Spring

Question. Do clock springs get tired over time? I have a small 'kitchen' pendulum clock which has an 8 day spring and westminster chime (which is driven by 2 more springs, but not used or wound up). It has been running OK and keeping time, but has suddenly stopped. Its relatively clean, wound up and not overwound. I can't see an obvious blockage such as spider web or dead fly in the movement. I don't think that the inactive chime is stopping the main movement.
If I swing the pendulum a little, it will tick tock with a regular beat for a few mins then stop. If I remove the pendulum, it remains stopped, so it seems a problem with the main clock spring drive.
Any ideas please?
BobH

Oil the pivots?

Martin

Certainly the pivots are dry and we have / having exceptional dry and hot weather for the last 2 months (house temp 26deg C , Outside 37 deg. I am just cautious of over oiling.

Do NOT be tempted to try WD40 please

Add a little clock oil to the oil sinks with a cocktail stick then, unless you have a proper oiler. Start off with the escapement pivots, friction gets less of a problem the further down the train you go.

regards Martin

BobH On some chiming clocks there is a small lever near the 3 on the dial to stop either chiming striking or both

Can you turn the hands forwards ( clockwise ) easily What time did the clock stop Don't force it

Roy

4:20 in the morning (It could chime on the 1/4 , but chime springs not wound up) - Seen the lever, and its free and didn't change the situation. It won't run even with the pendulum off at the moment, just a few tic tock and then stops.

BobH Though not wound up could still cause problems Wind both strike and chimes and see if it helps. A couple of turns will do. If you feel any resistance when moving the hands forward that indicates a part of the chiming mechanism binding

Interesting, A half turn winding of both the chime springs seems to have loosened things up with a bit of a chime. I will have to see how things go on.
BobH