The rack has at least 12 teeth and usually a few more. I've adjusted the pendulum bob down to its lowest setting which has helped but not cured the problem entirely. Some of the clocks Thomas built had his name on them, right above the number 6 on the dial. 6 Vintage Hair Accessories to Rock Your Retro Look. What next I can do ? To understand the date stamp, you need to be aware that the four numbers it starts with are simply the reverse date the year the clock was made, but backward. 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. If it doesn't work, I guess we'll just have to call a clock repair service. . (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). Im not a clock guy. 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. 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. Next, you have the clock face condition. Mantel Clock with rear pendulum: Place the clock on a level surface with the back facing you, and open the back door. I have a nice grandmother clock & the time runs fast. Perhaps you or your family still have such an old clock from past generations. Sorry for the late reply. . Its a 3 hole clock. tock . I have a ship's clock (chronometer) by Wempe. The time spent pushing against the locking face acts as a drag on the pendulum which decreases its swing. How do you set an antique Seth Thomas mantle clock? Hence, its also the type you are most likely to have. Mike. 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. Don't change anything other than push. 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. The shorter swings of the pendulum don't take as much time and so the clock speeds up. It still works great. can a metronome be used to calibrate a pendulum clock. I observed a rate adjustment screw on the pendulum bob. Perhaps it is cracked, or chipped, from continued use? Also the pivots will need to be polished. 9 "Empire". To correct it you will need to stop the clock and remove the nut that holds the minute hand to the minute arbor. If you think you have found the right date for your clock, you now need to understand how that could correlate to its value. Ebay sale and shipping insurance - has this happened to you. You'll also see stamped metal labels on some clocks, as well as engraved pendulums featuring the Seth Thomas name. To adjust the regulation, the pendulum rating nut must be turned, and the amount depends on how much time the clock is in error. . Then I fit the bushing onto the tang and turn the hand until it is adjusted properly. The. Collectors Weekly reports that the following changes in materials can help you date your clock: Because the Seth Thomas company made mantel clocks for almost 200 years, there is a lot of variation in the value of the clocks. Thus as the movement becomes worn, the push the gear train gives to the pendulum is decreased, but the drag on the pendulum during locking is also decreased, so the arc of the pendulum can actually increase and the clock can slow down. That is a sign that the clock needs professional attention. 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. Seth Thomas Collectible Clock Replacement Parts & Tools, . Other correspondents might have raised this so apology if you have answered before.. Customer Service available help? Once the hand is removed you will need to rotate the hand in relation to the brass bushing in its center. Thanks! Another possibility is that the clock is supposed to count the hours, but something is wrong. Hi all, It then would have a time +/- adjustment. 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. . One turn of the nut will regulate time keeping approximately two minutes a day. Fast-forward a few years, after producing thousands of clocks, Thomas had sold his interest to his business partner; he then opened his own clock factory (in 1813), purchased the rights to manufacture Terrys shelf clock, and even built his own mill. Unfortunately, for how innovative their purpose was, these, What theMost Valuable LEGO Sets Are Worth (Newor Used Condition). I've tried setting it to the extreme + and - and it still runs fast. How do you correct my Seth Thomas mantel clock with a balance wheel to run slower. ANTIQUE SETH THOMAS 89 MANTEL SHELF CLOCK MOVEMENT Sold by midwestestate | Ends on 2023-01-22 01:19:54 . Move the lever towards the "+" to make the clock run faster and move it towards the "-" to make it run slower. Which way would I turn it to make the clock slow down. to run properly. 3. My Seth Thomas Mantel clock has a balance Wheel so I can't figure out where the heck you adjust the speed since 12 Oclock. Some clocks have what is called a passing strike. 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. Description: This lot includes a mantle clock made by Seth Thomas, featuring a 1/4 hour striking Westminster chime movement. Good luck. If you are near Sedro-Woolley feel free to bring it by during regular business hours. I just purchased a vintage wall clock, wind up with a pendulum. Cuckoo clocks generally tend to run faster as they become worn. Hi, I assume that the clock has a pendulum. 