Cuckoo Clock Information

                                                                 An 8 day clock requires winding once a week. Eight day cuckoo clocks are a precise timepiece and repairing one requires patience and skill. The 8 day clock has two winding holes, one for the weights and one for the clock movement. An 8 day clock should only be maintained by someone with experience and training. Here some suggestive steps to take to repair 8 day cuckoo clocks.
      Step 1 -Disassemble the clock. Examine all contact areas for signs of unusual wear. If a gear is showing  signs of friction, that could be the reason for the clock stopping. Friction causes metal fatigue and worn gears do not mesh properly.
      Step 2 – Clean the 8 day clock’s clockwork with compressed air. This only needs to be done every 10 years.  Dust can cause the gears to stick, and the dust should be removed at least once a decade. Place the compressed air nozzle at least one foot from the gears, as one of the smaller gears could become unbalanced by the force of the air.
      Step 3 – Use a magnifying glass and small tweezers to remove stray hairs caught in the gears. Exercise caution when extracting the hairs as too much force could dislodge the gears. Use a soft bristle brush to gently sweep out the clock body.
      Step 4 – Check the mainspring to see if it has become detached. A mainspring that is over wound will become detached. Examine the mainspring to see if it has been replaced, as some past repairman could have installed a mainspring that was too large for the clock.
      Step 5 -Re-assemble the cuckoo clock. Gently wind the clock about half way. This simple step is regularly overlooked.

Look forward for another “How to” article next Wednesday.