Cuckoo Clock Repair - How the Cuckoo Music Box works and how to adjust in detail

chrisclockrepair.com
Cuckoo clock repair must include understanding how to properly service and adjust the music box.
Chris shows you how to understand and properly adjust a music box. This music box is for a side mounted cuckoo clock music box.

[@mantolaman]

Thank you so much! This is the best video on this subject I've ever seen. I had about given up on a box that won't stop playing. But, now I'm going to give it another go. Thanks again. Excellent presentation! Just need to find some proper size tubing for the fan stop.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thanks! You can use the fuel line for a model airplane gas engine. Check your local hobby shop.

[@mantolaman]

@@Chrisclockrepair Already got it fixed! Took about 10 minutes to get it out of the top of the case and about 5 minutes to adjust it! I used a piece of heat shrink tubing. Thanks again! Created a new issue during the process. Now the clock won't quit striking at the hour or half hour. Should be a simple fix, but I've yet to see the problem.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

@@mantolaman on the top mounted cuckoo music boxes you typically have a wire on the back of the clock movement that catches the fly during warning. If you adjust this wire to the right, you can pull the strike lift on the front of the movement such that it won’t drop and allow the rack to get gathered all the way up. That could be your issue. Do you have a wire that attaches to the back of the movement and catches the fly?

[@mantolaman]

@@Chrisclockrepair Right on, again! Adjusted that top wire a bit and it's now working - everything as it should. There is one small issue. On the hour the singer comes out and leaves the door open. And on the half hour He comes out, sings and goes back in and closes the door. ha, ha, .... I can live with that.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

@@mantolaman good job. That sounds good. You may be able to put a small bend in the cuckoo door wire so that it is a hair shorter. Like a slight hump in the middle of it. And put a drop of oil where the wire and door eye hole is and on the door hinge. That might do it.

[@johndonohoe6764]

Thanks Chris. The plastic tubing was missing on mine and I could not figure it out but knew something should stop the fly.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Yes, those music boxes can be a little tricky. Glad to help.

[@SkylarknTexas]

Thank you! About to tackle mine soon, getting it all apart, oiled, in sync and back into place is going to be a long delicate process as my first musical one🥰❤️🕊🙏🏻

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Good skill!

[@rdaltry777]

Chris, this was an excellent explanation of how the music box works. I think I understand what to look for and how to make the adjustments. Having the music box outside of the clock to make the adjustments allowed me to see what each piece was doing and the interaction between the parts. Once you had it back in the clock I could follow how the box was "pre-activated" but then held back until the cuckoo finished. I feel like I can try to adjust my clock now without fear of breaking something!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Very good!

[@user-nz3lp5me7v]

Echoing all below. I had to replace the flyer unit because of a cracked plastic worm drive. I set the music box movement up wrong, stopping with the hook, not the plastic tubing. I scratched a lot of hair off my head before I looked online. Great work explaining all. Appreciate the quality of your presentation.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thanks very much!

[@danhooper6695]

Thank you for your video. Just have a customer’s cuckoo in for new fly wheel assembly due to age and wear. Fitted new assembly to day but music roll was out. Your video explained it perfect to a watchmaker doing clock repair. Cheers Dan.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Wonderful!

[@toddnipp9070]

Thank you Chris! You throughly explained the mystery of music box mechanics! Looking forward to more videos.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thanks Todd! Stay tuned for more.

[@margie122555]

Very helpful! Thank you. I have 14 cuckoos most of different makes and I am trying to sort out the problems.

[@SumProject18]

I'm actually trying to make a music box that stops after playing; for a clock project. This video helped a lot, thanks!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Great to hear!

