AMERICAN GERMAN FRENCH COUNT WHEEL DESIGN CLOCKS

GENERAL RULES

The same general rules for running the clock are true. Make sure you have a very stable and level surface (left to right) front to back can be a little un-level. Carefully put pendulum on and tilt towards front when moving. Do not bang too hard left or right, as this will upset the running order. Lift one side of clock about 2 inches and put down quickly to start clock. Or when wall clock move pendulum to one side of case and let go. After running a couple of minutes lift one side of case or tilt about 1/4 inch and listen, lift other side of case the same and listen. Each side should be able to lift the same in order to be in beat, if necessary put something under one side to be able to lift the clock at each side equally. The idea is to make the tick / toc the same with each swing of the pendulum. Most clocks are made to wind every 7 days however they will usually run 8 days. Winding at the same day once a week and time will give the best results and wind completely tight.

TO ADJUST TIME

Move hands forward only waiting for chime at hour and half-hour. Hands can be moved backwards but do not turn past hour or half backwards.

TO ADJUST SPEED

To make clock run faster shorten pendulum. (One turn of nut on pendulum is usually about 1 minute in 24 hours) To make run slower make pendulum longer. On most American clocks (and French) there is a smaller keyhole at top of dial that will adjust speed of clock. (One turn of small key is about 2 and one half minutes per day) If clock is within 5 minutes A week call it close enough for you will find it will probably vary that much from summer to winter as temperature changes. Remember the speed varies some with the clock at the beginning of the week and end of week so an average is best over the whole week.

SET THE CHIME

To reset the count of the chime to the hour. (Usually wrong if clock runs down or is bumped) Move minute hand towards the hour (clockwise) 12 o'clock position but be careful not to go past the hour and it begins to chime. If it does go around again and be more careful. You will hear the gears start to move at about 5 minutes to the hour. Stop moving hands forward. Move the hands backwards (counterclockwise )until the clock chimes.(about 15 minutes to the hour ) Note how many times it counts. In German , French and most American clocks the count will be one larger after another example 1-1:30-2-2:30-3 etc. So it may take several chimes before they are in correct order Remember to stop at the one before the correct hour,for example if hour hand is at 3:00 position stop at 2 counts the next one will be correct. Now hands can be moved forward waiting for hour and half hour chime.

CLEANING

The average time between cleaning is 5 to 10 years and should be done (even if still working) as if the mechanism becomes too dirty the dirt causes much more wear. Where as a clean mechanism wears very little. With normal wear a clock can be made to work for many generations. Another
poor idea is to constantly oil the movement , that just turns the dirt into an abrasive slurry which causes much more wear .

GENERAL

It is a good idea to write the providence or history of the clock down and leave with it in order the next generations can enjoy the same history.

ENJOY BRIAN ZIRK 250-923-5368