If you look into the back of the clock, on the top of the movement will be a very small gear that the adjusting key turns. . . 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. Many thanks Thanks for your interest. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. Usually, clock collectors are the ones looking for such antiques. That explains things. 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. 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, I found an anniversary clock in a thrift store that needed a new suspension spring. Then adjust the bob up, or down, to change the pendulums effective length. It was crooked, angling to the right a smidge. If you cannot adjust the timekeeping of the clock slow enough, that likely means that the clock needs some TLC. 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 have an old Seth Thomas mantel clock and am trying to determine its value. Id also like to mention when I got the clock the seller had placed a lot of packing material (cotton fiber) inside of the clock. Now that you understand just how important the Seth Thomas name is, you might be wondering if all of the clocks made by this company are equally valuable. Many antique Seth Thomas clocks also feature date stamps on the bottom of the clock. There are several ways clocks can count the hours, but a common strike system is called the rack and snail. How often should I have my clock serviced? Can you tell me what I have? An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written about antiques for many years. Additionally, the movement will say made in USA. Any way to identify this clock? In general, moving the fork on the spring up will give more push to the pendulum and will cause a longer rotation which will make it slower. The time alway correctly at all the time but Pendulum Bob seem rusty & dirty so I decided to cleaning pendulum Bob and it look like brand new and shine silver then I put it back but it often stopped and often 5 mins behind the time. Contact the Webmaster for perceived copyright infringement (DMCA Registration Number 1010287). Item in good used condition Show age related flaws Comes with a key Sold AS-AS SHOWN Clock ran before being stored After min Air Cleaning it was lightly lubed ( bushings,moving parts) with Synthetic C The plate should have a Seth Thomas label etching, and possibly a patent number. Unfortunately, this may have a negative impact on the value of your clock. JavaScript is disabled. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Old Seth Thomas Mantel Clock Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique McCoy Pottery Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Shaker Furniture Value (Identification & Price Guides). Mantel Clock with rear pendulum: Place the clock on a level surface with the back facing you, and open the back door. All rights reserved. I'd rather not make that long trip again just to it adjusted. 5 Count the number of strikes. I have an old coocoo clock and h have moved the leaf but it either goes 15 fast or 14 slow what can I do the owner says I had correct weights, Thanks Mike, This coo-coo clock belonged to my deceased sister Julie, has been hanging on my wall for several years now.. i'm glad i found you, thought it would be a really complicated problem, followed your inst. It starts out on time and then as the day goes on it looses time. If it is battery powered or electric, the pendulum is probably decorative and does not need to be adjusted. My Seth Thomas Mantel Clock flywheel mechanism will not spin beyond say 5-10 seconds. 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. First of all, you should know that the Seth Thomas company used different types of wood in different time periods. Be aware that the stated sizes of the keys and the size you measure on the arbor may be slightly different, so you may need to order more than one key to get one that fits. The rack has at least 12 teeth and usually a few more. If there isn't enough power pushing the wheel back and forth, the wheel will not turn very far. 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. 2 Move the big hand clockwise to the 11 o'clock position and pause. It strikes 3 minutes late on the half hour and hour. If instead of slowing down the clock is gaining even more time per day, turn the wheel in the opposite direction. You should call the service center and see what suggestions they make. The earliest models used exclusively wood movements, which were completely replaced by brass ones as early as 1842. 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). There's so much to love about vintage and antique valentines, which can be surprisingly valuable. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I suggest you contact the Rhythm Clock repair line at 770-640-6311. It doesn't turn very far which doesn't take as long so the clock speeds up. and only after twoo days of monitoring, its only losing 1 min. Unfortunately, for how innovative their purpose was, these, What theMost Valuable LEGO Sets Are Worth (Newor Used Condition). We have a Howard Miller Grandfather clock here at home and we have it since 1991. Usually you turn the thumb wheel to the Left to make the clock run faster and to the Right to make the clock go slower. (NOTE: The clock is level, as I have a small level and it shows that the clock is perfectly level). This letter goes from A (which stands for January) to the 12th letter of the alphabet, L (which stands for December). Someone also applied an excessive amount of oil to the clocks works. Around 10 minutes in 5 hours with the bobs turned all the way in. 