[@BradfordNeedham]

Thanks for showing the details of this fascinating music box design! It's very different from the few cuckoo music boxes I've seen. In those boxes, the stop arm (the thing that drops into the hole) is slowly lifted toward the rim of the barrel as the music plays, by a cam on the end of the barrel. The stop arm drops into the hole, which immediately causes the other end of the stop arm to catch the fly and stop the music. When the stop arm is pulled out of the hole (to play the music) the first thing it does is fall toward the inside of the barrel so that the arm can't fall back into the hole. The stop arm catches on the inner edge of the hole rather than the trailing edge of the hole. In contrast, your music box's large spring seems to do two things: 1) as in my music box, it pulls the stop arm inward so the arm can reliably fall into the hole, but 2) it also pulls the stop arm backward (see 14:18 and following) so that when the stop arm is pulled out of the hole the arm jumps backward so that the arm can't fall back into the hole. A fascinating design, because it requires the stop arm to catch on the trailing edge of the hole, so that the stop arm is pulled forward a little to catch the fly. Thanks for the detailed tour of this cuckoo's music box!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thanks Bradford. There are certainly a number of different styles of cuckoo music boxes out there. There is of course the top mounted style as well that is pretty common. They all work in a very similar fashion and as long as you understand how they are supposed to work, you can generally extrapolate how to properly adjust them. Thanks for sharing. By the way, is there anything in particular you would like to see in upcoming videos?

[@aayden4607]

What is the second song

[@aayden4607]

What is the second song

[@paulcorn6114]

Way to go Chris that was explained very well.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

I appreciate that Paul

[@pauldyck4596]

I like your videos. I've never seen before a train that is locked by something obstructing the fan so i learned something. You said the plastic tube that locks up the fan was missing so good thing you knew it was supposed to be there.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

I appreciate the feedback and glad you learned something 👍

[@agush8082]

its very useful, i did this just now without success, because i don't know the real scenario of the mechanism until i watched this video. thanks Chris

[@Chrisclockrepair]

That’s great to hear! You’re welcome.

[@garybledsoe3238]

Thanks Chris, excellent presentation! Very helpful.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

You’re welcome Gary. Thanks for the encouraging words!

[@fourstarrjim]

Great video, thank you very much!

[@wattsman99]

Thank you for these videos. Very helpful!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

You’re welcome!

[@michaelcarew]

fantastic how to, thanks, it solves the problem I was having with mums Cuckoo clock music box (split plastic governor drive cog)

[@Chrisclockrepair]

I love to hear that. Good job 👍

[@josephpcherylahaarstick5245]

Chris, Awesome job explaining the mechanism. Where do I find a new fly for mu music box though? The screw gear and the ring gear are worn out.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thanks. You can order a new assembly from here timesavers.com/search.html?q=Governor&go=Search

[@lsteevo1009]

Thank you so much; this was driving me 🤪 crazy 🤪! My clock was stopping on the hour but not the half hour.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

You’re welcome!

[@waukee321]

Thanks for the video Chris. I have a very similar cuckoo clock that uses the same tune on a cylinder roll it just plays 1⁄2 of it at a time. Right now it's only playing on the hour, but I do recall, and it's been a while, that it did play on the hour and half hour. Mine does not use the plastic tubing, it just uses a piece of metal that hits the flywheel. So only the one screw is adjustable for adjusting the trigger; the smaller screw with the slot is not used as an adjustment? I'm trying to do the adjustments while the music box is in the cuckoo clock but it's not easy to get to; it's located in the roof area. I guess it's probably best to take it out though? The bellows are glued in so that makes it difficult.

[@T4Tim]

Thank you so much! I inherited a cuckoo clock from my grandparents. The music box didn't work, dancers didn't move, pendulum no longer worked, chains stuck, and gears wouldn't move. I've been able to fix the music box (detailed below), clean the movement with dancers with an ultrasonic clear with water, tighten a small screw on a gear underneath the dancers platform, tighten the rod connected to the dancers platform and clock movement, oiled the clock, and put the chains on all the gears. Still haven't gotten the pendulum and clock to work. However, if I turn the clock minute hands I do get a cuckoo and the dancers do move. Might take some further troubleshooting, but progress! Music box fix: On the right side of the assembly, there is a white plastic gear. Often times this breaks/cracks. There was a KZbin video I found to buy a governor replacement and how to adjust and replace it with the new piece. The new piece requires some drilling of new holes and cutting some metal away. The music box governor was the 22-Tooth Music Movement Governor 13-Tooth Pinion (14495) timesavers.com/i-8944887-22-tooth-music-movement-governor-13-tooth-pinion.html None of this research and troubleshooting would have been possible without your video to fix the other issues I had! Specially I have the Regular 25 1 day with dancers. www.cousinsuk.com/document/product/regula-25-1-day-with-dancers

