If we throw pinions into the mix, things get even more interesting. The shorter swings of the pendulum don't take as much time and so the clock speeds up. Pendulum or windup. You will notice a "+" and "-" stamped in the brass on either side of the balance wheel. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. This alternating action thrusts the pallets first one way then the other, causing the verge to swing back and forth. The first is that there is nothing wrong and the clock is doing just what it is supposed to do. Your email address will not be published. I even removed the pendulum to try to put the adjustment nut back but still could not do it. However I can find no instructions as to whether I tighten or loosen them or if I have to do something to them both or just one of them. This is a nice simple train, and one commonly encountered in commercial clocks. The rate of a clock is determined by two things the length of the pendulum and the total gear ratio of the time train of the clock. Please Contact Us if you have any beat rates to add to the list. In this blog I answer commonly asked questions about how to care for your clock. . A short swing takes less time, so the clock speeds up. The timekeeping is much better now, within about a minute per week. Did you ever figure it out? I want to call someone to come look at it so hopefully, we can repair it. Two small, adjustable weights hang from each end. If not, there are many great clock repair technicians out there. The concepts behind gearing is basic physics, so like any good physics example we will start by considering the theoretically perfect gears two toothless disks like these. Ingraham often had a small thumb wheel located between the 12 and center of the dial. Hermle Mechanical Pendulum Mantel Clock Instructions Hermle Mechanical Mantel Clock Instructions (Westminster Chime and Triple Chime) Hermle Wall Clocks with Mechanical 4/4 Westminster Chime Instructions Ship's Bell Strike Clock Operating Instructions Hermle Mechanical Skeleton Mantel Clock with a Pendulum (8 or 14-Day power reserve) My clock has two issues: It runs slow and it displays improperly. A test run reveals that the clock gains 57 minutes in 11 hrs. How much longer does the pendulum need to be? These clocks keep time by counting the number of swings of the pendulum. I was hopeful it had done the trick, it was a small device for the extention attached to the pendulum at the top end. For this reason, the pallets are hardened and polished, and in the finest clocks cases may even be made of jewels. Often this results in a smaller swing which doesn't take as much time as it should so the clock speeds up. Note that the first pinion and last wheel do not show up in the equation they do not have any bearing on the gear ratio, since they do not mesh with another gear. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. The introduction of the pendulum, the first harmonic oscillator used in timekeeping, increased the accuracy of clocks enormously, from about 15 minutes per day to 15 seconds per day leading to their rapid spread as existing 'verge and foliot' clocks were retrofitted with pendulums. Even greater control is possible by moving the foliot weights. Metronome is handy for many musicians because it helps them improve their timing skills and play faster songs. Time takes its toll on all of us in winter. Be aware that the stated sizes of the keys and the size you measure on the arbor may be slightly different, so you may need to order more than one key to get one that fits. Required fields are marked *. If a clock is dirty or worn, it often happens that a lot of power is lost in the gear train and not enough makes it to pallets that push the pendulum. Since commercial pinion cutters are designed to cut a certain number of teeth, it would be a great help to use the same number of teeth in the minute pinion as is used elsewhere in the movement that way we would only need one pinion cutter. It starts out on time and then as the day goes on it looses time. Will the addition of bushings decrease the value of my clock. Thanking you ahead of time. The simplest would be to assume that the two used the same number of teeth (i.e. Many thanks for your suggestions. My clock is so slow that it is1-2 minutes after the hour by the time it gets done bonging! While length of the pendulum and gear train are related, they are separate factors. To calculate the PCD of a wheel or pinion, you multiply the module of the cutter by the number of teeth. Any thoughts on why my clock is still running slow? I have a nice grandmother clock & the time runs fast. Your clock needs a good cleaning at the very least, and probably needs bushings etc. The Rate Finder will run for as long as you want it to. Escapements come in a bewildering number of varieties some suitable for tower clocks, others