Helpful Hints

Moving your clock from one place to another ...

If Your clock will not cuckoo ...

When the weights drop to the floor ...

When a clock gets older ...

"I Wanna Fix It Myself."

"Its About Time."  A suggested book ...

•  

•  

• 
  If you have occasion to move your cuckoo from its present location to another eg:

Moving your household, decorating etc. and find that the clock will not cuckoo or the birdie will not retreat to his house and the door remains open, try the following remedies:

Remove the rear door and look at either the left or right bellow top. (Usually left), you should see a wire attached to the top of the bellow that (during cuckoo cycle), slaps the birdies tail to make his head bob up and down. If this wire is on top of his tail, it will prevent the cuckoo door from closing. Position the wire so that it is under his tail and see if that corrects the problem. You might have to gently bend the wire to re-position it. You will not harm anything in doing this.

• If your clock will not cuckoo, remove the rear door and look at the little hammer that strikes the wire "gong" that is attached to the rear door. That hammer must rest on top of the wire or it could stop the clock from cuckooing. If in doubt about this wire, leave the rear door off the clock and see if your birdie does his thing. If this is the case make an adjustment to the "gong" spring to allow for the hammer to freely operate.
  

• If you leave home and come back to find that your cuckoo has stopped because the weights have dropped to the floor, the following may occur:
  

After winding your clock, the number of times the cuckoo calls does not match the position of the hour hand on the dial. Simply move the hour hand (either direction) until it displays the correct hour. This hand is a "compression fit" on the shaft. Make sure you "push" the hand toward the face of the clock once you get it in position, to assure a snug fit on the shaft. After doing this, wait until the correct "real time" comes and start your clock.

Not always does this problem occur but it is easy to correct if it happens.

• 
  When a clock gets older and dirt works its way into the movement, it’s an obvious sign that it needs cleaning. If it will run for a while and then stop, it’s a sure sign that it needs attention.
  Sometimes you can compensate for this by simply tilting your clock either to the left or the right until you can hear a steady "tick-tock" rhythm. This "tick-tock" sound will be obvious to your ear when the clock is in a position it likes.
  

You should, of course get it serviced as soon as you can.

• “I  WANNA FIX IT MYSELF ”
  Many cuckoo clock problems are corrected by simple adjustments that can easily be made by someone with just a little mechanical ability. I am always available by phone to assist in “talking you through” any adjustments that may correct your problems.
  

The first procedure is to “set-up” a test stand that will enable you to have the clock running without holding it in your lap. One method is to place two saw horses with two boards on top allowing you to place the clock on top with the weights installed so the clock will run. Another method is, place two straight back chairs such as folding chairs “back to back��� on the floor, spread them apart just far enough to let you rest the roof edges of the cottage on each chair. You can then install the weights and allow the clock to run with both hands free to make adjustments.

If you have another method that will work.. great!
I will be happy to assist in helping you to get your cuckoo working again.

• A Book that I would recommend for those who wish to do more extensive repairs has come to my attention.  For more information please go to this page ... "It's About Time."