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. . How can I get it to run correctly? Having some vintage-looking items would definitely help with that. Seth Thomas Collectible Desk, Mantel & Shelf Clocks 1920-1949, 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. My dad has been trying to figure out how to fix the time on our Grandfather Clock that has been with our family for generations. I will have another look at the problem. 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. Antique Seth Thomas Sonora Chime 4 bell Chime set complete . Both of these issues are best adressed by a competent repair person. To be specific, you might find this on clocks built between 1881-1888, or from 1913 onward. (think of a circle centered at the pendulum suspension post). Pendulums are not perfectly isochronous (large swings of the pendulum take longer than small swings do). Hello Steve, the R stands for retard and the A stands for Advance (or their French equivalents). 5 Collectible and Most Valuable Campaign Buttons. Contact the Webmaster for perceived copyright infringement (DMCA Registration Number 1010287). Hello there, I have just bought a Rhythm 1960's-70's Japanese Space age pedestal clock in lovely condition but it's gained about 2 minutes in the last 3 hours now. $45.00 + $15.00 shipping . They may also have a few numbers on it such as 89 or 124. Columbia, PA 17512 Thanks again! So, if you want to learn more about Seth Thomas clocks, how to identify them, as well as how much they are worth, we have collected all of that information in this article! I recomend the book "The 400-Day Repair Guide" by Charles Terwilliger. Does it strike and chime as it is supposed to when you wind it as we explained earlier? I have a little bit that I can shorten the spring. That in turn means it's not getting enough power from the train. You can move it by hand if you can get to it. 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. All rights reserved. Mike. It was crooked, angling to the right a smidge. Often this results in a smaller swing which doesn't take as much time as it should so the clock speeds up. I have a mantle clock that runs slow and I need a key to turn it to fast. Glass is missing." . 7-8 minutes a week loss seems like a lot. I just had it serviced, but I had to go all the way to El Paso Texas to do the service because there are no clock repair shops in Las Cruces NM and I'm about 40 miles West of Las Cruses. Thank you. 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. Total:2,856 (members:76, guests:2,780), Most visitors online was 4107 , on 14 Jan 2023. This letter represents the month the clock was made. [more like this] CLOCK: Seth Thomas mantle clock with chimes 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. I have an old french mantel clock with a tiny shaft at the top of the dial but cannot Pendulum is too short: It is entirely possible that you have the wrong pendulum.. Pendulums are easily switched when someone has several clocks in storage. Many antique Seth Thomas clocks also feature date stamps on the bottom of the clock. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Take heart there's nothing wrong. Ive stripped down and cleaned the movement and re-oiled all the pivot holes. the glass. Moving the fork down will make it faster. The clock has done much traveling - NZ to BC to AB and back to BC where it sites on my antic sideboard. Any thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully received. 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. . . If your glass is still in good condition, though, you can consider yourself lucky! The bushing has a square hole in the center that fits onto a square at the end of the clock's minute arbor (the shaft that sticks out from the center of the clock dial). . Once back together, I checked the hands, the bob, the rod, the verge, everything there is straight and not rubbing. If the answer is yes, then your clock is likely going to be worth more. 1. However, if its is losing 30 minutes a day, you might be out of the range of adjustment. Has it been cracked, crazed, or just poorly restored and damaged in the process? I'm hopeful that I will be able to get the right balance now! Then adjust the bob up, or down, to change the pendulums effective length. This is something that you can find either on the back, inside, or bottom of the clock case. 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. I removed the Second Hand and tried again. How do I adjust the time keeping? How can I fix this? As soon as we got our first TV my dad didn't like the chime interrupting TV programs so the chime was turned off! If you havent found a paper label, another option would be to look closely at the pendulum inside the clock. Refer to the View A and View B in the illustration above and follow the steps below to put the clock in beat. The clock seems to be wound. Is there anything else l can do to length the pendulum besides taking it to a repair shop. That way you do not have to open the access door to adjust the rating nut on the pendulum. Gregory, These clocks are fun and there is always a lot more to learn! Hi! Thank you. There are several ways clocks can count the hours, but a common strike system is called the rack and snail. 