Herman Miller Falling Weight

[jkrueger]

A co-worker has a Herman Miller clock (photo attached) that runs OK except for the weight that runs the movement falls very quickly. The ID from the back plate is M12JJ9CW. There is also the outline of a gear within which is printed the letters CKA. Any ideas as to what might cause this behavior? He says he had it repaired once. It was not running when he first told me about it. I advised tightening the screw holding the ‘anchor’ (?)(I’m new to clocks) to its shaft, after which he said it kept good time but would run down in a matter of a few hours. I would appreciate any insight you can provide. Thanks!……….Jeff Krueger

[bernie weishapl]

That is a Howard Miller clock and the weight coming down faster than normal says that it is skipping teeth between the escape wheel and verge. This is not a good situation because it will bend or clip off the teeth of the escape wheel then you have some real problems. I have seen this happen when the owner tries to fix it himself. I am guessing the plate on the rear which is screwed to the rear plate that holds the verge pivot is probably adjusted to high. Unless someone has changed the gearing then this is one of the most possible problems. Other than that I am not sure how it can keep good time if the weight is coming down in a short few hours since these weights are only suppose to be down at the bottom of the cabinet every 7 to 8 days. It would be nice to know a little more detail. When the weight comes down is it really keeping good time or is it fast. The weight to coming down in hours instead of days tell me the escape wheel is probably free wheeling.

[willofiam]

Hey guys, Bernie, is there some kind of a clutch on the winding arbors of some of these newer clocks? I came across a clock and only took a quick look at it in passing but I remember when I pulled down on the time train weight it made a noise like a ratchet makes , hope that makes sense. Now, I did not get to look at anything further so it could have been the escape wheel slipping past the verge with the extra pressure. possibly because the verge clutch is way to loose, William

[bernie weishapl]

I have never seen that happen unless the click spring broke but you couldn’t wind it up and let it stay. Most of the time I have seen the verge set to high and the escape wheel will free wheel some everytime the pendulum swings.

[arutha]

@jkrueger wrote:

I advised tightening the screw holding the ‘anchor’ (?)(I’m new to clocks) to its shaft, after which he said it kept good time but would run down in a matter of a few hours.

Surely if the escape wheel was tripping through it wouldn’t keep good time?
Just a thought.
Paul.

[bernie weishapl]

That is my thought Paul and I agree with you. How can that weight go down in just hours and keep good time. I am guessing there is more to this than we know.

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