Posted 13 years ago
timeless5
(80 items)
ok so I bought this clock about 25 years ago , set it up and it ran. I think it was the 1/2 & the hour the guys hand would move and the bell on the top of the clock would ring, which drove my husband crazy. So I packed it away now I can't remember what the weights looked like! Can't find a clock like it soooo Bruce, AR8 anybody help!!!.Here's what it says on the works it has 3 stars with a letter in each one S B S Feinterhnik 661 66/1 pl45 10 made in West Germany. It's 18" x 13" . and it seems to be made out of tin?? would love to find out it's age ......thanks Misty
Nice clock Misty hope you find the weights to it. I know thet are not cheap. most cuckoo clocks i find the weights are misplaced or the pendulum.
You can determine what weight will make the clock run but you should only do so when the movement is clean and lubricated. Too much weight will make a movement which is in need of maintenance operate, but it will also run the clock into the ground due to accelerated wear. I can't stress that enough!
Having said that: Get, or make a light container with a handle. Something like an empty paint can or 1 gallon plastic bucket should do nicely. Securely tie, or attach the handle of the container to the clock's weight cord and start adding weight. If you have a lot of spare change lying around....pennies are ideal...use them. If you don't have a lot of coins, just use them once you get close to operational weight. If your container is big enough, water will do very nicely too. Once you have enough weight to get the clock to run, all you have to do is weigh your container and order new weights as close to that determined weight as you can. If you have determined your operational weight carefully, your new weight(s) can't be lighter of course, but don't buy weights that are much heavier for reasons we've already discussed.
Replacement cuckoo clock weights are easy to find but they are normally shaped like pine cones. You can buy replacement weights of several designs from http:/www.timesavers.com or http://www.merritts.com.
olegaclockman47 is right, replacement weight(s) can get expensive. It would be best to find the originals, but if you can't and you want to run the clock, or give it to someone as a gift, this should get it running.
One more thing, make sure that the clock's weight cord isn't fouled or wrapped back over itself. That will force you to add way too much weight. It should wrap around the spool like one layer of thread. Hope that helps you.
ooops, I see this clock uses chains....never-mind! :)
Thanks for the info guys. I do have the original weights, When packing away I put the really heavy weight in one box. The two sets I think they are is one is like the grandfather tube style (shiny) and the other set is a dull black solid weights but not pine cones. Any idea as to the age?
Okay, now I'm confused. I thought you had misplaced/lost the weights and needed help with that. Did I misunderstand what you were originally asking for help on?
It looks like I've wasted time answering a question you didn't have. You just have your weights packed away, you didn't remember what they looked like and didn't want to dig them out for your photos, is that it? You want to know when this clock was manufactured....okay...
Are you quite sure about the weights Misty? I've never known a clock to have mis-matched original weights before.
Never heard of the company before but there are some references on the internet. Perhaps you could do some Google research and find out more and then tell us more about your clock?
Based on what you've given us I can tell you that it was made somtime between 1945 & 1990, the years of partitioning of Germany. Perhaps someone else can help you narrow it down. Anyone?
Those are pretty nice, clear photos by the way. That must be a good focal length for your camera.
Hi Bruce, sorry for the confustion. I do have the weights. But when I packed up some of my clocks 15-20 years ago. I put all heavy weights in one box. So now I am having a senior moment as to what weights go to which clock. Thought if I could see one on line than I could match mine up. But I will Google it and see if I can get some info. Again I'm sorry :(
There's no need for an apology. That's not really your fault is it Misty? If anything, I'm upset with myself for not reading more carefully.
Good luck with your research and please let us know what you find. Perhaps another collector will recognize your photos and can help.
The weights are probably golden looking cylinders. As for the age of it, probably from the 50's to 1975 at the latest. Nice clock!