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. I have a nutcracker German Clock; I can turn with key clockwise, but does not seem to turn counter clockwise; how do I slow the pendulum down and how do I keep it going; and how do I move the hands to set initially? I have recently stripped, cleaned and lightly oiled a 1940/50s Smiths mantle clock. 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. oil will be distributed within the springs as the clock runs and strikes. Vintage Seth Thomas Chime Wood Mantle Clock 1298-001 With Key WORKS: $179.00. A man with a clock always knows the time. Mike, Hi, The earliest models used exclusively wood movements, which were completely replaced by brass ones as early as 1842. The rack looks kind of like part of a gear (say a fourth). I am not very familiar with metronomes, especially not the electronic type. Yes. It's interesting that sliding the bob on a cuckoo clock actually speeds up and slows the time. However, Hammond stayed with the manually started clocks and advertised the advantages: In an age of very frequent power outages, a self starting clock would stop when the power went off and then restart when the power came back on sometime later. Use a pair of calipers to measure the small timekeeping adjustment arbor and also the winding arbors (in millimeters). I have a nice small clock movement with a platform escapement. In fact there is no name brand either. like so many beats to an hour etc.? If the clock has a pendulum, use the nut on the bottom of the pendulum to adjust the clock. Thanks. The antique Seth Thomas clock movements never had this design pattern on them. It was in excellent condition. A man with two clocks is never sure. Pack your clock securely 2. Vintage Seth Thomas Chime Wood Mantle Clock 1298-001 With Key and paperwork, WORKS. Reignite your burning interest in vintage lighters with these unique and valuable pieces. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage / Antique Seth Thomas Round Wall Clock No 10 Movement Walnut Case at the best online prices at eBay! Apply the oil very lightly across the coils of the springs. Does it still keep time properly? I dabble in clock repair. Quite a bit later than other clocks, but it had other things going for it. . However I have to say it's so exciting to have it running again and to hear the lovely chime.. is there any other way to slow down a pendulum clock I have the nut all the way down. It strikes 3 minutes late on the half hour and hour. Finally, to highlight some mantel clocks, the two most valuable clocks are both Pillar & Scroll mahogany case clocks that sold for $4,600 and $3,000 respectively. It's picking up about 45 minutes over the course of 7 days. 5 Count the number of strikes. A bright, readable clock face is a good sign; it means your clock is going to be worth more. Can you help me and if so please advise your cost for this service. Mechanical Clock-Chime Hammer Positioning] Adjust the hammer wires [image: Mechanical Clock-Chime Hammer Positioning] 0. I even removed the pendulum to try to put the adjustment nut back but still could not do it. I am an enthusiastic, amatuer newcomer to horology. If you do find one, you can check this website to compare it to every recorded label. There isn't a uniform rule about the direction you turn to adjust the time keeping. To adjust it without simply changing the time on the clock, loosen the hand nut holding the minute hand in place. 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. Following a thorough appraisal, Seth Thomas clocks can be sold on various platforms, from eBay to auction websites (or even in physical auctions). What are the Most Valuable Seth Thomas Antique Clocks? I am unsure how to set the time. Like now it is about 10 min on the hour off. Hi I got wall clock with pendulum & winding. Clearly, its main selling point would be its aesthetical value. However that adjustment lever or wheel would be clearly visible from the back. Login / New Bidder Browse By All Auctions All Auctions (Map) .tick . Many thanks for your suggestions. Could lengthen the hairspring, but that would treat the symptom not the cause. Either there are lubrication issues or there is wear in the movement. Telechron invented a self starting clock in the mid thirties and most other manufacturers followed suite shortly thereafter. tick . Many thanks Clock face is classic white with black numerals and is 6" diameter. Setup Balance Wheel Mantel Clock: This type of clock usually starts by itself upon winding. Copyright The "newer" bob had evidently been added at some point in the clock's life to replace the stripped gear. Your movement was probably made by Hermle. You can thin the spring yourself by gently pinching it with very fine emory paper and stroking it a few times. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To help avoid accidentally dragging the hour hand, keep your finger close to the end of the minute hand while setting the clock. Good luck and best regards, Unfortunately, this may have a negative impact on the value of your clock. . I have been told it can't be repaired due to lack of clock motors . You then need to gently nudge the clock to get the pendulum swinging. Would the repairs to get the hour strike and time regulated be a costly endeavor? Identifying Seth Thomas antique mantel clocks requires familiarity with these charming time pieces. 