
Mantel Clock Chimes Wrong Hour – Simple Mantle Clock Repair
- 1 Thing You Have to Understand First. On most clocks you can turn the minute hand counter-clockwise but SOME clocks are not safe to be turned in that direction.
- The Simple Mantel Clock Adjustment. The easiest way to adjust a mantel clock chime is to move the hour hand to the hour that the chime is striking.
- Mantel clock Chime Adjustment. When your mantel clock chimes the wrong number of times, your chime is not synchronized time of the clock.
- Finding a Replacement Mantel Clock. Sometimes, mechanisms inside older mantel clocks need to be repaired. ...
How to fix the mantel clock chime?
Part 3 Part 3 of 3: Re-synchronizing the Chimes to the Hour
- Open the hinged glass cover of the clock’s face to access the clock’s hands.
- Move the big hand clockwise to the 11 o’clock position and pause.
- Listen for a sound like a spring unwinding. ...
- Advance the big hand to the 12 o’clock position and stop.
- Count the number of strikes. ...
- Move the big hand back counterclockwise to the number 9 and pause. ...
How do you identify mantel clocks?
- Analyzing the face of the clock (looking in for a logo)
- The insides of the clock (model number)
- The purchase date
- Getting an actual appraisal
How do you clean a Howard Miller mantel clock?
the exceptional quality of your Howard Miller clock. • Wind your clock every seven days. • Wax and polish your clock cabinet as frequently as you do your other furniture. Use a non-silicone liquid or paste wax. • When cleaning glass, use a non-ammonia glass cleaner. Never spray the cleaner directly on the clock.
How to fix old clocks?
Myths & Clocks
- You must not overwind the clock. Winding a clock spring all the way does not damage it! ...
- Mechanical clocks are very accurate. While most weight- and spring-driven mechanical clocks keep time within a minute or two a day, don’t expect split-second accuracy as you would get ...
- Buy only American. ...
- Just give it some WD-40. ...

How do you fix an overwound mantle clock?
Fixing An Overwound ClockClean The Clock. Sometimes cleaning your clock will get it working again. ... Lubricate The Mechanism. Like cars, all mechanical clocks need regular oiling. ... Replace The Springs. ... Find A Professional.
How do you fix a clock that stops ticking?
For mantle clocks with a pendulum, a temporary cure may be to place something under one side of the clock, such as a coin, and listen again to see if it's any better. If it's worse, place the coin under the other side instead and listen again. Add two or three coins if you need to until the tick sounds even.
Why does the pendulum on my clock keep stopping?
The reason a clock pendulum often stops swinging, after being moved, is because the clock case now leans at a slightly different angle then it did at its former location. Don't worry about making your clock absolutely level with the floor and don't use a level.
How do you fix a chime mantel clock?
On most mantel clocks, you can simple remove the minute hand which is friction fit. You have to apply pressure on the tube and it will loosen. Once removed, re-install the minute hand at the correct time. From there you can rotate the minute hand to reset the time.
Why is my clock ticking but not moving?
Many clock hands are held to the face of a clock by friction and a small nut, and it only takes a simple repair to tighten them. If the hands on your clock refuse to remain tight, you may need to replace the nut or the clock hands.
Why does a clock stop working?
When battery operated clocks stop working, it's usually caused by one or more of the batteries. Either a battery has lost its charge, or battery acid has leaked, causing corrosion. Often, the internal mechanisms, such as the cogs, springs and other movements of the clock, are not faulty and are unaffected.
What causes a pendulum to eventually slow down and stop swinging?
The pendulum stops eventually because of air resistance. The pendulum loses energy because of friction. Only in a theoretical situation when there is no friction the pendulum will oscillate forever.
Why is pendulum not swinging?
Often a pendulum clock will stop when it has been moved, bumped or even a too aggressive push to restart a pendulum. It is not broken, only out of beat. This only takes a few minutes to readjust and all pendulum clock owners should learn how as this will happen eventually.
How do you solve a pendulum problem?
17:2826:25The Simple Pendulum - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo for this problem it's going to be 4 pi squared times the length of the pendulum which is 80MoreSo for this problem it's going to be 4 pi squared times the length of the pendulum which is 80 centimeters or if you divide that by 100 that's going to be 0.80 meters.
Why does my mantle clock not chime?
What if my mechanical clocks will not chime or strike? Make sure that the strike on/off lever is not in the "strike off" position or halfway between positions. Make sure that the movement is not in the "night off" position. Make sure that all the packing material is removed from the movement area.
What are the three winders on a mantel clock?
3) Winding the clock The center winder is for the timekeeping, the right winder is for the quarter-hour chime, and the left winder is for the hour strike.
How often do you wind up a mantel clock?
every seven daysWe recommend winding a mantel clock every seven days, partially to be safe and partially because it's easier to keep a weekly schedule. Wind the clock at approximately the same time of day each time.
How do you lubricate a clock?
Place the clock movement face down on a work table. Place one drop of synthetic clock oil from a clock oil syringe into each oil sink on the clock movement. Turn the movement over and place a drop of oil into each of the oil sinks on the other clock plate as well as the weight pulleys and the front plate posts.
Why has my quartz clock stopped working?
Quartz clocks lose time or stop working for several reasons: The battery is low or dead. The pips (those little metal strips that connect each end of the battery to the movement) are loose, dirty, or too short. The clock hands are rubbing or are altogether stuck.
What kind of oil do you use on a clock?
Synthetic clock oilSynthetic clock oil is not cheap because it is specifically formulated for the metals used in clocks. Brass and steel are used in clocks because when properly lubricated with the right oil it forms a perfect bearing. Brass is a soft metal which is why you won't find it in car engines.