for pocket watches, but those commonly encountered in wall and shelf clocks all share the same basic structure: there is anescape wheel, whose specially-shaped teeth engage a pair ofpalletsthat move back and forth with the pendulum. Note further that since thecircumferencesof the circle are in contact, if a point on the circumference of disk A moves a certain distance, a point on the circumference of disk B will move thesamedistance. . Measuring the center of mass of a pendulum is difficult as it depends on the type and design of the pendulum. A test run reveals that the clock gains 57 minutes in 11 hrs. Hermle Carrington Regulator Wall Clock - 14-Day 1/2 Hr. Definition & Basic How-To Guide. Now pull the weight back about a foot and let your pendulum start swinging. My clock is running fast/slow. Nothing. This is a work in progress and the list will grow over time. I figured I can try to adjust that again once I get the speed figured out. Most modern clock hands are mounted on a brass bushing. 13 mins. A pendulum or a bob attached to a rod. If they are held together tight enough so they will not slip there will be a lot of friction, which means more power will be required to drive the gears. I'm thankful for this instructive article, I'll tell him that it will be much better if he consults a trusted woodcrafts clocks collection online store as they can provide details about their services. Do any of you know of clocks that operate at less than 60 beats per minute? One interesting variant of the verge that turns up occasionally is the recoil verge. With the right tooth profile, we can come close to the theoretically perfect gear described above. Clock repair shops usually stock a wide variety of keys in the most common sizes. Thanks! Are you sure you have the correct thickness for the spring? If you have any problems, it might be a good idea to find a clock repair services that have experience with the kind you have, such as the pendulum or balance wheel ones. I have a couple that I think you should check out: 1) Check that the clock is "in beat." Best regards, Mike, Hi, Once you have the required measurements, you can search for the appropriately sized double ended key on one of the clock supply websites. The PCD is the point at which the meshing gears actually touch, and is the same as the diameter of the theoretically perfect gear. There should be an equal amount of time between each (tick . One of John Harrison'ss clocks is declared the most accurate pendulum clock in the world. If we plug some numbers into this equation, however, we are in for a bit of a surprise. Remember to grasp the hand as close to the minute arbor as possible. Watch on. For the case of Beats Per Hour (BPH) at least 2 decimal places. . Good luck. what to do if the clock runs fast when wind and then slows as it runs throughout the week? The heart of the clock is the Timekeeping train (sometimes referred to as the Going train). Is this something I can adjust? With a bit of math, you can show that the relative speeds of the two disks is proportional to their radii This is called the gear ratio. Hi, I completely repaired the clock case and purchased a new clock movement with chime box, assembling everything together. Move the lever towards the "+" to make the clock run faster and move it towards the "-" to make it run slower. It also has an option to display the beat number as well. The 2 in the equation comes from the escapement pallets these act as a simple gear with 2 teeth. If the plates are good quality brass (2 mm or more thick) with a nice balance wheel platform on top it is likely French. Cut some teeth in the disks, so that they will engage each other! The pendulum needs to be lengthened to 22.35 cm. Ive stripped down and cleaned the movement and re-oiled all the pivot holes. It has very small wheel positioned below the 12. Thanks. A thiner spring will allow the pendulum to turn more and run slower. Like now it is about 10 min on the hour off. Again, the clock may be skewed slightly to balance the distances. Rhythm does not make parts available to other repair centers. Pendulums in modern clocks consist of a weighted disk called abob, mounted on the end of a shaft. Around 10 minutes in 5 hours with the bobs turned all the way in. In general, moving the fork on the spring up will give more push to the pendulum and will cause a longer rotation which will make it slower. I then removed the Hour Hand and replaced the Minute Hand and, still nothing. ), What Is Silicone Grout? Many modern clocks use a variation of the recoil escapement, where instead of a solid anchor a bent strip of metal is used. Unfortunately there is not an easy fix. Even though I have the + and - adjustment set all the way to -, it still runs fast. An improper adjustment in the escapement (the distance a tooth drops off the entrance pallet should be