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Smith Westminster 8 day clock issue

Meandeanman

By Meandeanman
in All Things Clocks

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Meandeanman Member

Meandeanman

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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

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Rixy WRT Addict

Rixy

Posted
Posted

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.

VideoCapture_20241119-210233.jpg.c54b5cf7c186d6280f5b948dc38c14bc.jpg

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.

VideoCapture_20241119-210140.thumb.jpg.181a3cbf278c75b21fbd8787dde3b9e2.jpg

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.

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Rixy WRT Addict

Rixy

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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.

image.png.571e0093e286131b487e28ecc6a12f9c.thumb.png.43d5fb0f0dcae2c75db4816119459129.png

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. 

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Rixy WRT Addict

Rixy

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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:20241120_211439.thumb.jpg.0a06a84439952da9d48a18ddb0f3aca0.jpg

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.

image.png.d92ad1aef21b08aee1c3736e958bcf6f.png.7d9c05a01ca40c663229eefe9541288b.png

 

Edited by Rixy
Misleading instruction given
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