Seth thomas grandfather clock

QuestionEdit

QUESTION: I have a 1980's ST grandfather clock that has not been run for 13 years. I got it started, keeps great time, but the chimes/gong do not work. Gears move but R/L weights do not move. What can I do? Movement is A403-029 Thanks, Bev

ANSWER: Hi, Bev. It could be that there is a silence lever that is in the silent position, and that needs to be moved to the chime position. Some clocks also had transporting levers that were held against the chime and strike levers. Check to see if anything is constraining them. Over time the lubricants in a clock movement will become gummy whether the clock was run or not. This will cause functions of the clock to stop. The weights power the time, chime and strike. The time weight in the center is dropping as it provides power to the running of the clock. As the chimes and strike are not working, the weights remain stationary. The clock should be cleaned and oiled, and being run for 17 years, it should be checked for wear. You could oil and grease the movement, but that would involve removing it from the case to do the work and then reinstalling it and realigning the chime hammers, etc. I do have a general labeled photo which shows the lubricating points and also instructions for lubing a clock. Right now my shop computer is being worked on by my computer guy as it got hit with a virus. All of my photos and instructions are on it. But let me know what you find on your clock, and in the meantime I'll see if I can get my computer back.

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QUESTION: Have already cleaned and oiled what is available by moing off the bonnet, as well as put the lever in chime position. Would appreciate the diagrams when you get your computer back Thanks, Bev

AnswerEdit

It was supposed to come back today, but I was told that there are still some glitches but maybe tomorrow.

Bev, contact me at my email address below and I will send you my instructions and photos.

QuestionEdit

Hi John, I just want to ask some basic questions. I pick up a Seth Thomas grandfather clock at a auction. It appears to work fine. It is a model 4372a and the movement is a a403-031. I think the date code on the movement is 8505 so I know it is not a antique. I was wondering what kind of maintenance you would suggest. I bought this for my 16 year old as he as always wanted a grandfather clock. What kind of routine maintenance should we do to the clock and when should I have a trained professional service the clock. I also noticed some rust on long metal chimes is that anything to be concerned with? I got it a pretty good price so I want it to last for him so any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Joe

AnswerEdit

Joe, I believe you are correct on the date code and if my memory serves me correctly, it would have been manufactured in May of 1985. If I find I'm wrong I'll let you know. The movement was actually made by Hermle for Seth Thomas and my cross reference list is a little confusing as it has two movements for that number in the spreadsheet. However, if it is a Westminster chime movement it would be the Hermle 451 94cm and if it is a triple chime movement it would be an 1151 94cm. Some clockmakers do maintain their own clocks if they have the proper instructions and the ability to do so. If you contact me at my shop email address below, I'll send you some general instructions for doing this. My recommendation for maintenance is to have it serviced every 7 to 10 years by an experienced clockmaker. This includes cleaning, inspecting for worn or broken parts, repairing any found, oiling and adjusting. When I encounter rusted chime rods, I rub them down with steel wool and a product like WD-40. Spray the WD-40 on the steel wool, not the rods themselves. Then wipe them down with a soft cloth. Do this gently, as repeated flexing of the rods can weaken them. Let me emphasize that no chemicals should be used on clock movements other than those especially formulated or tested for clocks. Never spray anything on a clock movement. Some people get clocks running by spraying WD-40 on them, but this can ruin a clock in the long run. WD-40 is not a lubricant. It is a water displacement penetrating type of formula. I use WD-40 for many other applications frequently, but not clock movements. I hope this helps a little.

Note: Because of the number of Allexpert questions and follow ups, and the excessive backlog in my shop, I regret that I can only answer the Allexperts related questions in a timely manner.