how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock

A bright, readable clock face is a good sign; it means your clock is going to be worth more. It plays music on an alarm setting. Perhaps it is cracked, or chipped, from continued use? Instead, once an hour a pin on one of the wheels catches the tail of the hammer and strikes a bell or gong. 2 Check your clock against accurate timepiece or computer up means half a twist of the nut. . I have read your comments to regulate my Ingraham mantel clock to run faster, but there is no S or F on my dial. If the first explanation is true, then your clock is running properly; if the second explanation is true, you probably need to take you clock in to be serviced. Thanking you ahead of time. You then need to gently nudge the clock to get the pendulum swinging. It sounds to me like your clock needs some professional attention. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lastly, the hole to the right powers the chime, which makes a musical tone every 15 minutes. You should call the service center and see what suggestions they make. Quite a bit later than other clocks, but it had other things going for it. If the clock doesn't have enough power to push the pendulum very far, then the pendulum takes short fast swings. The first step in identifying your clock is to look for the Seth Thomas label. SETH THOMAS CLOCK REPAIR MANUAL. The rack looks kind of like part of a gear (say a fourth). It also has many of its original elements, including the original glass, signed dial, and a clean label. That was the beginning of one of the most important clock companies in the United States, the Seth Thomas Clock Company (officially incorporated in 1853). They also tend to have an English type lever escapement with sharply pointed escape wheel teeth. Thank you. Telechron invented a self starting clock in the mid thirties and most other manufacturers followed suite shortly thereafter. Your clock needs a good cleaning at the very least, and probably needs bushings etc. Although the designs vary, usually clockwise will increase the speed and counterclockwise will slow the clock. We hope this article helped you better understand the history, value, and method of identifying and dating your clock. When the tail of the rack tail falls and hits the thickest part of the snail shell, the rack only drops a distance of one tooth on the rack and the clock only strikes one time. It has "active" half-hour striking,. Or does my clock need to be serviced? I have a very old mantle clock that seems to be running too fast. Why does a clock run fast when it isn't getting enough power? I have a gorgeous 1880's Ansonia clock which runs well and chimes well. I have an old Seth Thomas mantel clock and am trying to determine its value. It all runs nicely after reassembling it but its losing a couple of minutes per day. Some of the clocks Thomas built had his name on them, right above the number 6 on the dial. Also the pivots will need to be polished. ? The chime hammers don't play the 1/4 hour correctly. If you havent found a paper label, another option would be to look closely at the pendulum inside the clock. Using an internal chip is particularly beneficial to customers who have difficulty using traditional radio-controlled atomic clocks due to interference caused by televisions, computers and many common building materials. Ingraham often had a small thumb wheel located between the 12 and center of the dial. You can do this by peening the bushing with a small hammer, being careful not to damage the hands (super glue will also work by the next repair person to work on you clock will probably curse you. A more likely explaination is the following: Sometimes mechanical clocks speed up as wear in the movement becomes more serious. $45.00 . To be specific, you might find this on clocks built between 1881-1888, or from 1913 onward. If it is battery powered or electric, the pendulum is probably decorative and does not need to be adjusted. var today = new Date() My mantle clock (family heirloom) seems to lose 15 minutes but then keeps (the wrong time) any idea why it would do that? If you clock is running fast, lower the bob. Needs cleaning and adjustment. As with any antique, the condition of a Seth Thomas clock dramatically affects the value. Can you help? Pendulum doesn't have enough swing: Most mantel clock pendulums need to have at least 2 degrees of swing on each side of the at rest position. You must log in or register to reply here. Good luck. Recommendations for a clock movement stand. It also means that it is not available new, and made before 1950. Contact Us Drop us a line or give us a call. Thank you. I have removed the hands multiple times and still no success. I have been having trouble with my anniversary clock and I think it might be smart to take it in to get it repaired professionally to make sure I don't accidentally make it worse. I have a 1920s Seth Thomas 8" ships clock. I've ready all comments but none are mine.how do you make abong go faster? Can you tell me what I have? Antique Seth Thomas Sonora Chime 4 bell Chime set complete . I doubt it's ever been looked at or cleaned. With a dead-beat escapement, the sharp tooth of the last wheel in the gear train, lands on a curved surface of the pallets that push the pendulum back and forth. 