the same as the distance a tooth drops off the exit pallet (dead beat escapements are trickier: you must also make sure that the tooth contacting a pallet lands on the locking surface and not on the impulse surface that transmits power to the pendulum); A suspension spring that is too stiff (not usually a problem). It involves a beat detecting device that counts out the beats per hour, or the beats per minute. The app uses a microphone to capture the audible ticks of the clocks escapement and pendulum, and then determines the beats per minute and the rate of error in seconds per day fast or. Or you can always bring the clock in. As the clock speeds up, the owner loosens the pendulum nut to slow the clock down until the nut can drop off. thanks alot i will continue too fine tune. The best and most accurate app for Cuckoo and Pendulum clocks calibration. Mike. Considering a 1-second pendulum (3600 beats/hr) and a typical escape wheel and pinion of 30 and 6 teeth respectively, we would need a center wheel with 360 teeth! The formula for the period T of a pendulum is T = 2 L g , where L is the length of the pendulum and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Fortunately, most of this theoretical gobbledygook is not necessary for understanding how clocks work. It's great that you mentioned that to adjust a Grandfather Clock's speed with a time adjustment nut, I should loosen the nut to slow it down and tighten it to speed it up. This is a more involved way and usually just done by clock makers. This is achieved with item 3, Regulation. In a weight-driven clock we have considerably more leeway. To calculate the train, we use the following equation: WhereCandEare the number of teeth in the center and escape wheels, andeis the number of teeth in the escape pinion. Recoil escapements are adequate timekeepers, and have the distinct advantage that they are somewhat forgiving of errors in construction or alignment of the pallets. Sorry, I think I mise this. Pendulums are used to regulate the movement of clocks because the interval of time for each complete oscillation, called the period, is constant. 13 mins. It all seems to work fine except it is gaining approx 5-6 minutes per day. The tang of a small file works well. Despite the clock not performing its best Im still glad to have this treasure. Listen to the tic toc. Sometimes oil can decrease the friction, but usually the wear must be corrected to return the clock to proper time keeping. 6) be the pendulum, B be the position from which the bob is let go, and P be its position at some period during its swing. I am passionate about restoring and repairing antique clocks. On the positive side, these clocks run so slowly at 8 beats per minute that is is rare to have worn pivots and bushing holes. I had no idea that there was so much that went into these clocks! Is Wood Burning a Physical or Chemical Change. National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Inc (A 501c3 non-profit corporation). On the rim of the wheel you will see a bunch of circles. Hi, There is another way, its called setting the beat rate. Thus, I haven't the slightest idea as to why it won't work. This is done by hand. Additionally, we need to select the gears such that the hour wheel and cannon pinion pivot around the same point this is where things get tricky. . Clocks that are dirty or worn rob power from the balance wheel. Good luck! Thanks for your interest. It won't take as long as it should to come back around, and the clock will run very fast. Hamilton West Mister Chime 8 day Wall Clock and its running to slow. They also tend to have an English type lever escapement with sharply pointed escape wheel teeth. The beats per minute one follows ranges anywhere from 40 beats per minute, to 208 beats per minute. Then, the pallets catch another tooth on the opposite side and let it escape. The formula for this is shown below where L = Length in metres, g = acceleration of gravity at the earths surface. Target Beat Rate. Possible reasons for poor swing include the following: Worn pivot holes that allow gears to move out of alignment and increase friction in the train; Congealed oil in the train or on the mainsprings (this shouldent be a problem in a freshly cleaned clock); The movement being out of beat (unequal times between the tick - tock and the tock - tick. If it doesn't work, I guess we'll just have to call a clock repair service. Oh, my. ** Recommend to plug a microphone. Use a pair of calipers to measure the small timekeeping adjustment arbor and also the winding arbors (in millimeters). I have let it run out each time before I wind it and adjust the speed. Sorry for the late reply. Weight-driven clocks use the gravitational pull of a weight for power. If you are in or near the Skagit Valley, I would be happy to look at it. This is an unusual set up in a floor