Re-synchronizing the Chimes to the Hour
- 1 Open the hinged glass cover of the clock’s face to access the clock’s hands.
- 2 Move the big hand clockwise to the 11 o’clock position and pause.
- 3 Listen for a sound like a spring unwinding. This sound is subtle.
- 4 Advance the big hand to the 12 o’clock position and stop.
- 5 Count the number of strikes. ...
How do you set the chime on a chime clock?
Move the big hand to 12 and wait for the clock to finish chiming. Now you can set the correct time by moving the big hand. If your chimes were out of sync, move the big hand back to 9 and wait for the sound of the spring. Then, move the hand forward to 11, listen for the spring again, and move the hand to 12.
What are the instructions for a Seth Thomas clock?
What Are the Instructions for a Seth Thomas Clock? What Are the Instructions for a Seth Thomas Clock? Traditionally, Seth Thomas clocks are set from the front by using the key that originally came with the clock. By default, the pendulum will swing at an even pace when placed in the correct position.
How do you set the time on a clock with hands?
Part 2 of 3: Setting the Time 1 Open the hinged glass cover of the clock’s face to access the clock’s hands. 2 Set the time by moving the big hand forward, pausing at the 11 o’clock position. 3 Listen for the subtle sound of a spring unwinding before moving further. 4 Move the big hand to the 12 o’clock position. More items...
How do I know if my clock is chime 5 or 12?
Listen for the subtle sound of a spring unwinding before moving further. Move the big hand to the 12 o’clock position. Pause and listen for the clock to strike the number of times indicated by the little hand. If the little hand is on 5 o’clock, it should chime 5 times.
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How do I get my clock to chime correctly?
Turn the minute hand forward to the next hour. When striking stops, push up (or pull down on some clocks) the little wire hanging beneath the dial and let the clock strike. Each time you push (or pull) the wire, the clocks will strike the next hour. Repeat until the correct hour is struck.
Why does my wind up 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 2 winding holes on a clock?
The middle hole will wind the spring that powers the timekeeping function of the clock. The right hole, as you're looking at the clock, powers the chimes of the clock. Finally, the left winding hole, as you're looking at the clock, powers the hourly strikes of the clock.
How do clock chimes work?
As the music roll turns, it pulls back a chime hammer, which then falls back to its original position and strikes a chime rod, or in some cases a steel tuned tube. Most chiming, weight-driven, mechanical grandfather clocks have 12 hammers and rods. Yet a few select models have 16 hammers and rods.
What happens to an overwound clock?
Having an overwound clock can lead to internal damage and breakage, which can be cause for concern especially if your clock has been in your family for generations and is considered a keepsake.
How much should you wind up a clock?
Wind firmly to the point of resistance: the key will stop when the clock is fully wound. An eight-day clock should be wound once a week, as the mainspring loses power after seven days. A 30-hour clock should be wound daily; a good routine is to wind it every night before bedtime. The key should fit tightly.
Why does my clock have three winders?
The reason clocks have multiple gear sets is so a clock can chime on the hour and quarter hour while it keeps time. All clocks require at least one set of gears dedicated to keeping time. Clocks with two and three gear sets will be able to chime on the hour and quarter hour respectively.
Why does my clock keep stopping at the same time?
If the clock stops at the same time every twelve hours, you should check for a wheel that turns once every twelve hours. There may be a problem with the wheel that is causing the clock to stop.
How do you fix an overwound chime 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 grandfather clock that won't chime?
When the clock selector switch is on chime and still does not work, the next thing to check is a jam in the roll pin. To correct this pull all the chime side hammers back all at once and then let go. This will release a jam in the chime roll pin and let it bounce into position.
Why does my clock stop ticking?
A clock that is out of beat is likely to stop because the pendulum is not receiving the optimum impulses to keep it swinging. If it's badly out of beat it will stop within a few minutes. If it's only slightly out of beat it could run for days but will eventually stop earlier than it should.
How do I fix the chimes on my grandfather clock?
Grandfather clock chimes wrong hour? Wait for the next hour count on your grandfather clock. Count the number of hours the grandfather clock chimes. With your finger, move only the hour hand (the short one) to the number of the hour count. ... Reset the time on the grandfather clock to the correct time.
What is the Seth Thomas 89?
Hello Lawrence. I believe that the Seth Thomas 89 is generally an 8-day time and strike movement which used a Count Wheel. There are many variants, including one used in Sonora Chime Clocks but they use Count Wheels.
What does "chime" mean on a 89?
Some pic's of what you have would help. Also, just a terminology thing, but "chime" usually refers to music before the hours are counted. Yours is a striking clock.
Do men with clocks always know the time?
A man with a clock always knows the time. A man with two clocks is never sure.
Do you need adjustments on a clock?
Note, there are many other adjustments but unless the clock has been damaged or messed with, it should not need any adjustments at all, just correct assembly.
How to set a Seth Thomas clock?
What Are the Instructions for a Seth Thomas Clock? Traditionally, Seth Thomas clocks are set from the front by using the key that originally came with the clock. By default, the pendulum will swing at an even pace when placed in the correct position. If the pendulum swings too quickly or too slowly, adjust its pace from ...
How to adjust pendulum pace?
If the pendulum swings too quickly or too slowly, adjust its pace from the front by either turning the key to the right for a faster pace or to the left for a slower pace. A full turn will make the difference of two minutes in a 24-hour period.
Why do clocks chime at 1 o'clock?
