400 day clock observation

[LittleWatchShop]

I serviced a Schatz a month or more back.  It has been running ever since, but I have observed recently that time seems erratic.  It is not the verge fluttering at mid position.  I think what is happening is that as the hands turn, the minute hand loosens up and gravity may be playing with me.

Does that sound reasonable, or am I smok'n something?

Here is a picture because everybody likes them.

Edited April 12, 2022 by LittleWatchShop

[watchweasol]

Hi LWS  your oservation is entirely feasable. What I would check it its connection on the front plate, the hour wheel/minute wheel are not slipping giving th same effect. Is the min hand tight on the shaft. If the escapement is operating correctly there are seceral possibles  the clutch on the center wheel, the engagement od the hour ans min wheel and the hand fitting its self.           Have a beer ar two and it wont matter anyway

[LittleWatchShop]

18 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Is the min hand tight on the shaft.

I think the problem is the cannon pinion.  It has zero traction on the minute wheel post--zero.  That cannot be right, no???

I noticed this when I assembled the clock but thought that when the hand nut is installed it pulls the elements together providing the friction.

[LittleWatchShop]

The way this works is the washer sitting behind the cannon pinion provides a backstop for the cannon pinion and when the nut is tightened, it joins the cannon pinion and the minute wheel arbor.  This must be tight so that the cannon pinion, and thus the minute hand, cannot freely rotate with respect to the arbor.

[LittleWatchShop]

I tried to bend this little spring washer to take up more space and I broke one side.  Looks like it is made of spring steel like that of a mainspring.  What is it called?

[watchweasol]

Hi LWS  It probably acts as a clutch providing the ftiction required to rive the hands 

[oldhippy]

Its a tension washer it has to be just right or the minute hand will not carry. Which in you case is happening. 

[LittleWatchShop]

2 hours ago, oldhippy said:

Its a tension washer it has to be just right or the minute hand will not carry. Which in you case is happening. 

Indeed. I broke one side, so I am now in the hunt. Then to figure out how to get it just right. The clock is running great, otherwise.

[LittleWatchShop]

The clock that keeps on giving.  It stopped after running for a month or two.  I will investigate further,

In the mean time, I am questioning my suspension spring build.  It is the correct thickness for the Schatz 49, but now it appears that I assembled it too short.

I do not have the Horolovar book that gives the proper dimensions, but I found this on Mills Clocks UK.  Can anyone with the Horolovar book validate these dimensions?

[watchweasol]

Hi LWS  this is ascan from the page in the book. the images are the correct size and are used to assemble the suspension wires   hope this is some use. I

SCAN FROM HOLOVAR BOOK.pdf

[LittleWatchShop]

On 4/25/2022 at 12:56 PM, watchweasol said:

Hi LWS  this is ascan from the page in the book. the images are the correct size and are used to assemble the suspension wires   hope this is some use. I

SCAN FROM HOLOVAR BOOK.pdf 449.82 kB · 2 downloads

I installed a new suspension spring using the specifications from this page and it has been running for a day now.  My previous attempt was too short.  I did not see how far off the fork was.  At any rate, now it is looking good.

I am virtually certain that I used that book back when I was repairing clocks for my dad as a kid.  He must have let that book convey with his shop when he sold it because I cannot find it in his library.

[watchweasol]

Hi LWS  looking good , That book is invaluable when dealing with the 400 days.  fingers crossed.

[LittleWatchShop]

31 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Hi LWS  looking good , That book is invaluable when dealing with the 400 days.  fingers crossed.

Next time a 400 day shows up, I will buy it.  AND, I will charge my friend to cover the cost.  Right now I am fixing clocks and watches for friends for free.  Man, on man, I have so many new friends now!

[grsnovi]

5 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

Man, on man, I have so many new friends now!

Plus, there's all of us here...  

[oldhippy]

You will find the 400 day clock repair guide book by charles terwilliger is a must if you encounter these clocks. Gives you all you need to know, the correct position of the blocks and the fork is vital.  The 400 day setting in beat tool is a must have as well. Its this tool.

 

 

[LittleWatchShop]

3 hours ago, oldhippy said:

You will find the 400 day clock repair guide book by charles terwilliger is a must if you encounter these clocks. Gives you all you need to know, the correct position of the blocks and the fork is vital.  The 400 day setting in beat tool is a must have as well. Its this tool.

 

 

I have seen it and considered buying it

[Mozart]

Hello! I want to repair my anniversary watch, but I can’t download the electronic version of the 400 day clock book anywhere. Help me, if anyone has a link or the file itself. Thanks for understanding!

[LittleWatchShop]

Prolly does not exist. Buy it. I have an earlier edition that I do not need.

Edited April 9 by LittleWatchShop

[Mozart]

Dear, the scanned book 400 day clock exists, and I saw it myself, but I can’t find where to download it. Thank you

[Dell]

Mozart

What problem are you having because that’s all I restore so I may be able to help.

Dell

[oldhippy]

1 hour ago, Dell said:

Mozart

What problem are you having because that’s all I restore so I may be able to help.

Dell

I have already mentioned to Mozart that I can't find  PDF of the book, and that he should buy it.