Long Case winding

[dnhb]

At a friend's request, I've obtained a key for her long case clock which has been silent for some years. On winding it, the weight only rises a foot or so from the floor - & is not visible above the lower panelled section - before the key meets significant resistance. However it then runs quite happily for a day or so by which time the weight is again on the floor. I haven't had the chance to examine the movement but would be grateful for suggestions as to what might be happening here.

[tomh207]

Not a clock guy but have had a poke around a grandfather clock. First place I would look is the drum that the weight cord is wound up to, if the cord is tangled that could be the issue. The cord/gut can also get very hard which if it is tangled would be easier to replace the cord/gut. OldHippy would be the chap to ask.

 

Tom

[oldhippy]

Yes it sounds as if the gut has fouled up. If the clock is not level that can cause the gut not to wind onto the barrel . You need to take it out of its case and post some photos. The type of key for these clocks are crank keys. 

[dnhb]

On 5/21/2024 at 5:31 PM, oldhippy said:

You need to take it out of its case and post some photos.

I told my friend that the hood should slide off forwards but apparently it seems to be prevented from doing so. Anyway she's provided the attached photo which indicates the the reason the train weight won't rise much on winding is that the gut is twisted over almost its entire length. The strike gut is also twisted but not as much which is why it rises up to half way. Not sure simply spinning the weights will solve problem - might need to repeatedly push the pulleys through the gap between each strand of gut. Grateful for advice to forward....

[tomh207]

32 minutes ago, dnhb said:

I told my friend that the hood should slide off forwards but apparently it seems to be prevented from doing so. Anyway she's provided the attached photo which indicates the the reason the train weight won't rise much on winding is that the gut is twisted over almost its entire length. The strike gut is also twisted but not as much which is why it rises up to half way. Not sure simply spinning the weights will solve problem - might need to repeatedly push the pulleys through the gap between each strand of gut. Grateful for advice to forward....

I would recommend replacing the gut personally, that stuff gets really hard and likely at the point it is no longer malleable enough to properly untwist.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/lines-ropes-cords
 

it’s not expensive just fiddly, having done one with the gut I would more likely go with the perlon option now as that should be much easier to knot. All depends how original they want to keep it.

 

Tom

 

[oldhippy]

If the hood will not slide off there might be a catch on the left side as you look at it. open the door and feel up inside to the left. Hoods normally slide of or lift off. Due to age it can be a very tight fit so a little force is needed but be careful not to pull the whole case with movement in side over,  you don't want it to come crashing down. The lines are fraying and need replacing it isn't even on the pulley. 

[dnhb]

Thanks, OH. There is a wooden leaver inside but that only seems to lock the glass door. Will try a bit more pressure - carefully - to see if the hood can be moved forwards. The picture was taken after the strike weight was removed (the clock wasn't running) in order to get a clear picture.

[transporter]

As old Hippy says the hood will come off. I have come across "locked" hoods before at customer houses, I have to say that training never teaches you how to get movements from cases etc, sometimes its like a krypton factor challenge working it out, even worse when you first start out and the customer is watching your every move!!!!

As for replacing the gut line, I would, it looks pretty shot and its not expensive or difficult to do, as usual just ask any questions here.

[dnhb]

Armed with the above assurances that the hood should slide off, a further, more confident attempt was made & was successful! Unwound the gut & shortened that on the train side in removing a very weak section (the owner didn't want to wait for new gut!) & the clock re-started & keeps good time. I've now been given another LCC by another friend - he delivered the whole thing not just the movement as I had been lead to expect - & will shortly submit some questions about it. In the meantime many thanks to the colleagues above.