[@Chrisclockrepair]

That’s fantastic and I am very happy to have helped you.

[@richmarracino5977]

Thanks for the extensive and methodical video! Although I solved the problem with the music I know have to sink it so where it starts after the cuckoo stops doing it's thing!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Yes, that is where the wire that catches the fly comes in.

[@georgewebb1188]

thanks for sharing I have a clock that the music box plays before the strke and does not stop till after strike

[@claybaby003]

Oh wonderful!! I've been waiting on this video!! Lol Thanks Chris I can't wait to try this on mine!!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

I thought you might have been! Enjoy

[@claybaby003]

The music roll is on the shaft I will try to adjust the comb next. Thanks so much..I can't afford to take my clocks to a repair shop here around me they are asking a small fortune for repairs

[@Chrisclockrepair]

@@claybaby003 a new music box is $70 at timesavers

[@claybaby003]

@@Chrisclockrepair lol I just might get one!! Lol I lost your email address.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

@@claybaby003 [e-mail]

[@suziesturgill2462]

Great video 👍

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thank you.

[@mattveneri2112]

Great detailed explanation that has helped me advance in getting my chime to work properly! Thank you! My only problem now is that seems like the music roll skips through the comb in a few places. It appears that the pins on the roll aren't long enough in some sections almost like they're stripped. I even tried to adjust the height of the comb several times and never found the sweet spot (if that is possible at this point) where it would play properly through the whole roll (2 songs) without skipping. I would appreciate any advice. If I get the chime working, I would love to hang onto the clock. It is a Cuendet Swiss model with very similar inners as are in this presentation. Any suggestions???

[@Chrisclockrepair]

You’re on the right track. You have to adjust the comb or if the pins are worn, I would buy a new music box. Repinning is not worth the cost to repair

[@mattveneri2112]

@@Chrisclockrepair Thanks Chris! Where would I get a new music box like the one in your video. I've looked around and couldn't locate one. Any suggestions on who sells them?

[@meighkee]

Greetings and thanks a million for this video. We recently moved and pulled our clock out of the box only to find out we couldn't easily pull on the cuckoo chain (we have 3 weights). If you pull it real hard it will lift the weight but it sounds rough almost as though we jumped a link or two. Does any of this sound familiar? Thank you!

[@PipeSergeant54]

An excellent piece of help. I actually have three of these to do!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Very good!

[@PipeSergeant54]

@@Chrisclockrepair I'm working on a different one now. In this case, it is an eight day clock which needs to only play music on the hour, but this one is playing on hour and half hour. You got really close to it at 16:30 to 16:55, but could you please provide me with a tiny bit more information on adjusting the lever to where it goes down for the music box on the hour, but not quite as far on the half hour? Perhaps a video showing the procedure of that particular part showing how to do that? Thank you very much, I'm going to go back and watch what it does and look for a difference between the hour and half hour. Perhaps I'll see it. Again, many thanks.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

@@PipeSergeant54 yes the lever that actuates the music box travels further on the hour so if it is actuating on the half hour as well, simply reposition the lever further away from the music box a hair until you get it just right. You can always send me a picture on my email.

[@PipeSergeant54]

I went and looked at how it went down on hour as opposed to on half hour. I then let it ring for the hour, bent the activation wire up about 1/8", moved the hand forward to the half hour and the clock struck but the music stayed silent, repeated. It is fixed! Thank you!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Good work!

