Cuckoo Clock Questions

Probably because of lack of maintenance. Most manufacturers of clocks recommend 'oiling' a clock every year. Though this is a very good practice, usually if done correctly, a clock can go 2-3 years between 'oiling'. After 1980, when whale oil used for clocks was banned, a petroleum oil was developed. This excellent oil works very well but unlike whale oil evaporates. After 3 years, residue from the oil and trapped airborne dust is left behind. This trapped debris will wear the clock's pivots and its bearing surfaces. The clock often stops because of lack of lubrication or from the worn parts.

No. 2 Order a clock oiling kit. Click Here

Sometimes when setting the clock to the proper time by moving the minute hand you may have accidently caught the shorter hour hand and moved it to a different hour. The hour hand is only pressed on the shaft and can be moved. To repair - move the minute hand up to the hour and count the number of cuckoo's then simply move the shorter hour hand to that number. If the hour hand becomes loose push it towards the dial to retighten. Finally reset the clock to the proper time with the minute hand.
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Cuckoo Clocks can be regulated by moving the carved leaf up or down on the wooden pendulum stick. Remove the wooden pendulum rod from the clock and move the leaf UP slightly to speed up and DOWN to slow down. A very slight amount of movement will affect the time keeping one way or the other. Then place the pendulum back on the clock. Humidity and room temperature will affect the time keeping of a cuckoo clock.
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No. 5 "How do I replace the chains on my Cuckoo Clock?" (with new chains?)
To order new chains: Click here

If Chain is still on Clock - To replace the chain start at the end with the hook and open the link remove the hook and attach the new chain. Feed the chain through by winding the clock as usual. Remove the old chain and replace the chain hook and ring onto the new chain.

If the Chain is off the Clock - Hold the clock upside down and feed the chain through the hole in the bottom of the clock. Guide the chain over the gear using your finger to turn the gear. Continue turning the gear as you rotate the clock to the upright position.

No. 6 "I have broken one of the hands on my cuckoo clock, what do I do? "
To Order New Hands: Click here
To Order Hand Nuts: Click here

1.Remove the nut holding the hands. Remove the hands and note if the center shaft holding the longer minute hand is round or square. ( Also take note of the position of the hands.)

2. Measure the minute hand for length.( If hand is broken meausre from center shaft to outer edge of the dial.) This will determine the size of the hands.

3. Place the new hands on the clock, being sure to place the hour hand first then the minute hand. Using the proper hand nut set. Retighten the hand nut.
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No. 7 "How do I replace the bellow tops on my Cuckoo clock?"
To Order Bellow Tops: Click here

Remove the bellow whistles from the inside of the cuckoo clock,(It is best to do one whistle at a time to avoid a mix-up.) note and mark bellows for left and right in reguard to placement. Transfer all hooks and wires from the old bellows to new bellows. Gently remove the bellow top from the whistle, clean off any remaining glue from the whistle. Attach the new bellow top to the whistle, hot glue works best for this, note that bellows have 1/4" hole in differnet sides of bellow. Be sure to match new with old bellow tops.

No. 8 "How do I replace the bellow paper?" Order Bellow Paper: Click here

1) If you put the clock near open windows, fans, doorways, or heating vents, the clock may stop periodically due to drafts.

2) If the clock does not run, move the minute hand back half an hour and forward to the hour and let it cuckoo. Set the pendulum swinging again.

3) If the clock does not run, wind the weights fully and check the chains for any kinks that may have prevented the weights from coming down properly.

4) If you put the clock on the wall and it does not cuckoo, or if it is music box does not play the music check on the side of the clock for a metal lever that is the shutoff lever. The lever may be turned to the off position. Disregard the sticker which tells you which way to move the lever to turn the music and the cuckoo on and off. Sometimes these stickers are translated from German wrong. The lever must be moved to one extreme or the other. If it is placed in the middle of the two extremes problems may result.

5) Listen to make sure that the clock has an even tic-toc, tilt the clock slightly to the left or right to obtain an even tic-toc

6) To adjust the sound of the gong look through the hole on the back access door of the clock-the hammer can be bent slightly closer or further away from the gong to obtain a desirable gong sound.

No. 11 How do I put my cuckoo clock into beat?