Announcing the Termination of the Jauch Wall Clock Era
In the world of vintage clocks, Jauch timepieces hold a special place, despite the challenges the company faced in its later years. Founded by one of the oldest Black Forest clock-maker families, the Gerbrueder Jauch company was known for manufacturing hall, wall, and mantel clocks, as well as movements for the trade.
One such Jauch wall clock, from the late 1970s, found itself in need of repair when it stopped after a few seconds when leveled on the wall and pushed the pendulum. This article provides a step-by-step guide to repairing a Jauch rack and snail time and strike wall clock that has stopped due to being out of beat.
Understanding the Issue: Out of Beat
A clock is "in beat" when the tick and tock sounds are evenly spaced, meaning the pallet fork interacts smoothly with the escape wheel. If the clock is "out of beat," the escapement mechanism binds or doesn't release properly, causing the clock to stop.
Tools You’ll Need
- Small screwdrivers
- Tweezers or small pliers
- A level or a beat gauge (optional but helpful)
- Soft cloth or padded surface for working
Step 1: Confirm the Problem Is Out of Beat
Wind the clock and start the pendulum swinging. Listen carefully to the tick-tock sound. If you hear an irregular rhythm or the clock stops, it’s likely out of beat. Another test is to gently nudge the pendulum to see if it ticks evenly or stops immediately.
Step 2: Level the Clock
Make sure the clock case is perfectly vertical using a spirit level. Often, just leveling the clock on the wall fixes the out-of-beat issue because it affects pendulum swing. Adjust the hanging position slightly until the tick sounds are even.
Step 3: Adjust the Crutch/Pallet Fork Position
The pallets interact with the escape wheel teeth; their positioning affects the beat. Locate the crutch (the rod attached to the pendulum leader that moves in sync with the pendulum). Very gently move the crutch sideways (left or right) to adjust the action between the pallets and escape wheel.
Step 4: Check the Escapement
If adjusting the crutch doesn’t help, inspect the escapement: Look for wear on the escape wheel teeth or pallets. Clean dirt or old oil that might cause binding. Use a fine brush or pegwood to clean. Apply a small amount of clock oil only where appropriate.
Step 5: Test Run
After adjustment, start the pendulum swinging again. Listen for an even tick-tock. If the clock runs continuously and strikes on schedule, your beat adjustment worked.
Additional Tips
- Be patient: beat adjustment is subtle work.
- Avoid forcing parts.
- If unsure or if the clock has more complex mechanical faults, consult a professional clockmaker.
- For the strike mechanism, ensure the rack and snail interact properly and the strike is not blocking the pendulum.
By carefully adjusting the beat, your Jauch rack and snail clock should resume reliable timekeeping without stopping. The Jauch clock in question is a product of the late 1970s, and it is possible that the clock stopped simply because it was out of beat. Gerbrueder Jauch GmbH went bankrupt in 1986, but the case of this particular clock is a faux Vienna style popular in the 1960s through to the 1980s. The production of the company was affected by a curtailed export limiting production in late 1979. The clock in question is a rack and snail time and strike with a spring driven movement, produced in October 1979.
Read also:
- Pharmaceutical workplace safety is bolstered by the implementation of Safety Eyewear Programs.
- Slower Electric Vehicle Adoption in India Compared to US, EU, and China According to NITI Aayog Report
- Top-Tier All-Terrain Vehicles Available in India for Less Than ₹15 Lakhs
- Real-time AI intelligence from iRasus enhances electric vehicle battery safety.