[@cinderellaslifeadventures7269]

Thank you so much for this great video, that I can actually see plainly everything you are ta.king about. I just purchased a cuckoo clock from an estate sale 130.00. She claimed it was new. Never been out of box. Got it home . Out of box I could tell it had been used and it even will not run. I'm definitely not a clock repair person, but I like to try to fix what I can because repair people for anything cost to much these days. So anyway the music don't play, some rust on alot of the screws, the bird only churps 1 time no matter what hour it is on and I level it to the wall but can only get it to run about 5 hrs then it will stop. I quess I may have to take the music box out of clock like you did to fix it. Some rust on the long things that roll over the cylinder as it turns. Actually could not get mine to turn. I need lots of help. Hope you have more detailed video like this one and thanks again.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thank you. Sounds like you have quite a job on your hands. Try lubricating the music box with clock oil at the pivot of each gear and see if that allows you to turn it. Also ensure the fly/governor is not interfering with any wires or levers

[@cinderellaslifeadventures7269]

Thanks for your time. Due to working 12 hr. Shifts it will be a couple days before I can work on it again.

[@user-rq9po2zv4k]

Дякую вам за працю 😊❤

[@popeye2sea]

Thanks for the video Chris. I just got a cuckoo clock back from servicing and the music box does not play as loud. Any hints as to what may need further adjustment?

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thank you. The sound is generated by the music roll plucking the comb teeth and there is an opening behind the comb usually to allow the sound waves to travel. You have to look at the comb teeth and see if they are too far from the roll when being plucked. That would produce a softer sound. If its too close it will jam. You can also drill a hole in the side of case where music plays to hear it better. Hope that helps. This is assuming your hearing is all good of course! Also note if the repairman cleaned the music box comb in a cleaning solution, it may have removed the dampers, adversely affecting the sound.

[@dion2265]

Great video. I have a similar clock and the music box spring is stretched and now the stop won't go in the hole. Any suggestions on what size of spring to get and the where to get one?

[@Chrisclockrepair]

You can order an assembly such as timesavers.com/i-9994475-music-movement-stopper-bridge-with-spring.html. Or you can go to a local hobby shop and find a little spring that is smaller than what you need and just stretch it out until you have the right strength. I would get a bunch of them in case you overstretch it. You can also check Merritts for what they might have.

[@GaryPArmstrong]

Hi Chris, With my cuckoo clock, it was jamming or stopping the clock on and around 4 to 3 minutes to the hour. After watching your video I have found out the problem. The problem I was having was as you described at 11:56 to 12 mins. I saw what was happening as my plastic tubing had worn that slight bit to jam the spigot in the music box housing as the fly was not stoping on time. In the end a simple fix that had me thinking all strange things which included pay someone to sort it out. Can you imagine it would be like the lamb to the slaughter ( in my case a pensioner to the slaughter. I would ask what was the problem and that person said this and that which I would not understand and forking out huge money for a 5 minute fix. I m hoping one day to completely overhaul an old clock. Looking forwards to the intricate fitting of bushes etc if need be.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Well done for diagnosing and handling that yourself!

[@GaryPArmstrong]

yes, it was a good feeling to work out what may have been happening after watching your video.

[@robertproctor198]

Thx for sharing

[@Chrisclockrepair]

You're welcome.

[@munnerlyn3]

The shoulder screw that you are talking about is important but the part that stops the fly is with the plastic tubing as you mention. So when your music isnt playing it all then you reposition the tubing before you go messing with the other piece that you are talking about.

[@mariost-gelais977]

super video merci beaucoup

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Merci! De rien.

[@user-eg2vk8qv5x]

Thank You it is magnificent. My cuckoo has the bird and the music playing at the same ...Advise or suggestions? please Luis

[@Chrisclockrepair]

There is a wire that needs to catch the fly of the music box while the bird is calling. Yours is out of adjustment is sounds like.

