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Home › Forums › Clocks and Scientific Instruments › Spring

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
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  • 2 September 2016 at 10:44 #253571
    Speedy Builder5
    Participant
      @speedybuilder5

      Question. Do clock springs get tired over time? I have a small 'kitchen' pendulum clock which has an 8 day spring and westminster chime (which is driven by 2 more springs, but not used or wound up). It has been running OK and keeping time, but has suddenly stopped. Its relatively clean, wound up and not overwound. I can't see an obvious blockage such as spider web or dead fly in the movement. I don't think that the inactive chime is stopping the main movement.
      If I swing the pendulum a little, it will tick tock with a regular beat for a few mins then stop. If I remove the pendulum, it remains stopped, so it seems a problem with the main clock spring drive.
      Any ideas please?
      BobH

      2 September 2016 at 10:44 #3735
      Speedy Builder5
      Participant
        @speedybuilder5

        Clock spring is tired

        2 September 2016 at 11:05 #253581
        Martin Kyte
        Participant
          @martinkyte99762

          Oil the pivots?

          Martin

          2 September 2016 at 11:51 #253598
          Speedy Builder5
          Participant
            @speedybuilder5

            Certainly the pivots are dry and we have / having exceptional dry and hot weather for the last 2 months (house temp 26deg C , Outside 37 deg. I am just cautious of over oiling.

            2 September 2016 at 11:54 #253600
            roy entwistle
            Participant
              @royentwistle24699

              Do NOT be tempted to try WD40 please

              2 September 2016 at 12:12 #253606
              Martin Kyte
              Participant
                @martinkyte99762

                Add a little clock oil to the oil sinks with a cocktail stick then, unless you have a proper oiler. Start off with the escapement pivots, friction gets less of a problem the further down the train you go.

                regards Martin

                2 September 2016 at 12:32 #253611
                roy entwistle
                Participant
                  @royentwistle24699

                  BobH On some chiming clocks there is a small lever near the 3 on the dial to stop either chiming striking or both

                  Can you turn the hands forwards ( clockwise ) easily What time did the clock stop Don't force it

                  Roy

                  2 September 2016 at 12:36 #253612
                  Speedy Builder5
                  Participant
                    @speedybuilder5

                    4:20 in the morning (It could chime on the 1/4 , but chime springs not wound up) – Seen the lever, and its free and didn't change the situation. It won't run even with the pendulum off at the moment, just a few tic tock and then stops.

                    2 September 2016 at 12:52 #253615
                    roy entwistle
                    Participant
                      @royentwistle24699

                      BobH Though not wound up could still cause problems Wind both strike and chimes and see if it helps. A couple of turns will do. If you feel any resistance when moving the hands forward that indicates a part of the chiming mechanism binding

                      3 September 2016 at 11:23 #253801
                      Speedy Builder5
                      Participant
                        @speedybuilder5

                        Interesting, A half turn winding of both the chime springs seems to have loosened things up with a bit of a chime. I will have to see how things go on.
                        BobH

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