cuckoo clock minute hand - tension is too tight

[luiazazrambo]

Hi Clockmakers,

This is my first ever cuckoo clock and I almost broke the minute hand because the minute wheel is too tight on the center shaft. How do I remove that ring without damaging anything? Time to do a miniaturized bearing puller? If i can remove it, will it be possible to put it back again without damaging anything?

 

[oldhippy]

Never remove it. It doesn't need to be removed. Clean all the parts and grease or oil (I preferred grease) it where metal rubs metal. You can check that it moves smoothly by just putting the hand on the square or use pin tongs.  

[luiazazrambo]

Thanks Oldhippy, somehow I had that feeling so instead of trying to take it apart I inserted a blade between the washer and the wheel and between the wheel and the shaft seat and applied some Molykote DX paste. It is much better now. It required a lot of torque to rotate after cleaning I assume the cleaning removed the lubrication. I attach a picture to better represent what I was talking about (this is one side of the wheel where I applied the grease):

Edited November 13, 2021 by luiazazrambo

[oldhippy]

Jolly good. A little tip about hands, never rotate the hands from the tips always move the hand as close as you can get at the center, that way you will prevent bending the hand or even breaking the thing off. 

[luiazazrambo]

5 hours ago, oldhippy said:

Jolly good. A little tip about hands, never rotate the hands from the tips always move the hand as close as you can get at the center, that way you will prevent bending the hand or even breaking the thing off. 

Totally agree. Good advise.

[luiazazrambo]

Cuckoo cuckoo.

(Temporarily on the side of my book shelf)

 

Edited November 13, 2021 by luiazazrambo

[oldhippy]

That needs adjusting, the door should stay open when striking. 

[luiazazrambo]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

That needs adjusting, the door should stay open when striking. 

My internal voice told me that something is wrong but was not sure about it. Going to adjust, but not today. Spent lot of time with it, took it apart a few times, learnt a lot.

[watchweasol]

You will probably find the latch that holds the cuckoo bird arm is not locking during the call and then releasing at the end

https://www.bavarianclockworks.com/blog/diy-cuckoo-clock-repair-guide/

https://frankenmuthclock.com/blogs/news/easy-troubleshooting-guide-for-your-cuckoo-clock

Here is a couple of sites which have some useful information.          cheers

[oldhippy]

That would be the place to start. 

[watchweasol]

Hi Looks like a regula movement I have attached a couple of exploded diagrams for your interest.    cheers

[Ahrens63]

Is there a way to adjustment the tension on this part? Perhaps a special tool?

 

Thanks,

Denise Ahrens

[watchweasol]

Hi whats the prob;em, is it slipping on the arbour.  They are normaly a friction fit and normaly left alone unless the hole is worn and needs bushing in the plate. Closing the hole in the cam never had to do it but it would probably better to replace the cam.

[oldhippy]

How tight is that part (cannon pinion) that goes on the center wheel shaft.  It should be friction tight. When you have added the washers and collect nuts it should be tight enough for you to move the hands around and tight for the movement when working to carry the minute  hand round. 

[karen936]

Our coo coo clock was working fine. Now the minute hand stops shy of the 12 will not advance on it's on beyond that but works good till that point. Any ideas, thank you.

 

[oldhippy]

Take the hands off and see if it goes. If it goes past 12 a few time then it is the hands that are causing the problem. I see you have had problems with the tension, I expect it is that. 

[LittleWatchShop]

17 hours ago, karen936 said:

Our coo coo clock was working fine. Now the minute hand stops shy of the 12 will not advance on it's on beyond that but works good till that point. Any ideas, thank you.

 

When the hands approach 12, more energy is required to initiate the cuckoo strike.  I suspect the clock needs cleaning and oiling.  Has it ever been serviced?  How long has it been running since purchase or last service?

[watchweasol]

Hi both the answers from Old Hoppy and LWS  are valid and these points need addressing first before progressing any further, come back when these points have been checked and proved,  cheers.