Community Answer. Because the arms are not properly aligned with the internal mechanism. Try rotating the arm to the chiming. For example, if the clock chimes at 1 o'clock but the time reads 1:43, move the minute hand to where it reads 1 o'clock.
What do the chimes on antique clocks mean?
Antique clocks were not calibrated to be that exact. The chimes indicate it is approximately that hour.
How to reset time on antique mantel clock?
If you haven’t wound your clock yet, open the glass cover, insert your key, and wind it counterclockwise until it becomes hard to turn.
How to tell if the clock is 15 minutes before the hour?
Move the big hand back counterclockwise to the number 9 and pause. You should hear another sound like a spring unwinding. This sound too is subtle. The clock now registers 15 minutes before the hour.
What is the third hole on a clock?
The third smaller hole is not an actual winding hole; it's to make the clock run faster or slower. You can turn it to the right or left to adjust the speed.
How many times does the little hand chime?
Pause and listen for the clock to strike the number of times indicated by the little hand. If the little hand is on 5 o’clock, it should chime 5 times.
When were mantel clocks popular?
Mantel clocks were popular in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and many people have inherited these old chimers or purchased them from antique dealers. If you are one of those people, you need to know how to set their time or how to re-sync their chimes to match the hour should those two become out-of-sync as they sometimes do.
How to tell if a Seth Thomas clock is antique?
There are a few ways to tell if the ST is an antique. The easiest way is if there are no pits in the movement plates. Please see the picture below. Notice the pattern on the outer plates. The antique Seth Thomas clock movements never had this design pattern on them. It will have ST with a circle around it for a logo. Additionally, the movement will say made in USA. They may also have a few numbers on it such as 89 or 124. It also means that it is not available new, and made before 1950. A repair would be the only option.
Where was the Seth Thomas clock made?
This design on the Seth Thomas movement indicates some interesting things. In short, the date of the movement is between 1950 and 1979, and it was made in Germany. This also means have a good chance of getting a new movement from Clockworks. To get a new movement means the cost is a fraction of the price of an overhaul. It will also ship out right away. The clock will be running right away instead of months later. It is not possible to restore a clock movement so it is better than new. To order a new movement, match up the numbers on the Seth Thomas page. If questions please email us.
What is the email address for clockworks?
If you need help with the installation please do not hesitate to email us – clockworks @clockworks .com
What happens if the chime fails to function?
all 3 are supposed to drop at a even rate. the chime side is getting hung up. if the chime fails to function, the strike will not function. there are some numbers on the back plate of the brass movement itself. these numbers will help identify your clock movement. these are 25-30yr movements.. yours
What is the number on a 1978 clock?
Looking for replacement numbers (just bought the clock) for a clock from 1978. The numbers on the plate are 451-050. The original paper work is with the clock, but it obviously has had a rough life. 0.
How to advance time on a clock?
easiest way to remedy this is to turn the minute hand until it chimes the 4 quarters then strikes the top of the hour. once it strikes the top of the hour, remove the hands and then replace them to the correct time. once this is done, you can advance to current time. –Bob
Is Seth Thomas a true ST?
The Seth Thomas name has been used on so many clocks that are true ST and not really true ST depending on if it was before the name was sold out or prior to this.
How long does a German clock chime?
Please note that post WW2 German mechanical clocks are designed so that if turning the hands fast or stop the clock for a long while it may not chime for up to 3/4 of an hour. This is because the clock is looking for the top of the hour so it does not lose its place as to when to chime.
What is a grandfather clock chime?
Grandfather Clock Chime Issues. When a grandfather clock has issues with the chime functioning these are some basic corrections. The chime is the song that plays every 15 minutes and not to be confused with the strike. The strike is what calls out the hours after it is done with the chime song.
Why are my Westminster clocks silent?
There may be a switch at the 3 o'clock and this switch turns the chimes on or off. If the clock is a triple chime movement, meaning it has three songs, it will have the song selection and also silent on this switch. The movement may have this switch but the dial may not have a slot to get at it on some Westminster only units. If this is the situation access it from the back of the clock instead. Not all movements have the silence switch. So if there is no switch then this cannot be the reason for no chimes.
How to check the weight of a clock?
This is the chime side of the clock and requires the heaviest weight of them all. Check the cables or chains that they are not rubbing anything on their way down to the weight. In other words, the chains or cables do not rub the seat board, pinch or wrap around the movement pillar, or anything like this. They should be straight from the ratchet wheel or cable drum and straight down to the clock weight with nothing rubbing. If the cable or chain is rubbing something it will cause resistance. Resistance is what makes a clock stop because there is not enough weight to drive through whatever is rubbing. So if the chain or cable is rubbing something it's the same as not having the right amount of weight on the clock.
What does ANSO mean on a clock?
Higher end mechanical clock movements sometimes include an ANSO feature. This stands for Automatic night shut off, and the intention is to have the clock be silent automatically from 10pm to 7am (usually). It is possible that it thinks it's night when it's really day, and therefore will not chime.
Why does my clock not chime?
If the clock does not chime it will not strike, so therefore the clock remains silent. This being a mechanical clock, it has no sensors to determine on its own what is night or day. Solution is to go around 12 hours with the clock hands.
How to do a minute hand in chess?
Go forward with the minute hand with fingers while going slow past the quarters. A faint click can be heard and at that point pause and see if it starts chiming. If it does not chime go forward to the next and the next quarter. If the minute hand goes all the way around for an hour with no chime, continue to the next section.