What makes a clock tick?
The ticking of a timekeeper is the sound of the escapement stopping a wheel tooth. An early pendulum timepiece by J Bernard van Stryp, Antwerp, c. 1660. The controller is connected to the escapement – it controls the rate at which it allows the teeth to pass through.
What materials were used to make the mantle clock?
Materials like porcelain and wood, and eve precious metals, were carved and sculpted into complex designs that would house the timepiece itself. The inner workings of the mantle clock differed from others at the time, especially wall clocks, which hung up and had their movement resting upon the back side (wall side).
How long can a Willard clock run?
Willard wanted his clocks to be able to run for longer before needing rewound, so he came up with an extended base that allowed his clocks to run for up to a week before needing to be wound.
Is the mantle clock still used?
Of many clock types invented hundreds of years ago, the mantle clock is one of the most universally still used today, though largely as a decorative piece than as a necessity for keeping track of time.
Is a mantle clock cheap?
Compared to other older mechanical clocks – like the grandfather clock, cuckoo clock, etc. – mantle clocks are relatively inexpensive. Plus they come in such a wide range of styles that just about anything can find something that will fit in with the rest of their house and décor.
How to reset time on mantel clock?
Once removed, re-install the minute hand at the correct time. From there you can rotate the minute hand to reset the time.
How to adjust a mantel clock chime?
The easiest way to adjust a mantel clock chime is to move the hour hand to the hour that the chime is striking. Make sure that the hour hand shaft is not too tight or else it will not turn. Most mantel clock hands are friction held. DO NOT BEND YOUR HOUR HAND, loosen the shaft if it will not turn freely. Once you have synchronized the hour hand ...
What happens if your mantel clock chimes?
When your mantel clock chimes the wrong number of times, your chime is not synchronized time of the clock. To adjust your mantel clock chime, proceed with the following step:
Can you repair an old mantel clock?
Sometimes, mechanisms inside older mantel clocks need to be repaired. For those that are heirloom items, it may make sense to spend the money necessary to repair your antiquated mantel clock. The other option is to purchase a modern mantel clock that is built with fine-tuned mechanisms like the auto-adjust.
How to get the movement out of a clock?
The first thing to do is to get the movement out of the clock. I had to remove the wood back and expose the movement. There are four wood screws that hold the movement to the clock and that’s it. Remove the four screws and remove the clock face hands and the movement just falls out the back. Its an old one and has the 1909 date stamp on it.
What year was the William Gilbert clock made?
This one is a 1909 William Gilbert mantle clock. It has an 8 day movement and has a gong strike for the hour and a bell strike for every half hour. My father in-law bought this clock last summer at a flea market in town for $50.
How to wind a clock with a chain?
For clocks with chains, use a long wire or string and put it through the chain links just below the chain sprocket. When done properly, the wire or string should go through six chain links.
How to adjust a clock when the strike is off?
If the strike is off, grasp the HOUR HAND ONLY and rotate it forward or backward to line up with the correct hour on the dial indicated by the number of times the hour strikes.
How often should you move the clock forward?
Advance the minute hand clockwise until the correct time is set. When moving the hand forward, it is important to allow the clocks to chime every quarter hour (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1) before advancing the hands to the next quarter hour position. DO NOT MOVE THE HANDS WHILE THE CLOCKS ARE CHIMING OR STRIKING.
Why won't my pendulum swing?
Pendulum will not swing: To provide proper pendulum operation, it is also necessary to ensure that the clocks are level. Also check that the pendulum is properly located on the pendulum hanger and that the speaker wires are not interfering with the pendulum operation in quartz models.
How many winding holes are there in a clock?
Wall and Mantel Clocks: Insert the winding key into the holes located in the dial face. Depending upon the model of the clock, there can be 1, 2 or 3 winding holes.
How to straighten a pendulum?
To straighten the pendulum, first remove it from the clock. Use cotton gloves or a soft non-abrasive cloth when handling the pendulum. With one hand, hold the pendulum below the top strap. With the other hand, grasp the pendulum bob. Gently twist the pendulum in the direction necessary to eliminate the twist.
Where is the proper position of the weights on a clock?
The proper position of the weights as you are facing the clock is labeled on the bottom of each weight. If your clocks are cable-driven clocks and were previously run, it is possible that the cables were not wound up with the weights left on the pulley. When this happens, the cables overlap on the drum.
How long does it take to get a clock back?
Talk with the store to see how long it will take to get your clock back. You shouldn’t be shocked if you will learn that it can use up to 3 months.
How much does it cost to overhaul a grandfather clock?
Set up brand-new mechanical movements – $150 to $350 + the expense of a brand-new movement. Grandfather clock overhaul – $550 to $2,500, depending upon the range of trains.
How much does a cuckoo clock cost?
A cuckoo clock, typically, can cost $200 to $400 to fix. A clock with animation will generally cost 30 to half more than one without any animations. Likewise, the more weights that the clock has, the greater the cost can be.
Do clocks need overhauls?
Almost all clock repair work will need an overhaul unless it’s seen as easy repair work. An overhaul will consist of a total disassembly, extensive cleaning, pivot cleaning, brand-new bushings, hook tightening ups, click rivet tightening ups, correcting the alignment of bent teeth, lubrication, oiling, reassembling, and re-testing. Typically, to make a dirty and used clock run well, a total overhaul is generally needed.
Do grandfather clocks need to be repaired?
Clock repair work might be required for a lot of reasons. Whether it’s a grandfather clock or smaller-sized antique clocks, the parts tend to deteriorate with time. Considering that these clocks can be pretty valuable, it would be a waste to put them away when they will stop working properly. Instead, there are experts out there who can carry out ...
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