part is now stuck. If you watch it
carefully you should see the mechanism that puts energy back into the
pendulum try to do its thing while the pendulum is still swinging
evenly. Finding a clock mechanism online that looks like yours might be
one way or show us a picture and the components can be pointed out.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On 28/02/2018 14:24, Martin Brown wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we
moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

Based on your information your clock is out of the vertical orienation
it had when previously sited. It only needs the pendulum part re-aligned
to the new location.
To check this get some thin pieces of card and place under the right or
left side and listen to the `tick/tock` it should be evenly balanced.
adjust the cardboard `wedges` until you get an even tick/tock.
You can then leave as is or adjust the pendulum to achieve the same.

This clip explains it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ek0fWOAdok

ss wrote:

On 28/02/2018 14:24, Martin Brown wrote:
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we
moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

Based on your information your clock is out of the vertical orienation
it had when previously sited. It only needs the pendulum part re-aligned
to the new location.
To check this get some thin pieces of card and place under the right or
left side and listen to the `tick/tock` it should be evenly balanced.
adjust the cardboard `wedges` until you get an even tick/tock.
You can then leave as is or adjust the pendulum to achieve the same.

This clip explains it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ek0fWOAdok

^^^^ +1
Is the correct answer

-

It needs a complete clean out and a lubrication I'd imagine. Assuming of
course that the windy up bit is still OK.
Brian

--
----- -
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!
"NY" wrote in message
o.uk...
We have a grand-daughter clock (ie like a grandfather but only about 4
feet high) which used to run OK but only runs for a short time since we
moved house. It was transported horizontally on its back.

The tick sounds as if it is limping - instead of a regular, evenly-spaced
tick-tock, the tick is shorter than the tock, if you see what I mean. Each
time we nudge the pendulum, it runs for a few minutes, initially with the
tick sounding regular but as time goes on it gets fainter and more
lopsided until it stops altogether. I think the amplitude of the pendulum
is gradually getting less, to the point where it won't operate the
escapement even though it continues to swing for a little while after the
ticking stops.

Any suggestions?