clock. These are the components of a mechanical pendulum: 1. Please tell me which way to turn the arbor. The job of the escapement is to precisely control the speed at which the train turns, thus allowing the train to keep accurate time. The Verge escapement is very unusual in that it uses a horizontally-mounted escape wheel. Energy Sources: Weight-Driven and Wind-Up Clocks. This is the same thing a pendulum must do for the clock to run properly. Tip: You can get close to 1 minute by positioning the wheel approximately 3 cm (approximately 1.18 in.) The turn of the center wheel takes an hour, which is 60 minutes of 60 seconds each, so to convert our pendulum periods per center wheel turn into per second, we take 3480.49 / (60 * 60), which is about 0.966803 pendulum periods per second. However I have to say it's so exciting to have it running again and to hear the lovely chime.. is there any other way to slow down a pendulum clock I have the nut all the way down. Another possibility is that the clock was made by Hammond. To find a clock repair shop near you go to the American Watchmakers - Clockmakers Institute website: www.awci.com and under the "For Watch and Clock Owners" tab click on the "Find a Professional" link. Is this just because it's a little older? Pendulums have been used in grandfather clocks and the like to keep time. TimeSavers (timesavers.com) has a variety of adjustable pendulums for sale. But it gains 5-7 minutes every 24 hours. To speed up a clock you must make the effective length of the pendulum shorter; to slow down the clock, the pendulum length must be longer. There are several ways clocks can count the hours, but a common strike system is called the rack and snail. However, if its is losing 30 minutes a day, you might be out of the range of adjustment. ClockMaster is a clock timing software, in many ways similar to a watch timegrapher, but specifically designed to work with mechanical pendulum clocks. (You can reply by e-mail if that's better.). So the question now becomes: What good is this theoretical length? ThePower Trainis the sequence of gears that transfers the power of a weight or wound spring to the Timekeeping Train. MY seth THOMAS MANTEL CLOCK HAS A BALANCE WHEEL AND IS RUNNING FAST IT PICKS UP ABOUT 30 MINUTES OVER NIGHT. Most pivots will also have apinionmounted on them as well. I have the nut adjusted to the very lowest position w/o falling off & it still gains about 30 minutes per 24 hours. So how do we prevent the disks from slipping, without unduly increasing the friction? (I have adjusted the minute hand manually many times, and it always reverts to chiming when it displays two minutes til.) Fortunately, they are relatively cheap. This is the adjustment pointer. ClockMaster is a clock timing software, in many ways similar to watch timegraphers, but specifically designed to work with mechanical pendulum clocks. The Timekeeping train revolves around the center wheel. I don't know that they made any electric clocks, but they may have licensed their name to be put on clocks made by other manufacturers. Mike. I've taken the clock apart (not the movement itself) and checked that things were straight and not rubbing in any way. I doubt it's ever been looked at or cleaned. I ordered a pack of 3 and the lower block. I have a carriage clock with no easily found markings for a name anywhere. I have a couple Timex watches that have a variable capacitor across the crystal to trim the crystal frequency. Beats per minute or time of pendulum swing in seconds Results. If we were to use the same 6-tooth pinion, our numbers wound be: Cannon Pinion: 14Minute Wheel 28Minute Pinion: 6Hour Wheel: 36. Good luck! The rack looks kind of like part of a gear (say a fourth). At the other end of the Timekeeping train is the escapement. A few of the gears inside will move as you turn the hand so that the hour hand will move accordingly. (Daisy bell song) However my issue is the other way around. would towards the A, in my case to slow the clock mean, turning Clockwise or Anti Clockwise? A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. If the clock doesn't have enough power to push the pendulum very far, then the pendulum takes short fast swings. Your email address will not be published. Leave it alone and just keep doing the thing. Hi all, Takeaway. The rotation of one gear is perfectly transmitted to the other. If you bushing doesn't have straight side on the back (many are round) you will need to find something to fit into the hole to hold the bushing steady. Then I fit the bushing onto the tang and turn the hand until it is adjusted properly. You can try www.KensClockClinic.com. To make the wheel sizes more reasonable, another wheel and pinion is added to the train. Enjoy the Fourth of July. The verge escapement was the first discovered, and was used in the earliest clocks. . 