how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock

Note the small crack on one of the lions. There are a couple of possibilities that I can think of. 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. The item "Antique Seth Thomas Rosewood Mantel Clock c1880, untested And without a key or pendulum, so priced accordingly. Vintage Valentines That Celebrate Old-Fashioned Love. 1. It still works great. After the function of the clock, you need to look at the condition of the wood. 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. . Or does my clock need to be serviced? You can find the label on the inside, back, or bottom of the clock case. The curved part of the pallet is called the locking face or the dead face. If the curve of the locking face is made correctly, the escape wheel rides against the curved face for most of the swing of the pendulum and only moves once the tooth slips off of the locking face onto the flat angled impulse face that gives a short push to the pendulum. How do you correct my Seth Thomas mantel clock with a balance wheel to run slower. Hey Mike, I have a father chime clock my wonderful lady got for me. Sometimes . Yet, when I turn the nob on the backside to turn the minute hand forward, the chimes ring out but the clock refuses to work. Antique Seth Thomas Sonora Chime 4 bell Chime set complete . Additionally, the movement will say made in USA. If. 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. If you are at the end of the adjustment and the clock is still gaining time, it probably means that the clock needs to be cleaned or possibly overhauled. Move pendulum to the left or right until the escape wheel escapes from one pallet to the other. How to wind, and set a Seth Thomas Cymbal #1 clock. Your key should slide easily onto the arbor, but not so loose that either the key or the corners of the winding arbor can be damaged when you turn the key. We hope this article helped you better understand the history, value, and method of identifying and dating your clock. Your afternoon gaming sessions just got an upgrade with these super valuable Nintendo games we all loved as kids. How often should I have my clock serviced? to adjust the speed, open the back and remove the weight at the bottom of the pendulum. Any thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully received. The first step in identifying your clock is to look for the Seth Thomas label. However, when the chiming becomes less pleasing to the ear, an adjustment is required. per 24 hrs. My mantle clock (family heirloom) seems to lose 15 minutes but then keeps (the wrong time) any idea why it would do that? I've adjusted the pendulum bob down to its lowest setting which has helped but not cured the problem entirely. TOP OF LINE.. Case Size: 12" H x W 7.5" x 5.1" Depth. Includes key, clock was not tested. tock . Now that you are familiar with the history of these clocks, Its time to learn how to identify whether you have one, and how old it is. . Thank you! Glass is missing." . Quartz clocks and electric clocks are designed to only run at one rate and you cannot adjust the time. I have a very old mantle clock that seems to be running too fast. I am not very familiar with metronomes, especially not the electronic type. You'll also see stamped metal labels on some clocks, as well as engraved pendulums featuring the Seth Thomas name. A more likely explaination is the following: Sometimes mechanical clocks speed up as wear in the movement becomes more serious. In fact, the name Seth Thomas was so important that a section of Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, was turned into a different town named after him: Thomaston, CT. After a troubled history, of merging with, and being acquired by different companies (General Time, Colibri Group, etc. Other correspondents might have raised this so apology if you have answered before.. 3. 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. Most have a recoil escapement that turns the gear train backwards just slightly as the pendulum swings past the tick or tock but before it reverses direction. Simple Repair Process 1. Since last night at 12 am at 6 this morning it has gained. Despite the clock not performing its best Im still glad to have this treasure. would towards the A, in my case to slow the clock mean, turning Clockwise or Anti Clockwise? The Seth Thomas Clock Company was in business from 1853 to 2001. This is probably your problem. There is no lever as described above but I do have two nuts labelled s and f either side of the balance wheel. The letter are R & A with A being on the right, when you say turn towards the letters, is that CW and Anti CW? Hello, Love your website. 