Floating balance escapement problem

[Rixy]

Hi all.

I have just cleaned and reassembled a Smiths 1960s/70s mantel clock with a floating balance escapement. It was working before I took it apart but after cleaning and reassembling, it refuses to budge. The balance itself is fine (I cleaned it gently with lighter fuel) and there doesn't appear to be any bent pivots. When the pallets rock they don't move enough to allow the escape wheel to 'jump'. Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

[rjenkinsgb]

Is the top of the pallet supposed to be at an angle? It looks as if it may be bent upwards in the first photo.

(Or is it just a trick of perspective?)

[nevenbekriev]

Hi Rixy,

See, the balance is on a separate platform, but the lever is not on it, it is on the movement together wit the escape wheel. The special thing here is that there are banking pins, and they are on the balance platform. The problem You describe is because the banking pins are shifted (together with the entire balance platform) from their correct position that will allow normal work of the lever. Now it is clear seen that when the lever top is moved right and has rested on the banking pin, the downside pin is still on the impulse surface. This means that the entire balance platform must move a little right, just enough to allow the pin to leave the impulse plain. So You must untighten the nuts that fix the balance platform, find the platform correct position that gives normal lever action (this is when 'run to the banking' is equal in both sides) and then tighten the nuts.

[Rixy]

Thank you both for your replies. After some adjustment I finally have managed to get it running.

Every problem is a learning opportunity.  Cheers!

[oldhippy]

I'm late with this one. As you have fixed it Rixy what did you have to do? 

[Rixy]

Hi OH. The bottom pallet pin was snagging on the escape wheel so although there was power to move the wheel, it was unable to go. I gently squeezed the pallets to the left and that released it. It's been running like a good-un since then.