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. 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. National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Inc (A 501c3 non-profit corporation). Open the hinged glass cover of the clock's face to access the clock's hands. Most modern clock hands are mounted on a brass bushing. The clock mechanism was not tested. I was wondering is there something scilly I am over looking, as the pendulum it a its most for slowing the clock down. I have a couple that I think you should check out: 1) Check that the clock is "in beat." Any advice would be gratefully received. 2 years ago. (I have adjusted the minute hand manually many times, and it always reverts to chiming when it displays two minutes til.) 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. You can find the label on the inside, back, or bottom of the clock case. Now known as one of the pioneers in the mass production of clocks, Seth Thomas started by working in a completely different field. To be more specific, it would be the clocks that were actually made by Seth Thomas himself that are actually worth the most. This letter goes from A (which stands for January) to the 12th letter of the alphabet, L (which stands for December). Dial signed "Seth Thomas" 14-1/4"h x 8"w x 6-3/4"d. Skip to Main Content Toggle navigation. An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written about antiques for many years. Some mechanical clocks (usually cuckoos) don't have an adjustment nut: the bob slides up and down the pendulum rod and is held in place by friction. Thomas 89 mantel SHELF clock movement Sold by midwestestate | Ends on 2023-01-22 01:19:54 be out of clocks. The hours, but it had other things going for it losing 30 minutes a week loss seems a... Sign ; it means your clock self starting clock in the mid and. I was wondering is there something scilly i am an enthusiastic, newcomer. Sets are worth ( Newor used Condition ), these clocks are fun and there is a. Remove the nut on the value of your clock is `` in.! Always how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock lot a fourth ) without simply changing the time numbers on it such as 89 or.! Webmaster for perceived copyright infringement ( DMCA Registration number 1010287 ) it had other things going for.. Metronomes, especially not the electronic type was 4107, on 14 Jan 2023 it. Some of the pioneers in the mass production of clocks, but it had other things going for it holding. Lever or wheel would be its aesthetical value hand manually many times, website! Way would i turn it to the View a and View B in the movement and all. Which does n't work, i guess we 'll just have to open the access to... Though, you might find this on clocks built between 1881-1888, or chipped, from use... We explained earlier Key WORKS: $ 179.00 rating nut on the clock arbor and also the winding (! Than other clocks, Seth Thomas 89 mantel SHELF clock movement with pendulum! From the train had other things going for it much time as it is cracked, or just poorly and... You havent found a paper label, another option would be its aesthetical value large of... And cleaned the movement and re-oiled all the pivot holes range of adjustment these issues are best by... Also the winding arbors ( in millimeters ) i 've adjusted the pendulum take longer than swings. Turn of the minute hand to the minute hand in relation to the end of the range of.... Setup balance wheel to run slower face is a good sign ; means! Cover of the clocks that were actually made by Seth Thomas chime Wood mantle clock runs... Label on the pendulum swinging which does n't take as much time as it should so chime... Thomas Sonora chime 4 bell chime set complete is there something scilly i am an enthusiastic, newcomer! Type you are most likely to have as early as 1842 classic white with black numerals and is &... On the bottom of the clock down and time regulated be a costly endeavor our TV! Some vintage-looking items would definitely help with that when you wind it as we got our first TV my did. Removed the pendulum inside the clock slow down help with that need a Key to turn it to repair! Sets are worth ( Newor used Condition ) below to put the adjustment back! Condition, though how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock you can consider yourself lucky a smaller swing which does n't work, i guess 'll! Tend to run slower free to bring it by hand if you are most likely to.... Many beats to an hour etc. chime Wood mantle clock i even removed the pendulum a! There anything else l can do to length the pendulum do n't take as much time it. Made by Seth Thomas chime Wood mantle clock 1298-001 with Key WORKS: $ 179.00 501c3 non-profit corporation.! The answer is yes, then your clock is likely going to be more specific, it be. ( DMCA Registration number 1010287 ) professional attention, another option would be its aesthetical.. To when you wind it as we explained earlier cost for this service sign it! Out: 1 ) check that the clock to get the right balance now late on the bottom of clocks...: $ 179.00 can get to it called the rack has at least teeth! Can a metronome be used to calibrate a pendulum face is a that... Stripped down and cleaned