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. I'm now out of adjustment and out of ideas! Leave it alone and just keep doing the thing. It all runs nicely after reassembling it but its losing a couple of minutes per day. (Daisy bell song) Or does my clock need to be serviced? I am passionate about restoring and repairing antique clocks. Now known as one of the pioneers in the mass production of clocks, Seth Thomas started by working in a completely different field. Why does a clock run fast when it isn't getting enough power? Just an old man that is working on my second clock. You can check to see that the clock is fully wound and that the hands are not touching each other, the dial, or the glass: but usually the problem lies withing the movement. So, if you still happen to have one, you can expect it to be rather valuable. (den) vintage seth thomas wood cased mantle electric clock. On the movement plate the letter E is stamped inside of a large C. Hello, Love your website. However that adjustment lever or wheel would be clearly visible from the back. 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. Reset the clock by moving the minute hand clockwise until you reach the correct time. . Once back together, I checked the hands, the bob, the rod, the verge, everything there is straight and not rubbing. If the clock is running slow, turn the nut at the bottom of the pendulum to your right, tightening the nut. I have a similarly issue to John L in this string. tock . Remember to grasp the hand as close to the minute arbor as possible. I have a german made pendulum clock circle 1920 that loses about a minute a day. With a tweezers, move the pointer towards the "-" to slow it down. 1) Unpack the clock Take clock and key carefully out of carton. 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. Any thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully received. To reiterate, the most straightforward one would be the date stamp. (You can reply by e-mail if that's better.). ", Ahh. If you have any problems, it might be a good idea to find a clock repair services that have experience with the kind you have, such as the pendulum or balance wheel ones. If it does not, open the back door and start the balance wheel swinging by either of these two methods: 1) Quickly rotate the clock in the plane of the balance wheel to impart motion to it. I'm thinking about looking for a grandfather clock supplier soon because I'd like to make my home look a bit more rustic. 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. The case is wood and the columns are metal and green. verge and escape wheel combos Home Escape Wheels and Verges Escape Wheels and Verges Escape wheels such as Kieninger escape wheels and Seth Thomas escape wheels are available here at Perrin's. We also have an array of different verge combinations to suit your clock repair needs. These clocks usually only have one winding arbor or weight. Again remember to grasp the hand close to the bushing when making this adjustment. As is the case with most antiques; the better its condition, the more valuable it tends to be considered. There is no silencer that I can see. To be specific, you might find this on clocks built between 1881-1888, or from 1913 onward. You will notice a "+" and "-" stamped in the brass on either side of the balance wheel. . Thank you! Is there an easy fix for this? Adding weight to the pendulum will likely make the problem worse. Be careful however, many do not. Which way would I turn it to make the clock slow down. 7 Valuable Nintendo Games You Just Might Still Have. I am not very familiar with metronomes, especially not the electronic type. Cuckoo clocks generally tend to run faster as they become worn. 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. Often this results in a smaller swing which doesn't take as much time as it should so the clock speeds up. It is "started" by "winding" a small stem protruding from rear of clock by using two fingers and turning it. If you happen to be the owner of one of his early clocks, you know youve got a valuable piece of history on your hands. Beautiful Seth Thomas mantle clock in great working condition, chimes on the hour 1:00 one chime, 2:00 two chimes and so on, and chimes once on the half hour, nice crisp sound. Next, you have the clock face condition. Lastly, the hole to the right powers the chime, which makes a musical tone every 15 minutes. Description: Seth Thomas Mantle Clock - Tampa. You can thin the spring yourself by gently pinching it with very fine emory paper and stroking it a few times. Quartz clocks and electric clocks are designed to only run at one rate and you cannot adjust the time. Lay the clock face down on a pad to protect. Fortunately, this should be a rather easy process, as many Seth Thomas clocks happen to feature date stamps on the bottom of the clock. I just got a 31 day korean movement pendulum clock. to adjust the speed, open the back and remove the weight at the bottom of the pendulum. My windup and pendulums quit every December. Antique Seth Thomas Sonora Chime 4 bell Chime set complete . . Seth Thomas Collectible Desk, Mantel & Shelf Clocks 1920-1949, Lastly, there is the glass condition. I had no idea that there was so much that went into these clocks! The hole to the left powers the strike, which happens at the top of the hour. Key Differences Between Grandfather and Grandmother Clocks, If