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Weight
As the escape lever releases a tooth of the escape wheel, the escape wheel should
advance immediately and freely until its motion is stopped by the escape lever. If the
wheel seems to lag, follow the suggestions in the above section on troubleshooting the
gear train to minimize sources of friction. If this does not help, it might be necessary to
add more weight to overcome the friction that is present. Try increasing the weight to
see if this solves the problem. (You should not use more weight than is necessary to
drive the clock, as this will place undue strain on the parts and may increase wear and
tear on the components.) You might find that more weight is required during the
“break-in” period, so that the amount of weight can be reduced after the clock runs for a
week or two.
Crutch fork clearance
It is important to have the proper fit between the pendulum shaft and the crutch forks
(the two dowels that protrude from the back of the escapement frame). Friction
between the crutch forks and the pendulum shaft can rob energy from the clock and
return the pendulum to a stop. If it is too tight, sand the section of the pendulum shaft
that passes between the forks. This section of the pendulum must be smooth, as must
the interior portions of the crutch forks. On the other hand, the gap between the shaft
and the forks should not be larger than 1/16". If the gap is too large, add a piece of tape
to the shaft to build up its thickness.
Lower support tightness
If the lower support screw is not tight enough, the clock’s vertical orientation can
change. This is especially likely to happen when winding the clock. Make sure that the
screw is tight enough to prevent the bottom of the clock from moving left or right
without a deliberate effort to do so.
Pendulum plumb
The pendulum bob must not rub against the wall or any gears. If the pendulum shaft
does not hang straight down, adjust the pendulum support bracket screws in or out to
alter the alignment of the pendulum shaft.
Miscellaneous
Variations in humidity and temperature can affect the accuracy of your clock.
Technical Support
If you have any problems with this clock, please contact Jeff Schierenbeck for assistance:
E-mail: jeff@wooden-gear-clocks.com
Telephone: 715-955-4104
Comments?
We’d love to hear from you about your experience with the Tranquility clock. Please drop us a note if
you want to share any thoughts about the Tranquility clock or if you have any suggestions for
improvements that can be made!
