Here we summed up some Frequently Asked Questions of
a prospective cuckoo clock owner. Not all questions of interest can be
listed here under this section. More information you will find also in
the other sections of this website. To give you a better overview of possible
questions complexes we tried to sum up certain aspects under separate
buttons within this website.
If you do not find the answer on your question within these next topics
than please fell free to contact the HelpDesk of the sponsor of this website
Bavarian Shopping Mall.com via email: michael@bavarian-shopping-mall.com
| Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is my old clock worth?
This questions always comes up if somebody gets an old clock as a present,
finds it in the cellar or inherit it. Cuckoo clocks are like any type
of collectible – over the years it can lose or increase in value.
But there are many things that affect the value of a cuckoo clock. Most
important are the condition, rarity and demand. Many price guide values
apply to an absolutely mint clock. Clocks missing trim, broken pieces,
marred finishes, or that are not running are worth less. Please remember
that when you sell to a dealer, he will offer you 50% or less of what
the current retail value is. With a picture, we can usually help you identify
and value your clock. Please contact therefore more than one dealer to
get a better idea about the value.
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After unpacking the clock the cuckoo or the
music does not work
Please reread again the unpacking and set up instructions carefully of
your cuckoo clock manual. Or have a look at our hints under the “Set
up” button of this website. If the clock should not work in the
end, please check the following points:
- Has the cuckoo's door been "unlocked"? You have to turn
a little wire to the side, that secured the door while shipping
- Have the clambs been removed from the bellows inside the clock as
described in the instructions?
- Please check the position of the night shut-off. The most common
reason why cuckoo and music do not work is that they have been turned
off. With some clocks the night shut-off is a switch at the left side
of the clock, with other types it is a wire under the clock.
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What wood is used?
Most of the cuckoo clocks are made of Limetree (or Linden Tree, Latin
name: Tilia). Those trees with their heart-shaped leaves are quite common
in Europe. Their wood can be used very well for carvings.
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The major difference between 1-Day, 8-Day and
Quartz Cuckoo Clocks
Typically Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks are driven by a mechanical movement
which is run by weights under the clocks. To keep them working you have
to pull up the weights from time to time. With 8-Day
Cuckoo clocks you have to do this once a week, with 1-Day
Cuckoo Clocks each 24 hours. Quartz cuckoo
clocks are driven by batteries. They are not as authentic as mechanical
cuckoo clocks, the "feeling" is quite different because they
are using an animated cuckoo made of plastic and a recorded cuckoo sound.
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What service do Cuckoo Clocks need?
Usually cuckoo clocks run for many years without problems as long as they
hang in a friendly environment (not humid, not dusty, the temperature
should not fall below 32ºF = 0ºC). We recommend that the movement
should be cleaned and oiled by a clockmaker each 6-8 years. After overhauling
a clock, experts recommend oiling every two years for grandfather clocks
and every three years for shelf, mantel and wall clocks. Old clocks may
have porous brass which soaks up the oil, in addition, the oil dries up
as time passes. Fresh oil on the pivot holes helps prevent wear (assuming
the clock is still clean) and fresh oil on the escapement will improve
the pendulum swing. A qualified clock repairer should oil the clock so
oil is applied in the correct places in the correct amounts. Over-oiling
will cause the clock to need overhauling again sooner. Oiling the wrong
places (such as gear teeth) will cause excessive wear.
Merely removing dirt does not repair wear. Over time as dust gets in the
clock mechanism, the oil becomes an abrasive paste, which causes wear.
The longer the clock runs in this condition, the more repair it will need.
When the clock finally stops, it will take extra work to bring it back
to proper condition. Previous repair work by unskilled personnel can cause
even more work and will increase the repair bill. Often these problems
are not visible until the movement is disassembled and cleaned. So –
if you had fun the time the clock works than you should invest a little
more to get the fun back and let your clock get old.
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The Clock Stops or runs too slow / too fast
Please make sure that the clock is adjusted properly on the wall. The
clock must be placed in a correct vertical position so that the pendulum
can swing freely.
You must "listen" to the clock and be sure that the clock has
an even Tick-Tock sound. Do not adjust the clock with your eyes, do it
with your ears. This is adjusted by moving the clock to the right or left,
until you hear the tick tock sound which is even. The pendulum is responsible
for making the clock keep time. If your clock runs to fast, you can move
the pendulum-disc down a little on the pendulum to correct this. If the
clock is running to slow you have to move the pendulum-disc up.
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Shipping-instructions for cuckoo clocks
If you need yourself to ship a cuckoo clock, please follow those instructions.
It is nearly the same just reverse the set up process. Maybe you remember
the time when you got your clock. Just try to do the same. If you do not
remember than this will help:
- To send the clock, pull the chains so the hooks are under the case.
Insert a piece of string, wire or a twist wrap through all the chains
"as close as possible to the case bottom". Bundle up the chains
in a small bag, or a piece of aluminum foil and tie up the bag tightly
with a rubber band or string. This prevents the chains from coming off
the wheels, and creating a snarled mess of chains inside the clock.
- Put a strip of paper in the spiral gong on the inside of the back
access panel. Pack the clock in an oversize box with crushed newspaper.
Please do not use Styrofoam peanuts because they will get into the movements
and might damage them. Wrap the pendulum, and place in box.
- If you are shipping the clock to a service station do not send the
weights. If there are any numbers on the weights like 275 or 320, write
them on a piece of paper, along with your name, address, phone number,
your Email address, a short description of any problems and enclose
in box. So you will safe on the sipping costs.
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Getting repair material / parts for
your Cuckoo Clock
If you have ordered a cuckoo clock online over a website and need parts
for it than just simply contact it again. If you do not want that or the
website is gone than there are special websites available, which will
of course care for this. They have any parts of a clock. Sometimes they
are special service stations of various cuckoo clock manufacturers.
Best way to get what you are looking for contact the manufacturer himself.
Please check therefore the addresses we listed under the “vendors”
button on this website.
Also a very good online address is the Website TIMESAVERS. They have
almost everything you may need from hands and weights to complete carvings
and whole new movements. http://www.timesavers.com/
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The clock still not runs after the third shop
service
Make always sure that you pick out somebody who knows what he is doing.
If you are not sure about your local clock dealer than please have a look
under the here on this website listed “Service Stations”.
They are picked out by manufacturers themselves – so they know what
to do. Those, who do not have the expertise to do the job correctly will
cause you many times to bring the clock to another service station, who
will have to correct sloppily done work.
Some shops dunk the whole movement in cleaning fluid, dry it and oil it,
and call it done! This process takes less than an hour. They may use crude
screw-on or screw-in bushings, or even worse, solder on the bushings or
punch the pivot holes! These techniques are not accepted by shops doing
high quality work. Experienced clock dealers will take the movement apart,
clean and examine it for wear and damage and finally check if for correct
operation. The necessary repair work is carried out including repairing
the pinions, polishing the pivots, bushing worn pivot holes, checking
and repairing the mainspring ratchets, testing and correcting wheel meshing,
and checking the mainsprings. The parts are cleaned again, the pivot holes
cleaned with pegwood, the pivots given final cleaning, and the movement
is assembled and lubricated. This will cost you a little bit – but
you will be sure that your clock is in good hands and will work after
that probably.
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