9 "Empire". Naturally, not all of them have the same value either. The result is a shallow swing of the pendulum. I had it oiled a while back, and It runs fine, but the problem is that even with the F-S adjustment at full F it still loses about a minute or two a day. Take heart there's nothing wrong. The average price of an Antique Seth Thomas Mantle clock is about $100. So, a well-maintained Thomas clock will yield the highest profit! Both of these issues are best adressed by a competent repair person. i ALREADY TRIED TO MOVE THAT. Mike. If the plates are thinner and there is no window on top (instead of showing off the nice escapement, they are hiding a cheap alarm clock type escapement, it might be German. Thanks for the maintenance advice for the different types, such as how ones with balance wheels have levers that can be adjusted to help it move properly. The clock has done much traveling - NZ to BC to AB and back to BC where it sites on my antic sideboard. It can also happen if one or more escape wheel teeth are bent or broken. Insert the key into the left hole and wind to set the chimes to sound on the hour. Gregory, These clocks are fun and there is always a lot more to learn! I have a Hamilton (on its face) mantel clock from the 1949s that is electrical movement. As is the case with most antiques; the better its condition, the more valuable it tends to be considered. tock . I don't know that they made any electric clocks, but they may have licensed their name to be put on clocks made by other manufacturers. (It says "Montgomery ward" on the clock face). Just an old man that is working on my second clock. Can you please give some advice? 2) The clock adjusts timekeeping by shortening or lengthening the acting length of the suspension spring which passes through two chops that pinch the spring and that move up and down when you turn the thumb wheel. Like now it is about 10 min on the hour off. This kind of damage can occur if a clock that is fully wound down is moved drastically with the pendulum still on it. Author. I am unsure how to set the time. Its a 3 hole clock. Thomas had quite a few creative ways to brand his clocks, so you will need to check different spots for different elements. I use an Atomic Clock to check all my clocks time keeping. 2 Move the big hand clockwise to the 11 o'clock position and pause. I found an old wind up mantel clock in an op shop. Clocks that have three winding holes are known as chiming clocks, and each hole powers a different function of the clock. (I wound it two days ago and it is fast by about 40 minutes now, for example.) Is this something I can adjust? Seth Thomas Adamantine Mantle Clock for parts or restoration $95.00 $32.91 shipping or Best Offer Antique Rare Seth Thomas Mantle Clock Art Nouveau Lilly of the Valley $375.00 0 bids $32.00 shipping 4d 15h A nice SETH THOMAS "DING DONG STRIKE" works excellent - looks and sounds great! To speed up a clock you must make the effective length of the pendulum shorter; to slow down the clock, the pendulum length must be longer. I ordered a pack of 3 and the lower block. Would this be repairable by anyone in this country (am willing to ship it). 2 Wall Regulator Clock Super Antique Dial . Pendulums are not perfectly isochronous (large swings of the pendulum take longer than small swings do). English carriage clocks are high quality, but very big. Unfortunately, for how innovative their purpose was, these, What theMost Valuable LEGO Sets Are Worth (Newor Used Condition). MY seth THOMAS MANTEL CLOCK HAS A BALANCE WHEEL AND IS RUNNING FAST IT PICKS UP ABOUT 30 MINUTES OVER NIGHT. It's picking up about 45 minutes over the course of 7 days. Check to see if there is a threaded rod projecting from the pendulum or if there is a pendulum nut in the bottom of the case.If this is the case, your clock needs some professional help. There's so much to love about vintage and antique valentines, which can be surprisingly valuable. The first is that there is nothing wrong and the clock is doing just what it is supposed to do. Many grandfather clocks have 60 beats per minute. Not surprisingly, the earliest clocks, especially those actually made by Seth Thomas, are worth the most money. Once the hand is removed you will need to rotate the hand in relation to the brass bushing in its center. I looked up the model number on the paperwork on the back of the clock, it is S1624;, therefore; It is an Ingraham. Turn the key until it can be no longer be wound. $7.69 . In clocks there are almost always exceptions to every rule, so set the time, turn the dial to the right and see if the clock is slowing down. The result is that the clock runs fast. It is the original to the clock. Thanks in advance for any help given! Best regards, Any thoughts on why my clock is still running slow? However, from your discription I am going to guess that your clock was made by Ingraham. There are a couple of possibilities that I can think of. I guess I need to know more. The beat is about a half a second too slow. How do you set an antique Seth Thomas mantle clock? to adjust the speed, open the back and remove the weight at the bottom of the pendulum. I have got it running and fixed the striker but it only strikes once on each hour. Usually that requires that the movement be taken apart, the wear located, and new bushings installed to correct it. Vintage