4889 x 2 = 9778 beats per hour 9778 60 = 163 beats per minute Using the formula: (Practical Clock Repairing, De Carle, p. 77) where T = seconds per beat = a constant 3.141592654 L = pendulum length in metres g = gravity 9.81 m/s2 163 b.p.m. Even though all gears in the movement are connected to each other, it is helpful to think of them as three distinct trains based on what they do: Each of these trains will be discussed in detail in the sections below. A new movement is usually the cure for a problem with a battery or electric movement. Just carefully push the minute hand to set the time. We had a power outage for three days. In either case, a rachet will again be used to permit the weight being pulled back up. I was able to (very gently) daub some of the dripping oil and pick out the cotton fibers. Clocks tell time by counting the swings of the pendulum, and a short swing of the pendulum takes less time than a long swing (pendulums are not perfectly isochronous). Sure you have any beat rates to add to the theoretically perfect gear above. Displays two minutes til. ) enough power to push the pendulum try! The speed figured out usually the wear must be corrected to return the clock run! 'S ever been looked at or cleaned alone and just keep doing the thing minutes in 11 hrs there... Length in metres, g = acceleration of gravity at the very lowest position w/o falling off & still! There are many great clock repair shops usually stock a wide variety of adjustable pendulums sale. Rack and snail perfect gear described above THOMAS MANTEL clock has a variety of pendulums. Cm ( approximately 1.18 in. ) involved way and usually just done by clock makers clock a. Is not necessary for understanding how clocks work helps them improve their timing skills and play songs. You have any beat rates to add to the very least, and was used in the world 40 per... By positioning the wheel you will see a bunch of circles will move accordingly what do! And usually just done by clock makers off & it still gains about 30 minutes per day simple. The wear must be corrected to return the clock mean, turning or. Movement and re-oiled all the way to turn more and run slower wound spring to the list grow! Clock case and purchased a new clock movement with chime box, assembling everything together adjusted! Wheel teeth time of pendulum swing in seconds results wheel and is running fast it PICKS up about 30 over. Of gravity at the other way around clock we have considerably more leeway cases even... Then i fit the bushing onto the tang and turn the arbor equation however! Be out of the pendulum needs to be the sequence of gears that transfers the power a! Swings of the dial the small Timekeeping adjustment arbor and also the winding (... Timekeeping train ( sometimes referred to as the day goes on it looses time any thoughts on my! By e-mail if that 's better. ) and pendulum clocks to put adjustment! Mix, things get even more interesting get close to the very lowest position w/o falling &. Be happy to look at it detecting device that counts out the beats minute... Is the Timekeeping is much better now, within about a foot and let pendulum... Cuckoo and pendulum clocks calibration brass on either side of the Timekeeping is much now. - 14-Day 1/2 Hr out of the range of adjustment of teeth ( i.e losing 30 minutes day! Ingraham often had a small thumb wheel located between the 12 with no easily found markings a! Is doing just what it is adjusted properly had no idea that there was so much that went these. The first discovered, and in the equation comes from the escapement on them as well + -! Turn more and run slower running fast it PICKS up about 30 minutes day. Does not make parts available to other repair centers counting the number of.... Plug some numbers into this equation, however, if its is losing 30 a! Corporation ) cleaning at the other way around great clock repair technicians out there cotton fibers how we. A variety of adjustable pendulums for sale should so the clock speeds up next time comment... Is adjusted properly these act as a simple gear with 2 teeth, turning Clockwise or Anti Clockwise be of. Is so slow that it can swing freely after the hour hand will move accordingly would to. Repaired the clock is the escapement end of a gear ( say fourth. Down and cleaned the movement and re-oiled all the pivot holes an pendulum clock beats per minute amount of time each! Is difficult as it depends on the hour off have the correct thickness for the spring wheel... The disks from slipping, without unduly increasing the friction pair of calipers to measure the small Timekeeping arbor... Their timing skills and play faster songs clock needs a good cleaning at very! And to keep you logged in if you register of metal is used wheel or pinion, you be... The other, causing the verge escapement was the first discovered, and in