you grew up visiting your grandparents' house, you're probably intimately familiar with the iconic bing-bongs that their old grandfather clocks made every hour on the hour. This clock is over 50 years old. Vintage Valentines That Celebrate Old-Fashioned Love. The first step in identifying your clock is to look for the Seth Thomas label. How do you correct my Seth Thomas mantel clock with a balance wheel to run slower. document.write(year) Thanks so much for your information regarding clocks running fast or slow. Always try to grasp the hands close the the brass bushing, and try to avoid bending the hands. However, when the clockmaker Eli Terry noticed his woodworking skills, he hired him to join his clock-making business (in 1807). It does have several scratches and a few dents. This letter represents the month the clock was made. If the key doesnt turn at all, you are winding in the wrong direction. 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. 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. At first the clock and the chimes worked perfectly and, after 10-hours, the clock stopped but the pendulum continued to swing as it should. I have a little bit that I can shorten the spring. Sometimes this bushing is too lose and allows the minute hand to move without moving the hour hand. Look at the American Watchmaker's - Clockmaker's Institute website for their "Find a Professional" page. Thanks for your page, I have learned a lot! Customer Service available per 24 hrs. The worn pivot holes result in increased friction that reduces the power available to push the pendulum back and forth. belonged to my gradfather, but net time. Clearly, Seth Thomas was a truly outstanding American clock manufacturer, who left behind a rather impressive legacy. If youve found your date stamp, you might be somewhat confused, but dont worry; the code isnt nearly as strange as it may appear at first sight! Finally, you are likely interested in finding out the age of your mantel clock. Then you need to swing the ball to the left for it to start. The beginning of the week it is fast and by the end of the week slow. Vintage Seth Thomas Chime Wood Mantle Clock 1298-001 With Key WORKS: $179.00. Once you have the required measurements, you can search for the appropriately sized double ended key on one of the clock supply websites. Rhythm does not make parts available to other repair centers. Beyond that, it also happens to be a rather early design, created in September 1885 (according to the date stamp). the bird sounds like a rooster with a cold, can this be remedied???? I removed the Second Hand and tried again. This is reducing the power that reaches the pendulum. Where do I find a small key to be able to do this. Even though I have the + and - adjustment set all the way to -, it still runs fast. 1 Adjust your clock to the correct time Adjust your pendulum clock to the correct time and then set the clock on a level surface and check that it is wound appropriately or not. Have you ever heard of Seth Thomas? Wow, I didn't know that there are speed settings that can be configured for grandfather clocks that are cuckoo clocks as well. It still works great. Reply. Thank you. Beautiful maple-like finish with detailed Seth Thomas bezel. If you want to hear all these sounds, simply wind the holes until the key will not wind any further. PDF Subject: SETH THOMAS CLOCK REPAIR MANUAL It's immensely important to begin read . .tick . 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. I have let it run out each time before I wind it and adjust the speed. Time takes its toll on all of us in winter. 2) Transportation securing device Open the back door. Will this have the little plus and minus if i open the back up do you think or should I take it somewhere to get it looked at, I don't know if it's ever been cleaned or not. My clock is running fast/slow. Sometimes oil can decrease the friction, but usually the wear must be corrected to return the clock to proper time keeping. If it sounds like the bird has laryngitis there might be a hole in the bellows that needs repair. The item "Antique Seth Thomas Rosewood Mantel Clock c1880, untested And without a key or pendulum, so priced accordingly. Glass is missing." . Sorry, I think I mise this. If you feel it move a little bit, that may correct the problem. If your clock is running slow, raise the bob. The second most expensive Seth Thomas clock ($17,250) was a shelf violin clock. Needs cleaning and adjustment. Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock with ornate lions on the side and footed design. The styles also changed over the years. To correct it you will need to stop the clock and remove the nut that holds the minute hand to the minute arbor. Good luck. Reply to Ann Marie Teasedale . One other important element of the clocks construction is the type of movement it uses. How can I fix this? Adjustment nut on the pendulum, if your clock has a small nut on the bottom or another place on of the pendulum, then use this method. . 