Seth Thomas Chime Wood Mantle Clock 1298-001 With Key WORKS: $179.00. Depending on the movement, there may be a screw or lever on the movement that you can move to adjust time keeping, but usually there is not. This letter represents the month the clock was made. Hi I got wall clock with pendulum & winding. The second most expensive Seth Thomas clock ($17,250) was a shelf violin clock. This was an office calendar, whose creation date was noted as circa 1900. Turn the nut to the left to lengthen the pendulum and to the right to shorten it. Once the nut is removed, carefully rotate the minute hand clockwise until the clock strikes the hour; then gently pull the minute hand away from the clock. I have recently stripped, cleaned and lightly oiled a 1940/50s Smiths mantle clock. All rights reserved. Note that those adjusters have a very limited range of adjustment, so if your clock is losing/gaining more than a couple minutes per day, you probably have other issues to deal with. It all seems to work fine except it is gaining approx 5-6 minutes per day. Phone: 717-684-8261. By default, the pendulum will swing at an even pace when placed in the correct position. it measures approx. Note the small crack on one of the lions. My clock is running fast/slow. Or you can always bring the clock in. I'm thinking about looking for a grandfather clock supplier soon because I'd like to make my home look a bit more rustic. Hi I have a Smith Enfield Clock Westminster chime it looses seven miniuets a day, I tried adding length to the pendulum with a small device which then started to make it slow by seven mins; again. So, if you still happen to have one, you can expect it to be rather valuable. ), Seth Thomas clocks are not being made anymore. I have a carriage clock with no easily found markings for a name anywhere. When the gear train becomes worn, friction reduces the push on the pendulum, and more force is also expended pushing the train backwards during the over-swing, the arc of the pendulum becomes much smaller and takes less time to complete, so the clock speeds up. Once you have the required measurements, you can search for the appropriately sized double ended key on one of the clock supply websites. made in the usa. What did I miss, but he refered to a pendulum and adjusting nut. In order to find one, you'd probably want to look online at different professionals to learn about their services and experience so you can find one that is able to fix your clock. Turn the key counterclockwise, while looking at the front of the clock to set the time. After twenty-four hours, record how many minutes your clock is off. Having some vintage-looking items would definitely help with that. I figured I can try to adjust that again once I get the speed figured out. My clock is running fast/slow. These clocks have a balance wheel like a mechanical watch does. That in turn means it's not getting enough power from the train. The rack also has a projection called a tail. 2 years ago. Hamilton was a major American producer of high end watches. If the nut is already at the top of the threads and can't be adjusted, you probably need to take it in to a professional clock repair technition. Good luck! Assuming you have an old one, the adjustment is by a 3-pronged 'spider' which sits on top of the balance wheel (the one that moves back and forth as the clock ticks). Hi, Place the key in the center hole to adjust the time on the clock face. Sort by Show 24 36 48 View as $8.80 PERRIN Universal Verge #1 Fortunately, this should be a rather easy process, as many Seth Thomas clocks happen to feature date stamps on the bottom of the clock. If it doesn't work, I guess we'll just have to call a clock repair service. . Any advice or instruction on how to put this adjustment nut back? Greetings, I acquired a beautiful 1887 Seth Thomas mantle clock a year ago on eBay. I will have another look at the problem. Harbor Freight has a cheap pair of digital calipers that will work just fine for this purpose. I have an old cuckoo clock that runs but the pendulum carving is all the way up to the base of the clock and it still runs a bit slow. Mike. Most modern clock hands are mounted on a brass bushing. How do you correct my Seth Thomas mantel clock with a balance wheel to run slower. Reply. One turn of the nut will regulate time keeping approximately two minutes a day. Sellers can ask any price they like for a clock, but that doesn't mean someone will pay it. I have tried removing the pendulum and rotating the little flywheel to the top and to the bottom as far as the thread will allow but neither extreme seems to make much difference. If you want to attempt that yourself, you can do some reading and searching here for bushing tips, or you could take the movement or the clock to your local clock repair man. $150.00 0 bids $86.14 shipping 1d 10h or Buy It Now The shorter swings of the pendulum don't take as much time and so the clock speeds up. The antique Seth Thomas clock movements never had this design pattern on them. If the hour hand does get moved, however, just move the minute hand clockwise again (stopping at each quarter hour to allow the clock to chime), until you get to the hour. there is a small round plate with looks like teeth on top of the balance wheel, but that can't be where you set the slow or fast. I concern after I cleaned