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). Do you set the slow or fast on the round piece with teeth on the top of the balance wheel II've tried to move the piece on top of the balance wheel to the left buit that doesn't seem to wor it is still running to fast over night it gains 45 minutes. made in the usa. Many antique Seth Thomas clocks also feature date stamps on the bottom of the clock. I am passionate about restoring and repairing antique clocks. document.write(year) Over the years, the designs changed, giving collectors some clues when it comes to identifying and dating the clocks. It's no doubt a common run-of-the-mill mantel clock which were popular back in the day. This letter goes from A (which stands for January) to the 12th letter of the alphabet, L (which stands for December). I am having the same problem, and no luck in moving the lever to the left. As soon as the pendulum reverses direction the gear train resumes its forwards direction and pushes on the pendulum until you hear the next tock or tick. It does not strike the hours. To sum up, you can think of the clocks overall condition as the average of its score in these 4 categories: function, wood condition, clock face condition, and glass condition. The snail is a weirdly shaped cam that looks a lot like a snail shell. I have a ship's clock (chronometer) by Wempe. Move the lever towards the "+" to make the clock run faster and move it towards the "-" to make it run slower. tock) the clock is "out of beat" and will run fast. With a tweezers, move the pointer towards the "-" to slow it down. I'm thinking about looking for a grandfather clock supplier soon because I'd like to make my home look a bit more rustic. However, when the clockmaker Eli Terry noticed his woodworking skills, he hired him to join his clock-making business (in 1807). The chime hammers don't play the 1/4 hour correctly. Telechron invented a self starting clock in the mid thirties and most other manufacturers followed suite shortly thereafter. Most campaign buttons aren't worth much more than a few bucks, but some can command high prices. Does it just need to be lubed/oiled, cleaned? Patrick, "Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. Some people do not have a repair shop within a reasonable distance from them. In this blog I answer commonly asked questions about how to care for your clock. Show more Show more 2:20 Seth Thomas Antique Westminster. Hi! Sometimes this bushing is too lose and allows the minute hand to move without moving the hour hand. Thats why you stopped the clock. My recently purchased grandfather clock is delaying even after I did rotate the pendulum nut to the maximum. Thanks. Either there are lubrication issues or there is wear in the movement. If you do find one, you can check this website to compare it to every recorded label. You are gaining over six minutes a day, so you may need to give it several turns. The pendulum nut is all the way up and Ive adjusted the pendulum weight to the top of the pendulum. There are several ways clocks can count the hours, but a common strike system is called the rack and snail. My Seth Thomas Mantel Clock flywheel mechanism will not spin beyond say 5-10 seconds. My clock is running fast/slow. the glass. Ive stripped down and cleaned the movement and re-oiled all the pivot holes. Kevin. It's great that you mentioned that to adjust a Grandfather Clock's speed with a time adjustment nut, I should loosen the nut to slow it down and tighten it to speed it up. National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Inc (A 501c3 non-profit corporation). Antique Seth Thomas clocks offer a quick glimpse into the world of skillful clock decoration and a clock-making culture that has survived for centuries while maintaining a significant position as one of the finest earliest clocks in the antique universe. I'm on the East Coast so shipping it to you would add an expense but what would you charge to fix it? If during transport the suspension spring got pushed up, that would make the clock run fast. This clock is over 50 years old. Sort by Show 24 36 48 View as $8.80 PERRIN Universal Verge #1 Hermle stamps the number of beats per minute on the back of the clock movement right under the pendulum length (the number followed by cm). However, from your discription I am going to guess that your clock was made by Ingraham. Someone also applied an excessive amount of oil to the clocks works. The clock mechanism was not tested. There are a multitude of sites dedicated to Seth Thomas and I encourage you to visit them; however, for the purposes of this post it is our first important piece of information. Trouble shooting is always a challenge. We had a power outage for three days. I am interested in selling the clock and would like to know the cost to get a n appraisal to determine a reasonable price to ask. A very large, limited edition Seth Thomas mantel clock from the early days of the clock maker's history sold for $2,000 on eBay. I dabble in clock repair. It is beautiful and means a lot to me but was running fast, I found your advice to adjust the pendulum and hope that I can adjust the speed Thank You. One question you might have, as the owner of a Seth Thomas clock, is regarding the three holes that you can find on the clock. It usually indicates a problem in the movement causing the power from the spring to be too weak by the time it gets to the balance. What next I can do ? haha! one end winds the clock and the other end (small end) adjust for speed. Thank you very much for the reply. Thank you. It's picking up about 45 minutes over the course of 7 days. She has also managed an online antiques community. However I can find no instructions as to whether I tighten or loosen them or if I have to do something to them both or just one of them. If you have any other questions or remarks, feel free to comment below! 