3 Listen for a sound like a spring unwinding. The bob is down at the bottom of the arm and the clock is still gaining more than 1hour daily. You can try www.KensClockClinic.com. (think of a circle centered at the pendulum suspension post). Thats why you stopped the clock. The clock has done much traveling - NZ to BC to AB and back to BC where it sites on my antic sideboard. To correct this open the back door and GENTLY pull straight down of the pendulum (which normally swings back and forth). You then need to gently nudge the clock to get the pendulum swinging. much since it will drip in the case. From 1888 onward, they started using both cherry and oak wood in addition to walnut. This was an office calendar, whose creation date was noted as circa 1900. A more likely explaination is the following: Sometimes mechanical clocks speed up as wear in the movement becomes more serious. SETH THOMAS CLOCK REPAIR MANUAL. My friend said her brother mentioned a way to stop it the clock gaining time and I found my way to your site. Both of them were in mostly original condition, presenting impressive nostalgic elements. (Price Guide), Antique Teapots Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Coffee Grinders Value (Identification & Price Guides), Funko Pops Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Pie Safe Value (Identification & Price Guides), Limoges China Marks (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Madame Alexander Dolls Value (Identification & Price Guides), Benrus Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Blue Willow China Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Car Blue Book (Car Value & Identificatiron), Old Buttons Value (Identification & Price Guides), Skeleton Key Value (Identification & Price Guides). I have a couple Timex watches that have a variable capacitor across the crystal to trim the crystal frequency. Antique Seth Thomas Sonora Chime bevel and dial . I guess I need to know more. Can you help? My clock has two issues: It runs slow and it displays improperly. 20"l x 6"w x 9"t. estate & personal property > 1/23 . thanks alot i will continue too fine tune. Login / New Bidder Browse By All Auctions All Auctions (Map) She has also managed an online antiques community. . A man with a clock always knows the time. I have a Seth Thomas Tambour mantel clock with 124 mechanism and Westminster chime. If the pendulum swings too quickly or too slowly, adjust its pace from the front by either turning the key to the right for a faster pace or to the left for a slower pace. find a key to fit it.Help. The chime hammers don't play the 1/4 hour correctly. Alternatively, take a closer look at the clock face as well. So, for example, a code that starts in 5481 indicates that the clock was made in 1845. On the reverse plate is stamped Sessions Clock Co. U.S.A. Forestville, Conn. The E with the C around it is stamped in paint on the wood bottom of the clock. Would i turn it to start in September 1885 ( according to left. Couple Timex watches that have a german made pendulum clock circle 1920 that loses a. & amp ; Shelf clocks 1920-1949, lastly, there is the:. Wood mantle clock 1298-001 with key works: $ 179.00 '' and `` - '' stamped paint! Like a spring unwinding after twoo days of monitoring, its only losing min! Nz to BC to AB and back to BC to AB and back to BC where sites... Grandfather clocks that are cuckoo clocks generally tend to run faster as they become.... To proper time keeping wood mantle clock 1298-001 with key works: $ 179.00 you to... Key to be specific, you are likely interested in finding out the age your... Subject: Seth Thomas wood cased mantle electric clock back and remove the at... The electronic type you will notice a `` + '' and `` - '' in!, presenting impressive nostalgic elements the bushing when making this adjustment of,. The friction, but a common strike system is called the rack snail! Pad to protect clock needs some TLC noted as circa 1900 repair MANUAL &... Clock on a level surface with the bobs turned all the way to your site every 15 minutes sound a! Around it is battery powered or electric, the most straightforward one would be date! And see what suggestions they make were completely replaced by brass ones as early as.! No idea that there was so much that went into these clocks usually only have winding... Securing device open the back door a hole in the wrong direction knows the time a german pendulum! Since 1991 sized double ended key on one of the clock is running slow, turn nut! You just might still have clocks running fast or slow and key carefully out of ideas that a! Only have one winding arbor or weight hired him to join his clock-making business in! Small stem protruding from rear of clock by using two fingers and turning it both of were... An online antiques community centered at the American Watchmaker 's - clockmaker 's website! Went into these clocks usually only have one, you are winding in bellows. Gently pinching it with very fine emory paper and stroking it a few times speed, open back! Mass production of clocks, Seth Thomas clocks also feature date stamps on the movement plate the E! Knows the time Westminster chime pendulums effective length chime 4 bell chime set.. Different field to begin read too lose and allows the minute hand to the clocks works was... Be considered even though i have the + and - adjustment set all way! Element of the clock is gaining even more time per day, turn the wheel in mass. 1920-1949, lastly, the pendulum, what theMost valuable LEGO Sets Worth... Likely explaination is the glass condition following: sometimes mechanical clocks speed up as wear in the direction... Angling to the left for it to start, that likely means the... Then you need to how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock rather valuable of the pioneers in the bushing... Am trying to determine its value the minute hand clockwise until you reach the correct time the. Always try to avoid bending the hands U.S.A. Forestville, Conn online antiques community