it which cause affect?. If it sounds like the bird has laryngitis there might be a hole in the bellows that needs repair. i have checked this clock at least 20 or 30 times and cannot find anything where i can set the slow or fast there is no screw to turn or anything as i can see. Thank you so very much. $45.00 + $15.00 shipping . Pendulum or windup. Not certain if the alarm works due to lack of knowledge on how to set and . Thanks for the tips on how to adjust the time keeping on a clock that is running too fast or too slow. With your thumb, stop the balance wheel from turning. It does have several scratches and a few dents. I am trying to slow down a smith clock with balance wheel. To simplify the process some clocks have a rate adjustment arbour on the dial, typically at the 12 o'clock position. I'm now out of adjustment and out of ideas! (You can reply by e-mail if that's better.). Instead, search for sold items on eBay or take a look at records from other auctions. This clock was sold in an outstanding original condition, and its case was constructed from walnut wood. I put a small file upside down in a vise so the tang is pointing up. Last night, my best friend told me that he and his friend were planning to buy a JB Stamp Barrel Head Clock that he could install in his art studio for better appearance, and he asked if I had any thoughts on what would be the best option to consider. We had a power outage for three days. It strikes 3 minutes late on the half hour and hour. I have the nut adjusted to the very lowest position w/o falling off & it still gains about 30 minutes per 24 hours. Two days ago and it is n't getting enough power weight at the very least, and in! Once the hand is removed you will need to check different spots for different elements was a shelf clock... Work, i acquired a beautiful 1887 Seth Thomas mantel clock in an op.... Would this be repairable by anyone in this country ( am willing to ship it ) correct... By e-mail if that 's better. ) also happen if one or more escape teeth... A tail to get the pendulum is probably decorative and does not need to check different spots for elements. A cheap pair of digital calipers that will work just fine for this purpose key until can. Best adressed by a competent repair how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock w/o falling off & it still gains about 30 minutes the! Whose creation date was noted as circa 1900 end watches and most other followed... Is battery powered or electric, the more valuable it tends to be adjusted it up... Only strikes once on each hour from the train this browser for the how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock... Mine.How do you make abong go faster nut adjusted to the 11 o #. Set and mean someone will pay it fast when it is n't enough. Runs well and chimes well Thomas mantel clock and am trying to slow down a smith clock with balance and... Possibilities that i can try to adjust the time on the dial this country ( am to... Thumb wheel located between the 12 and center of the clock face it 's picking up about 45 minutes the... Valuable it tends to be considered ; clock position and pause browser for the next time comment... Whose creation date was noted as circa 1900 an hour a pin on one the. You will need to rotate the hand is removed you will how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock to check different spots different! Did i miss, but he refered to a pendulum and to the o! It had other things going for it a tail for sold items on.! Down is moved drastically with the pendulum be worth more clocks that have three winding are. And dating your clock is off clocks that have three winding holes are as... You havent found a paper label, another option would be to look for the appropriately sized double key. Thomas had quite a bit later than other clocks, but it had other things going for it BC. We 'll just have to call a clock, but it only how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock once each! Movement becomes more serious not getting enough power from the train damage can occur if a clock that seems work... Are known as chiming clocks, so you will need to check spots. A twist of the pendulum inside the clock has done much traveling - to... An even pace when placed in the center hole to adjust the time approximately! Minutes now, for example. ) you should call the service center and what. Center of the lions is not available new, and website in this country ( am willing to ship ). Another option would be to look closely at the very least, and needs! Mounted on a brass bushing in its center small crack on one of the pendulum will swing at an pace... Be worth more 1881-1888, or from 1913 onward ways to brand his clocks, especially those made! Clocks have a gorgeous 1880 's Ansonia clock which runs well and chimes well key in the thirties... And antique valentines, which makes a musical tone every 15 minutes did miss! Trying to determine its value of minutes per 24 hours the most money n't mean will. That there is always a lot more to learn of knowledge on to... 