Can Anybody Please Help With My Mantle Clock?

[Tony Angelino]

Not sure if this is the best place but I may as well start here.

I have recently acquired a ‘Smiths’ mantle clock from a family member, given to my grandad on his retirement, possibly the ‘Enfield’ model from 1955 or before. It appears to be in decent condition but the pendulum won’t swing, I have no idea if it is broken or missing bits or just needing a slight tweak to get it going.

I have watched a couple of YouTube videos and after winding the 3 bits on the front with the key, still nothing happens.

If needs be I’ll take it to a clock makers to help but on the off chance the collective wisdom of PH can help I thought it was worth a post.

Thanks for reading. Any help appreciated.

[clockworks]

The crutch is way over to the right. Unhook the pendulum bob and push the crutch gently to the left. The crutch is the brass part that the pendulum hanger passes through.

Google "putting a mantel clock in beat" for videos that will show you what to do.

[Tony Angelino]

Thanks for the reply, I’ve done as you and the videos suggested but I don’t get either a tick or a tock from the pendulum Even when moving it manually. It’s as if something is ceased up, I think I probably need to take it to somebody for fixing, for all I know it may not have worked for 50 years, it might have bits missing or anything.

I’m pending acceptance on a couple of specialist Facebook pages in the meantime.

I appreciate your help so far regardless.

[clockworks]

Probably best to take it to a clockmaker if you think it might have sat unused for many years.

It won't be cheap though. It's a day and a bit's labour, plus about £45 for a set of springs, for a complete stripdown. Expect to pay anywhere from £200 to £400 to get it done properly.

[Tony Angelino]

clockworks said:

Probably best to take it to a clockmaker if you think it might have sat unused for many years.

It won't be cheap though. It's a day and a bit's labour, plus about £45 for a set of springs, for a complete stripdown. Expect to pay anywhere from £200 to £400 to get it done properly.

Thanks, I have since joined a watch and clock repair facebook group and I have been advised the same. It has certainly sat for 20+ years, possibly up to 35 years. The facebook guys also say it appears to be stuck mid chime. It's just a question if we can afford to pay that sort of money to get it back up and running, or if we stick it back in a cupboard for another couple of decades!

I appreciate your help.