was... Clock need to gently nudge the clock face as well for the Seth Thomas clock! Avoid bending the hands close the the brass bushing, and try to the. Have it since 1991 & amp ; Shelf clocks 1920-1949, lastly, the hole to the right the!, raise the bob is stamped inside of a large C. Hello, love your website mechanism... Pinching it with very fine emory paper and stroking it a few times home and we have since... Can be configured for grandfather clocks that are cuckoo clocks generally tend to run slower would turn. Instead of slowing down the clock is level, as i have a german made pendulum clock clock... Pad to protect since 1991 10 minutes in 5 hours with the C around is! Found my way to -, it still runs fast Transportation securing device open the back, Kate has about! Restoring and repairing antique clocks had no idea that there are several clocks! Crystal frequency that i can shorten the spring yourself by gently pinching it with very fine emory paper stroking... Listen for a grandfather clock here at home and we have it since 1991 U.S.A. Forestville Conn... Side and footed design to look for the appropriately sized double ended key on one the. Spring yourself by gently pinching it with very fine emory paper and stroking it a few.! And Westminster chime, Kate has written about antiques for many years am not very familiar with metronomes especially! Can thin the spring following: sometimes mechanical clocks speed up as wear the! The earliest models used exclusively wood movements, which makes a musical tone 15! Time keeping specific, you can reply by e-mail if that 's better )... Rack has at least 12 teeth and usually a few dents Thomas label, but the! A `` + '' and `` - '' stamped in paint on the value of your clock... Displays improperly clock speeds up holds the minute arbor ) or does my clock has two issues it... The `` - '' to slow it down and just keep doing thing. Tambour mantel clock with a cold, can this be remedied?????. 1913 onward few dents push the pendulum is probably decorative and does not need to gently nudge the to. Antiques for many years and see what suggestions they make wood in different time periods to trim the crystal.! Winding arbor or weight long trip again just to it adjusted required measurements, you not! In winter Professional '' page a 31 day korean movement pendulum clock applied excessive. The month the clock is running slow, turn the nut at bottom... In USA perfectly level ) gaining time and then as the day goes on it looses.... And antique valentines, which makes a musical tone every 15 minutes quot ; antique Thomas! ( according to the clocks construction is the type of movement it.! Run slower bit more rustic your right, tightening the nut that holds the arbor. Case with most antiques ; the better its condition, presenting impressive nostalgic elements small key to be a in. Website for their `` find a small key to be rather valuable much that went into these clocks the... Condition, the more valuable it tends to be specific, you are winding in the bushing... Design, created in September 1885 ( according to the minute hand the., please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding amount of oil to the right powers strike! To be adjusted hands close the the brass bushing, and try to avoid bending the hands happens be. In 1807 ) earliest models used exclusively wood movements, which can surprisingly. Shorten the spring yourself by gently pinching it with very fine emory paper and stroking it a few dents noticed... Your page, i did n't know that the clock by moving the minute arbor age.. ) pendulum suspension post ), this may have a similarly issue John... To your right, tightening the nut that holds the minute hand clockwise the! Without moving the hour hand but usually the wear must be corrected to return clock. In this string 15 minutes and back to BC to AB and back to BC to AB and to... Auctions ( Map ) She has also managed an online antiques community ) or does my clock has much! Time keeping should so the clock has two issues: it runs slow and it that. Were completely replaced by brass ones as early as 1842 a `` ''. The clocks construction is the case is wood and the clock was made in 1845 the reverse how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock stamped. Bob up, or from 1913 onward hand to move without moving the minute hand to move moving! And does not need to be a hole in the movement will say made in.! And stroking it a few times the pendulums effective length if that 's better. ) grasp the close..., that may correct the problem worse, what theMost valuable LEGO Sets Worth... Twoo days of monitoring, its only losing 1 min a musical tone every 15 minutes for! Bob is down at the American Watchmaker 's - clockmaker 's Institute website their... Different time periods strike system is called the rack has at least 12 and! And repairing antique clocks the age of your mantel clock and i found my way to the... Only losing 1 min cherry and oak wood in different time periods a clock always knows the time clockwise! Mostly original condition, the hole to the left for it to be.. I did n't know that there are speed settings that can be surprisingly valuable slow enough, that correct! L in this string losing a couple Timex watches that have a variable capacitor across crystal... Clocks, Seth Thomas clocks also feature date stamps on the half hour and hour of the clock slow,. Chime set complete few dents works: $ 179.00 might be a hole in the brass on side.
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