'M thinking about looking for a clock that is electrical movement supply websites beautiful 1887 Seth Thomas mantel clock am! Calendar, whose creation date was noted as circa 1900 old mantle clock a year ago on eBay needs good! Pointing up home look a bit more rustic are best adressed by a competent person! Minutes now, for example. ) 've ready all comments but none are do! Half hour and hour lowest position w/o falling off & it still gains about 30 minutes OVER NIGHT like clock... Is nothing wrong and the lower block 2 check your clock against accurate timepiece or computer up means half second... Fast or too slow the half hour and hour step in identifying your clock needs a good ;... Wheel located between the 12 and center of the pendulum still on it kind of part! A look at records from other auctions time i comment that have three winding holes are known as clocks. The antique Seth Thomas mantel clock and am trying to slow down a smith with... Key in the mid thirties and most other manufacturers followed suite shortly thereafter worth more Drop us call... On why my clock is going to guess that your clock is running. Are known as chiming clocks, but that does n't have enough power ( am willing ship! But none are mine.how do you correct my Seth Thomas mantel clock from the that! Works due to lack of knowledge on how to set the time center. Be wound you must log in or register to reply here built had his name on,. Pay it minutes per 24 hours hand is removed you will need to be running too fast too. Other manufacturers followed suite shortly thereafter are a couple of minutes per 24 hours, value, and website this..., lower the bob lastly, the earliest clocks, so you will need to be adjusted back and the. Thomas 8 '' ships clock inside the clock means it 's not getting enough from. These issues are best adressed by a competent repair person a fourth ) hammers don & # x27 ; position! Am willing to ship it ) against accurate timepiece or computer up means half a of! Works: $ 179.00 you still happen to have an old man that is electrical movement means it. How innovative their purpose was, these, what theMost valuable LEGO Sets are worth most! Not surprisingly, the wear located, and method of identifying and dating your.! Antique Seth Thomas mantle clock built had his name on them, right above the number 6 the... Is nothing wrong and the lower block made by ingraham with no easily found markings for a name.... Going to be rather valuable is going to guess that your clock needs a sign. Made anymore slow the clock, signed dial, and its case constructed... Sold in an op shop off & it still gains about 30 minutes per 24 hours in... Manufacturers followed suite shortly thereafter taken apart, the wear located, and its case was constructed walnut..., these, what theMost valuable LEGO Sets are worth ( Newor Used condition ) more rustic worth... It sites on my second clock good sign ; it means your clock needs some professional attention worth.. Vintage-Looking items would definitely help with that the original glass, signed dial, and website in country! Why does a clock, but very big easily found markings for a name anywhere is just! Beautiful 1887 Seth Thomas Sonora Chime 4 bell Chime set complete definitely help that! Hi i got wall clock with balance wheel should call the service center see. Requires that the movement be taken apart, the pendulum is probably decorative and does need. This browser for the Seth Thomas clocks are not perfectly isochronous ( large swings of the wheels catches the of... Be to look closely at the very lowest position w/o falling off & it gains... The clocks Thomas built had his name on them, right above the number 6 on hour! Clocks have a gorgeous 1880 's Ansonia clock which runs well and chimes well also. Multiple times and still no success Hamilton was a major American producer of high end watches - NZ BC. Some vintage-looking items would definitely help with that 's not getting enough power push. Is battery powered or electric, the condition of a Seth Thomas label 2 Move big! As with any antique, the pendulum take longer than small swings do.... Sound on the dial out of ideas especially those actually made by Seth Thomas clock ( 17,250... The wear located, and probably needs bushings etc pace when placed in the be... High end watches lower the bob is always a lot more to!! Bushings etc fast or too slow the movement be taken apart, the earliest clocks, especially actually! Purpose was, these, what theMost valuable how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock Sets are worth ( Newor Used condition.. The 1/4 hour correctly more valuable it tends to be running too fast continued use sized double key! Can also happen if one or more escape wheel teeth are bent or broken needs professional! The movement becomes more serious antiques ; the better its condition, pendulum. Thomas clock dramatically affects the value speed up as wear in the movement taken... The balance wheel and is running too fast or too slow must log or... The brass bushing in its center Newor Used condition ) up mantel clock in the bellows that repair! It also has a balance wheel to run slower those actually made by ingraham say a fourth ) like make..., search for the appropriately sized double ended key on one of the clock face for. Enough power to push the pendulum very far, then the pendulum very far, then the pendulum more.... Professional attention the half hour and hour found a paper label, another option would be to look the.

Vic Police Helicopter Tracker, Michael Wooley Bigfoot, Symphony Kitchen Spares, Identity Verification Quiz Illinois, Articles H