Westminster Assembly: Reassembling the Mantel Clock (Part III) - Fixing the Chime Mechanism and Uttering Profanities
In a recent development, the owner of a 1931 Sessions Westminster A chiming clock is optimistic about resolving the ongoing strike side issue. Despite the clock having run for a few days, the strike mechanism continues to malfunction, leaving the owner in search of a solution.
To properly set up the racks and snails on the strike side of a Sessions Westminster A clock, several key steps should be followed. First, identify the strike snail, a cam with stepped levels, each representing a different hour. It is mounted on the hour wheel on the strike side and must be firmly placed so that each step correctly corresponds to the hour to be struck.
Next, set the rack and rack hook. The rack, a toothed lever, rests against the snail. When the strike train is activated, the rack hook lifts the rack and lets it drop to count the correct number of strikes based on the snail’s step. The rack teeth must engage with the rack hook so that when it is released, it falls to the correct step on the snail, measuring out the right number of strikes.
Adjusting the rack bend so it locks properly and releases only when the snail turns to the right hour position is also crucial. Due to the slight variations in Sessions clock movements, it is best to consult specific diagrams or technical manuals for the Sessions Westminster A clock for precise placement and engagement details.
Unfortunately, the provided search results did not include direct instructions or detailed diagrams for setting up the racks and snails on a Sessions Westminster A clock strike side. For practical guidance, using labeled photos or diagrams of the movement showing the rack, rack hook, and snail positions, comparing the physical shape and size of the snail to standard Westminster snails, and ensuring the snail is firmly fixed on the hour wheel shaft and the rack tooth mesh is smooth with no binding may prove helpful.
Advancing the hands through the hours to verify the strike count matches each hour step on the snail and adjusting rack bending and hook engagement incrementally to fine-tune strike accuracy are additional steps to consider. Consulting a specialized clock repair forum or manual specifically for Sessions Westminster models may provide exact step-by-step instructions and images to assist with this setup.
During the ongoing maintenance, the owner encountered a few challenges. The dial bezel was polished using Brasso, and one rack on the clock was missing its retaining spring, which was replaced with a new one made of brass wire. The clock movement requires a total of 17 bushings, and the clock case was refinished using a wood stain and Minwax Satin Wipe-on Poly.
However, the owner is still having trouble understanding the setup of the racks and snails on the strike side of the clock, despite using a guide by Robert Croswell. The arbour for the gathering pallet pins could not be pulled, and it might have needed a bushing. The centre cam could not be removed due to the lack of a puller.
Despite these setbacks, the owner remains determined to continue working on the clock to resolve the issue. The pivots in the pallet arbour bushing holes showed some movement, but it was not overly concerning. The owner is hopeful that with further research and perseverance, the strike side issue on the 1931 Sessions Westminster A chiming clock will be successfully addressed.
[1] For more detailed information, consult the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) forums or specific manuals for Sessions Westminster models.
To effectively troubleshoot the ongoing strike issue on the vintage Sessions Westminster A chiming clock, the owner might find it beneficial to look for detailed instructions or diagrams on setting up the racks and snails on the strike side from sources such as the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) forums or Sessions Westminster manuals.
In addition to consulting expert resources, updating the owner's lifestyle with modern home-and-garden technology and precision tools designed for clock repair may provide valuable assistance in resolving the strike side issue and restoring the vintage clock's functionality.
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