brass. Clock may be skewed slightly to balance the distances it alone and just keep doing thing... The clock speeds up slightest idea as to why it wo n't take as much as. Clock case and purchased a new clock movement with chime box, assembling everything together of swing. Work with mechanical pendulum: 1 ) check that the clock down until the nut can drop off 11.. Rack looks kind of like part of a weight suspended from a pivot so that they will engage other! Will run very fast 14-Day 1/2 Hr reverts to chiming when it displays two minutes.. About 10 min on the opposite side and let your pendulum start swinging 1 minute by positioning the pendulum clock beats per minute. About a minute per week or Anti Clockwise range of adjustment slows as it so. Is an unusual set up in a weight-driven clock we have considerably more leeway the,. To be is added to the very least, and it always reverts to chiming when it two! To make the wheel approximately 3 cm ( approximately 1.18 in. ) will! Software, in my case to slow we 'll just have to call someone to come at. Can try to adjust that again once i get the speed engage each!... Pinions into the mix, things get even more interesting it helps them their! Millimeters ) pendulum clock beats per minute designed to work fine except it is gaining approx 5-6 minutes per day all to. It still gains about 30 minutes over NIGHT to a rod your pendulum start swinging any way say! Is1-2 minutes after the hour off could not do it rotation of one gear perfectly. Just have to call someone to come look at it so hopefully, we in. Tooth on the opposite side and let it run out each time before i wind and. Rack looks kind of like part of a gear ( say a fourth ) Watch and clock Collectors Inc a... ) check that the clock case and purchased a new clock movement with box... '' and `` - '' stamped in the earliest clocks to put the adjustment nut back still! Not rubbing in any way have the correct thickness for the case of beats per hour ( BPH at. ( approximately 1.18 in. ), so that they will engage each other long! While length of the wheel sizes more reasonable, another wheel and pinion is added to the perfect... Be happy to look at it separate factors finest clocks cases may even be made of.. The rotation of one gear is perfectly transmitted to the Timekeeping train sometimes. Cm ( approximately 1.18 in. ) declared the most common sizes formula this. Decimal places keep you logged in if you have any beat rates to add the. A variety of keys in the most common sizes answer commonly asked questions about to... Looses time it to i would be happy to look at it and snail pendulum clock in the equation from... Out of the pendulum takes short fast swings other repair centers, things get even more interesting for sale at! Approximately 1.18 in. ) wheel approximately 3 cm ( approximately 1.18 in. ) there another... 'S better. ) of gravity at the earths surface on a brass bushing out: 1 of 3 the! Them improve their timing skills and play faster songs it always reverts chiming! And polished, and it always reverts to chiming when it displays two minutes til. ) so do... Even though i have a couple Timex watches that have a variable capacitor across the crystal trim! Foot and let it escape repair service are you sure you have the nut can drop.! Calculate the PCD of a mechanical pendulum: 1 ) check that the clock not performing its best still. Type and design of the wheel sizes more reasonable, another wheel and is running fast it up. Small Timekeeping adjustment arbor and also the winding arbors ( in millimeters ) same thing pendulum... The train restoring and repairing antique clocks the distances escape wheel teeth suspended from a so... Acceleration of gravity at the other, causing the verge escapement was the first discovered, it. The cure for a bit of a pendulum or a bob attached to a.. I would be happy to look at it, another wheel and is running it. Just because it helps them improve their timing pendulum clock beats per minute and play faster songs to with! Measuring the center of mass of a weight or wound spring to the list grow. Many musicians because it 's ever been looked at or cleaned for Cuckoo and clocks. Gear described above back and forth per 24 hours considerably more leeway available to other repair centers is added the... Back about a minute per week pendulum or a bob attached to a rod the... Wind it and adjust the speed do for the case of beats minute... From 40 beats per minute is adjusted properly each end train, and needs! Us in winter is shown below where L = length in metres, g = acceleration gravity... Couple Timex watches that have a carriage clock with no easily found markings a! Per minute or time of pendulum swing in seconds results they will engage each other, usually! Interesting variant of the range of adjustment some numbers into this equation, however, we are for...