[@Edubarca46]

Excellent video. By the way, my cuckoo clock is striking TWICE when it reaches half hour. As you very well know, it should strike only ONCE for half hours. Do you know what is happening? Thanks

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Hmmm. This sounds like a mechanical adjustment problem with the rack or gathering pallet. This may not be an easy fix for you

[@olsongeorge1478]

Thank Chris ! great pictures & explanations. can you please explain how to get the man to go up ladder ? Thanks. George Olson Wisconsin .

[@suziesturgill2462]

Hey Chris I have a 69 E. Schmeckembecher musical cuckoo clock 3 weights and the musical will not budge any suggestions I haven't taken apart in fear of not getting back together

[@jerryhund5630]

The music box on my cuckoo clock has been running sluggish of late. Finally, after a few weeks it stoped. It only runs if I pull down on the metal pine cone. Does it need oil? Is this a sign of near death? I love this clock, what should I do?

[@Chrisclockrepair]

It will need a service. Depending on how severe the wear is, it may need a rebuild.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

My music box works well, except the music plays more slowly than when the clock was new (8 day). Aside from standing next to the clock every hour on the hour and pulling gently on the weight (thats a joke), any idea how to fix this? Does it require oil? Thanks

[@munnerlyn3]

Plus with the pin that goes into the hole if it is too far back then it will be hard to pop back out.

[@buckybadger26]

I have a 3 weight cuckoo clock the chain is coming down freely no tension on the musical chain/ dancer chain. Any idea on how to fix so it won’t drop freely?

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Chris, Cuckoo with dancers. Lately clock music doesn't play, but it's intermittent. Sometimes music plays sometimes it doesn't. Any suggestions appreciated.

[@beckywilliams9953]

We have a cuckoo clock with dancers that’s only six months old the left weight doesn’t move at all. I am assuming this is controlling the music box and the dancers simultaneously. What could possibly be the problem?

[@Chrisclockrepair]

I couldn’t say without looking at it, but if its so new it would be an adjustment problem or something wasn’t oiled properly would be my guess. Chain could be jammed in the gears

[@happysilence887]

I think I have a stripped gear in mine. What do I do? Can I fix the gear or do I have to replace it?

[@Chrisclockrepair]

For a modern movement if it has broken teeth you can order a new wheel

[@AlexNapierGolf]

Our clock is playing both songs multiple times just before the top of the hour, then it cuckoos and finishes playing the song. Would this be the same fix for that issue or could there be something else wrong? Thanks for the help!

[@Chrisclockrepair]

It sounds like the black activating wire is out of adjustment and is keeping the arm out of the hole too early.

[@user-jx7vz4wx3u]

I got a Problem with my Schneider 8-Day Cookoo Clock & can’t figure out how to get it to work right. Mine has a Music Box but don’t work it has a Battery Box for either a C-Cell or D-Cell battery. There is also an Electric Motor to run the Music Box. The clock is very clean inside no dirt anywhere. Can you tell me what needs to be done to get it operational again? The clock is at least 26” inches in Height. Can you tell me what needs to be done to it.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Not without actually seeing it

[@Donnybrook10]

TY

[@Chrisclockrepair]

You're welcome.

[@dawnhomes7035]

Can you tell me where I can get a replacement spring for this exact music box? Thanks for your help

[@dawnhomes7035]

And the little plastic tubing?

[@Chrisclockrepair]

You may be able to buy an assortment of springs from black forest imports or timesavers or merrits. The tubing can be gotten from a hobby store. Gas engine fuel line

[@dawnhomes7035]

@@Chrisclockrepair thank you!!

[@riverc3171]

Subscribed

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Oh nice!

[@myrticeahmed8838]

Do you know who can repair an Atmos clock?

[@suziesturgill2462]

The first and second chain i got working the 3 chain looking at the front of the clock froze up cannot free it up so not sure if the musical part works I believe it will but chain stuck or froze seems to be on wheel, not sure what to do its stuck

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Something is obviously jammed. Without seeing it, I am not sure how much help I can be. Were you able to sort it out?