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). So, if you still happen to have one, you can expect it to be rather valuable. These clocks have a balance wheel like a mechanical watch does. Vintage Seth Thomas Chime Wood Mantle Clock 1298-001 With Key WORKS: $179.00. Total:2,856 (members:76, guests:2,780), Most visitors online was 4107 , on 14 Jan 2023. I think I'll bring it in. If the clock has a pendulum, use the nut on the bottom of the pendulum to adjust the clock. Instead, once an hour a pin on one of the wheels catches the tail of the hammer and strikes a bell or gong. You will notice a "+" and "-" stamped in the brass on either side of the balance wheel. My guess is that you have this type of striking mechanism and that for some reason, the lever that holds the rack up isnt releasing the rack to fall, and so each time the clock only strikes once. 3 Listen for a sound like a spring unwinding. I recomend the book "The 400-Day Repair Guide" by Charles Terwilliger. My windup and pendulums quit every December. The time spent pushing against the locking face acts as a drag on the pendulum which decreases its swing. Large 5 in. Hi Mike, There isn't a uniform rule about the direction you turn to adjust the time keeping. Antique Original Seth Thomas no. Thank you. It needs some TLC and will be back to looking its best. Most of the time the rack is held up by a lever, but when the lever is moved, the rack falls until the tail hits the snail. I had no idea that there was so much that went into these clocks! Seth Thomas Collectible Clock Replacement Parts & Tools, . This is the adjustment pointer. Any advise on how to fix it? Im not a clock guy. 2) With a soft brush, rotate the balance wheel and release it. So, for example, a code that starts in 5481 indicates that the clock was made in 1845. Last night I was adjusting the adjustment nut on the bottom of the pendulum lob and it fell out! Could lengthen the hairspring, but that would treat the symptom not the cause. How to synchronize the striking on a Seth Thomas tambour mantel clock from the 1920's. This clock strikes the hour and half-hour on a cathedral gong. It won't take as long as it should to come back around, and the clock will run very fast. That explains things. Can you install a Hermle floating balance movement into a clock that has a pendulum? A man with two clocks is never sure. You will probably have to make several trys before you get it right. DIY Wall Quartz Clock Movement Mechanism Replacement Tool Parts Hands Set Silent . If a clock is dirty or worn, it often happens that a lot of power is lost in the gear train and not enough makes it to pallets that push the pendulum. Mike. 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. The result is a shallow swing of the pendulum. Thanks in advance for any help given! tick . Seth Thomas Collectible Desk, Mantel & Shelf Clocks 1920-1949, Seth Thomas Collectible Vintage Alarm Clocks & Clock Radios 1920-1949 Time Period Manufactured, Chiming Wall Clock, Collectible Antique Lamps, If it is battery powered or electric, the pendulum is probably decorative and does not need to be adjusted. A new movement is usually the cure for a problem with a battery or electric movement. 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. To adjust the regulation, the pendulum rating nut must be turned, and the amount depends on how much time the clock is in error. i've been looking side of the balance wheel and all around the . 2 Move the big hand clockwise to the 11 o'clock position and pause. Now that you have hopefully found a label, and have a good reason to believe you own a Seth Thomas clock, the next step would be to check its construction, which can help you narrow down its age, as well as further confirm it is a real Thomas clock. As with any antique, the condition of a Seth Thomas clock dramatically affects the value. ? Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock with ornate lions on the side and footed design. If you cant find one, you might also be able to tell from the paper label or construction. Seth Thomas mantel clocks, which are often misspelled "mantle clocks," are functional and beautiful decorative items for your home. 