Smith Westminster 8 day clock issue

[Meandeanman]

I have a question?

I have the same Smith Westminster clock as shown in the first post. It quit running so I looked at it and it needed a few bushings replaced, took it apart cleaned it replaced the bushings in question.

now since I put it back together it does run but for some reason it will starts chiming 3 to 5 minutes before the lift lever releases the rack to strike the hour and at time the 1/2 hour

it chimes just fine my problem is when it starts chiming it will not stop until the rack falls and the hour starts to strike, when the hour is done it of course it quits chiming.

I really hope that makes since.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have.

Geoff

[Rixy]

Hi Geoff.

When the clock chimes on the hour the chime locking plate (red arrow on first photo) will move its longest distance and the lever will come to rest in the detent shown in the picture (this is an older Smiths Enfield but the plate is in the same place). You will notice that this section has a bump on it which is to release the strike train into 'warning' (ie ready to go). As soon as the lever drops into the detent, the strike train should start moving.

If it is not stopping chiming you will need to check where the chime train locks inside. On my clock there are two places where it locks (you will see a lever, on yours it might be two side by side) one only locks at quarter-to as part of the autocorrect function. It will probably lock by catching on a pin. If the catch is too high, the clock will keep chiming until the quarter-to hook stops it. You can adjust the height of the hook on the arbor and then fix it by tightening the screw.  The lever must drop in the detent on the chime looking plate and the hook inside must then stop the train from running. Take a photo from the side and we will have a better idea.

Sometimes these sit together on one arbor.

 

The other thing to check is that the autocorrect is working properly. If it is, your clock will only run on the hour if it is released by the longest 'prong' on the centre arbor (look under the snail). If the hour can be released by any of them, you need to go back to your looking hook and adjust it.

Send more photos and a video clip of what is happening, if possible.

[Meandeanman]

Thanks for the information let me look at the clock again, I will send you some pictures of what it’s doing 

thanks again

Geoff

[Meandeanman]

Here are some pictures of the side of the clock works.

it appears to be correct however I am not 100% sure it is.

 

 

 

[oldhippy]

The wheel with the pin that is engaged with the fan or flywheel is in the wrong place it should be just before the pinons on the fan or fly wheel when it is locked. 

[Meandeanman]

Does that mean I need to take it apart to move the gear with the pin?

Or is there an easier way to get it moved?

really appreciate your help with this I can’t thank you enough 

Geoff

[Rixy]

I think you will need to separate the plates to move the wheel OH mentioned (circled in red). This helps when the chime goes into warning, allowing enough momentum to get the chimes going (OH please correct me if I'm wrong). Whatever you do LET THE POWER DOWN FIRST! You might be able to undo the top nuts and release the wheel to adjust it but do be careful not to bend the pivots.

The hook that stops and releases the chime train is circled in yellow. In the picture it looks like the hook on the left is the one that is holding the pin. If this is the autocorrect pin (and I think it is) then it looks like the hook on the right is a little too high. The way I would adjust it is to slightly loosen the screw (see the arrow) that is holding the right hook so it is still a friction fit then gently apply downward pressure so it lowers by a millimetre or so. If you lower it too far the train will never release and you will need to loosen the screw, move the hook back up and start again. Trial and improvement should get the chimes working properly. Remember to tighten the screw when you get it working. 

[Meandeanman]

Can you tell me what position the pin should be moved to? The one in red, I want to get it right since it has to come apart again.

And thank you fir your help with this.

Geoff

[oldhippy]

The one marked in red needs to be near the fan or flywheel pinion or just before. 

[Meandeanman]

Thank you 

now it’s time to take it apart, after I get that done I hope that fixes the issue I am having.

Will let you know after I get it done.

Thanks again 

Geoff

[Rixy]

You can do it!

I also noticed in your photos that the chime locking plate is locked at the o'clock detent. You should check that this corresponds with the longest point on the four-point star attached to the cannon pinion (on the centre arbor). You will need to peak behind the snail to do that. It looks like this:

If you need to adjust, move the minute hand round until the longest arm on the star has clicked (raised and released the lifting piece) and then move it forward a few minutes and make sure any chiming and striking has stopped. Loosen the screw securing the chime plate (behind it) and make sure it is in this position (below), then retighten the screw.

 

Edited November 20, 2024 by Rixy
Misleading instruction given

[Meandeanman]

Thank you again everything helps I really appreciate all the help.

Geoff

[Meandeanman]

Update for all that helped me.

I got the gear moved to the position requested, its running now I will let you know if it solved my issue of the chime running until the minute hand engages.

Thanks again for all of your help, realy hope this does it trick.

Geoff

[Rixy]

Well done. You might get the bug now and want to start on another one.

[oldhippy]

Give it a good test because they can play up sometimes. Watch how it all works as this will help you to understand strikes and chimes from now on. 

[Meandeanman]

Watching the clock now, making sure it continues to work correctly.

my next project is a 1917 Gilbert Steel Plate 8 day clock, its in pretty bad shape.

I can't thank you enough for your help, pretty sure we will be talking again soon.

Geoff

[oldhippy]

  1917 Gilbert Steel Plate 8 day clock, if it has open springs and you intend to take it apart you will need these clamps for both springs. I'm including a photo of what you need and one of how they hold the spring.

 

[Meandeanman]

Thankyou

I have purchased two sets of these before I took it apart.

its now all apart installing new bushings in quite a few areas, the putting it back together is going to be the challenge for me. 

Thanks again.

Geoff

[oldhippy]

This might help.

 

Levers-2 (1).pdf

[Meandeanman]

Thank you

this will help.