Jenning Chief Help

[WoodrailFanatic]

Guys,

I am working on a Jennings Chiefs mechanism out of a '40s Chief console slot.

Got it all functional with one exception......when I cycle it (out of the console) the reels spin fine sometimes and other times they don't. I have traced this back to the fact that when the malfunction occurs the reel timing lever snaps back immediately at the beginning of the unwind cycle.

1) Am I correct to assume that this indicates a bad clock? The only thing that makes me think there may be another cause is that when I windup the clock up by hand it always unwinds smoothly and cleanly.

2) Is there anything else I need to look at other than the clock?

3) If it is the clock is there a way to resolve it short of replacing it or replacing gears?

Thanks for your help!

[mazzeosa17]

In addition to checking if you're missing some gears on the clock, you could check to see if one or more of the reels are bent, and maybe those reels are rubbing against other parts on the frame. But it does sound like the clock is the problem, and I'd think you'd have to take the clock apart and replace a damaged gear(s).