[@williamjohnson1176]

I've got a cuckoo clock that wont play music unless I pull the weight extra hard. Do you have a video for that?

[@Chrisclockrepair]

It probably needs to be bushed as it is likely worn (either the movement and or the music box).

[@williamjohnson1176]

Its brand new. Just bought it while visiting Germany.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Then it will require some careful looking to find out what is causing it to be so stiff. Or it might need lubrication.

[@earthstar2493]

My dancers bind and there's horrible noises and then the weights suddenly drop. Looks like a trip to home Depot to get some wood to make a stand so I can see what's happening inside.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Thats a good start

[@nejdeteminn9457]

why can i find the balance plastic gear help

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Timesavers.com sells cuckoo music boxes and parts for them.

[@nejdeteminn9457]

@@Chrisclockrepair please give me a www address link

[@Chrisclockrepair]

@@nejdeteminn9457 timesavers.com

[@danmichie4357]

Great, now I have a question. I have a very large cuckoo clock that I bought in Germany 40 years ago. It keeps good time but the music starts playing about 5 minutes before the hour and plays continuously until about 1 minute after the Cuckoo. Do I move the music box? I've tried several things but it still doesn't work property. Everyone loves this clock and I can't find anyone willing to repair it. Thanks

[@Chrisclockrepair]

There is a wire that is supposed to move in front of the fly on the music box when the clock warns (at about five minutes before the hour). This wire needs to bent so this occurs. It is a very easy fix.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

Send me photo of mechanism from the back to [e-mail] and i will email you back detailed instructions

[@Samlol23_drrich]

@@Chrisclockrepair just reading through these comments. What a nice guy you are helping so many. Just wanted to tell you since people seem to only give negative feedback these days

[@Chrisclockrepair]

It’s hard to diagnose without seeing it, but seems like a simple adjustment that any competent repairman could do.

[@claybaby003]

I'm still having issues. The music box won't start on its own and then if I hit the fan it will go for a second and stop and its making a dragging or skipping sound. My gears are fitted together so I can't figure this out!! Talk about frustrating. Wow!! Lol

[@Chrisclockrepair]

It is possible you may have an issue with the governor having too much wear or you have bent or broken gear teeth.

[@claybaby003]

It doesn't look like any teeth are missing anywhere. Even when I had the music box out of the clock and was turning it to the blank area you were showing in your video it would skip or drag not sure what to call it like it would roll correctly then all of a sudden it was sounding like it was scrapping(?) And the wheel would roll fast then stop.

[@Chrisclockrepair]

@@claybaby003 ok. I got it. You may need to adjust the height of the comb from the music roll. It may be too close or crooked and causing too much drag. Another thing to check is if the music roll is actually moving on its shaft. I have seen those come loose

[@Chrisclockrepair]

@@claybaby003 if that isn’t your issue, you may have too much wear at the pivot points of your governor or at music roll

[@claybaby003]

@@Chrisclockrepair i am working on another music box and the round gear teeth that is on the music roll shaft isn't turning the govern i can pull it off of the shaft how does that attach back on?

[@suziesturgill2462]

The chain is froze will not move

[@flyweed]

Chris, great video. I have been working on Grandfather and Grandmother clocks for years, but I have my first Black Forest Cuckoo clock. It has cuckoo as well as music box feature, and dancers. I am taking it apart to clean it and oil it, as it's been sitting in a box for almost 20 years. Anyway, I have the bellows out, and have take the music box out, and cleaned and oiled, and it works perfectly! Now I have to take out the movement and get that cleaned up. I guess my question is, for re-assembly, does the movement go in first, and then the music box on the side? or should I install music box first and then the movement? My music box doesn't have it's own chain like yours, it has a gear wheel that meshes with another wheel on the bottom of the movement. I just want to be sure I am putting it back together correctly. Thanks for your time.