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How to Get the Schatz Cuckoo Clock to Work

German Schatz cuckoo clocks are highly ornate, and made of carved wood. A mechanism inside the cuckoo clock enables the figural bird or other type of symbol to emerge from the clock on the hour. Inside the cuckoo clock are functioning parts that coincide with the outer mechanisms. If one part is malfunctioning, the cuckoo on the clock may not work. To get a Schatz cuckoo clock to work, you must examine and adjust the clock as a whole.

Things You'll Need

Small pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Move the latch on the back of the clock to open it, and push open the top. Use a small pair of pliers if necessary to get the top up. Remove any shipping clips from the bellows on the top of the whistles which make the actual cuckoo sound. Examine the gong and remove any paper from the inside. Close the back of the clock and secure the latch. Remove the chains on the Schatz cuckoo clock by untwisting the wire holding the chains together.
- 2
  Hang the clock by installing and 8- or 10-inch wood screw into the wall, angled upward at 45 degrees. The clock should hang at least 6 to 6 ½ feet above the floor, against a flat surface. To ensure that the clock does not fall -- especially if antique and pricey -- fasten the screw into the stud section of the wall.
- 3
  Attach the pendulum onto the hanger at the bottom of the clock's back section. Place one weight on each hook. Make sure the weights are in the proper order and not twisted when hanging. Push the pendulum to start the clock ticking. Adjust the clock so that it is hanging straight on the nail, which will enable to clock to tick evenly and will enable the pendulum to swing correctly.
- 4
  Unlock the cuckoo door by unhooking the latch holding the door, if there is one. Pull up the weights to adjust them by pulling down on one chain, which will bring the weight on the other end up to the bottom of the clock. Gently move each weight in this manner. Adjust the weights daily, and wind the clock along with adjusting the weights at the same time every day. Adjusting the weights will also regulate the cuckoo and the sound it makes.
- 5
  Set the time on the Schatz cuckoo clock by moving the minute hand counterclockwise. Pause at each hour and half-hour and listen for the cuckoo call sound. Do not move the minute hand past the number 6 or the 12. Pull up the weights after the time is set if they are in the down position.
- 6
  Adjust the clock if it is going slow by moving the pendulum nut on the bob. Move the bob nut or the friction fit up to make the clock go faster, or down to slow the clock.

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