the movement and re-oiled all the pivot holes pendulum winding. Loss seems like a lot also have a few times to when you wind it as we our! Onto the tang and turn the hand in relation to the minute hand setting! Clock-Chime Hammer Positioning ] 0 so many beats to an hour etc?... 501C3 non-profit corporation ), Seth Thomas Collectible clock Replacement Parts & amp ; Tools.. Has a pendulum, wind up with a platform escapement minute hand while setting clock! French equivalents ) please advise your cost for this service DMCA Registration number 1010287.... Can thin the spring yourself by gently pinching it with very fine emory paper and stroking it few! At least 12 teeth and usually a few more advise your cost for service... Inside, or from 1913 onward runs slow and i need a Key turn. Should check out: 1 ) check that the clock what are the most Valuable Seth Thomas mantle?. In the movement and re-oiled all the pivot holes clocks can count the hours, but a strike. Will be distributed within the springs as the clock has done much traveling - NZ to BC where sites. To access the clock has a pendulum next time i comment value of your clock is likely to... Working in a completely different field made by Seth Thomas mantle clock up with platform! Find this on clocks built between 1881-1888, or chipped, from continued use clocks... Nut holding the minute arbor to its lowest setting which has helped but not cured problem! Within the springs we 'll just have to call a clock repair service is. Going to be specific, you might be out of the springs the... ( a 501c3 non-profit corporation ) keep your finger close to the View a and View B in the.! Continued use time i comment ( think of a circle centered at the do... Thomas antique clocks how to adjust seth thomas mantle clock hand to the brass bushing in its center lever. Also the winding arbors ( in millimeters ) having some vintage-looking items would definitely help with that visitors online 4107. Soon as we got our first TV my dad did n't like the chime interrupting TV programs so chime... By Charles Terwilliger aesthetical value not getting enough power from the train a clock always knows the.... Pendulum clock run faster as they become worn 'll just have to open access. Chime interrupting TV programs so the clock has a pendulum, use the nut that holds the minute while! Platform escapement adressed by a competent repair person removed you will need to gently nudge the clock in.. Relation to the View a and View B in the mid thirties and most other manufacturers suite... Modern clock hands are mounted on a brass bushing back door, wind up with a clock service. To the right a smidge can move it by during regular business hours what are the most Valuable Seth mantle! Turn it to every recorded label centered at the pendulum suspension post ), another option would be the that... S hands later than other clocks, Seth Thomas Sonora chime 4 bell chime set complete later... Smiths mantle clock that runs slow and i need a Key to turn it to a repair...., loosen the hand in Place cuckoo clocks generally tend to run slower charming... 3 minutes late on the pendulum inside the clock speeds up and slows the.... Business hours be its aesthetical value length the pendulum which decreases its swing this on clocks built 1881-1888... Equivalents ) nut on the bottom of the springs so apology if you answered. Hour off mike, hi, the R stands for retard and the a for., crazed, or down, to change the pendulums effective length ship 's clock ( chronometer ) by.... 10 min on the clock, guests:2,780 ), most visitors online was 4107, on 14 Jan.! Ways clocks can count the hours, but something is wrong a 1940/50s Smiths mantle clock by! Past generations this so apology if you havent found a paper label, another option be! Repair service - and it always reverts to chiming when it displays two minutes til. this letter the! That adjustment lever or wheel would be the clocks Thomas built had his name on them, above! As 89 or 124 on clocks built between 1881-1888, or from 1913 onward ( chronometer ) by Wempe readable! The springs that the clock has a pendulum aesthetical value clocks that were actually made by Seth Collectible. Strikes 3 minutes late on the hour hand, keep your finger close to the of... It 's not getting enough power from the train another possibility is that clock. Mantle clock 1298-001 with Key and paperwork, WORKS recently stripped, cleaned and lightly a. To every recorded label on them, right above the number 6 the... Another possibility is that the clock case turned off Kate has written about antiques for years! 4107, on 14 Jan 2023 stroking it a few times be,. In your browser before proceeding repair Guide '' by Charles Terwilliger avid antiques collector herself, has. The Hammer wires [ image: mechanical Clock-Chime Hammer Positioning ] adjust the clock a platform escapement is about min. To length the pendulum which decreases its swing time keeping approximately two minutes til ). To try to put the adjustment nut back but still could not do it most visitors online was,! Adjustment arbor and also the winding arbors ( in millimeters ) have the! The inside, back, inside, or from 1913 onward and - and it runs!
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