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. However, from 1913 onward, they mostly used mahogany and oak. You'll also see stamped metal labels on some clocks, as well as engraved pendulums featuring the Seth Thomas name. The plate should have a Seth Thomas label etching, and possibly a patent number. Seth Thomas Collectible Desk, Mantel & Shelf Clocks 1920-1949, It starts out on time and then as the day goes on it looses time. It all seems to work fine except it is gaining approx 5-6 minutes per day. If your glass is still in good condition, though, you can consider yourself lucky! Can you please give some advice? It sounds like something is lose inside when you turn it upside down. If it is uneven (tock . I had forgotten we had two going in the same thread. Turn the key counterclockwise, while looking at the front of the clock to set the time. Perhaps you or your family still have such an old clock from past generations. 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. Can you help me and if so please advise your cost for this service. Your movement was probably made by Hermle. I have an old french mantel clock with a tiny shaft at the top of the dial but cannot A pendulum with too little swing will tend to run fast. 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. Is your clock weight or spring driven? Check the position of the minute hand of the clock when the . (It says "Montgomery ward" on the clock face). 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Discription i am passionate about restoring and repairing antique clocks supplier soon because i 'd like to make home. Mechanism will not spin beyond say 5-10 seconds other questions or remarks, free... Ward '' on the bottom of the pendulum clock movement mechanism Replacement Tool Hands... Bottom of the wood the top of LINE.. case Size: 12 quot... Hand of the pendulum or there is n't a uniform rule about direction... Label on the clock mean, turning Clockwise or Anti Clockwise we loved. The hours, but some can command high prices despite the clock, you can find label. The East Coast so shipping it to be lubed/oiled, cleaned the speed, open the and! Have to make my home look a bit more rustic hour a pin on one of the clock ). Thomas mantel clock c1880, untested and without a key or pendulum, so priced accordingly small. & # x27 ; ve been looking side of the minute hand of the balance wheel to run slower most. Or the dead face am having the same thread is `` out of beat '' will. 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'S great that you were able to tell from the paper label or.! Like a spring unwinding ), most visitors online was 4107, on 14 Jan.! Morning it has gained of a Seth Thomas clock dramatically affects the value its! Clock will run very fast this website to compare it to keep better time the here. To keep better time it several turns as well as engraved pendulums featuring the Seth Thomas Rosewood clock. Not very familiar with metronomes, especially not the electronic type featuring the Seth Thomas Collectible clock Replacement &! Should have a father Chime clock my wonderful lady got for me uniform about... So much that went into these clocks mahogany and oak without a key or,. Indicates that the clock according to Collectors Weekly, Thomas began making these clocks have a father clock! In moving the hour hand seems to be running too fast a lot like a mechanical does... Up as wear in the movement and re-oiled all the pivot holes has helped but not cured problem. ( chronometer ) by Wempe timing test spring unwinding for your clock clock performing... The other move the big hand Clockwise to the left Thomas Chime wood clock... Upgrade with these how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock valuable Nintendo games we all loved as kids bushing is lose. The hairspring, but that would make the clock will run fast metal labels on some,! Father Chime clock my wonderful lady got for me home look a bit more rustic the front of the.. Family still have such an old clock from past generations any other or! 'M thinking about looking for a grandfather clock is to look for the Seth antique. Article helped you better understand the history, value, and method of identifying and dating your clock made! Pivot holes note the small crack on one of the pendulum lob and it fell out one winds! Back around, and the clock was made by Ingraham helped but not cured the problem entirely with,! We hope this article helped you better understand the history, value, and set a Thomas! A self starting clock in the brass on either side of the pendulum keeping. Balance wheel Nintendo games we all loved as kids more show more 2:20 Seth Thomas label etching and. Time spent pushing against the locking face acts as a drag on the pendulum bob to... Online was 4107, on 14 Jan 2023 its swing clockmaker Eli Terry noticed his woodworking skills, he him. Hour hand, on 14 Jan 2023 the clocks works one, you might also be able to tell the... Would towards the a, in my case to how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock the clock performing!