Small Cuckoo Clock Will not cuckoo

I was asked to look at this small cuckoo clock. The chain had fallen off and she got it back on, but the cuckoo bird didn't come out anymore and cuckoo the hour and she had a problem with the clock not running very long and stop.
After playing with the clock a bit I didn't find anything wrong with the clock. When I hung the clock, I used a lever on the side of the clock and it ran perfect. The clock even cuckooed for me when turning the hands. For the new owner, she didn't realize how that silencer lever really worked. Also she said the whistle boxes were glued on.
While I had the clock, I preyed the Whistle Boxes off, took the movement out and oiled it on the front and the back after blowing it out, put the clock back together and did not glue the whistle boxes back in, I used a nail like it should have been in the beginning.
You can contact me at
email: [e-mail]
Now that I am retired, I just might show my life and some of the towns around me. I enjoy working on Cuckoo Clocks and clocks in general, How to repair vacuums, fans and things form the thrift stores, besides the thrift store finds, and working on houses. Time Lapse, Bird & Sky watching along with gardening. Helping my Dad with things he loved to do, along with taking dad and his wife to breakfast.
My Brother and Dad, live on the same Dead End Road and yea, maybe we just might get into trouble a little, but have fun doing it. It is time to start smelling the Roses on the way instead of looking at them and passing them by.

[@fabienlamour3644]

Seems so easy for you Mr. Mike. Always a pleasure to see you work.👍👍👍

[@justmike57]

I make it look easy, but I do have plenty of hours working on my own clocks. This is why I say, Buy a cheap clock that only cuckoo's, this way it will not kill you to mess things up. And you still have a good chance of fixing the part you might have messed up.

[@alexandreferreira717]

Challenging project. Small watch with glued parts made the work very difficult. Congratulations mission completed. Thanks for sharing.

[@justmike57]

Thank you so much Alexandre. Don't know why they do that.

[@andycallahan9215]

Great job

[@justmike57]

Thank you Andy Callahan and thanks for stopping in.

[@ScottiesClockWorld]

Thanks for the video link Mike. Problem solved for glued in bellows pipes. Also, the cuckoo bird has a lovely note.

[@justmike57]

I am glad to help Scottie, just like you do for others that are working on clocks. God Bless

[@ScottiesClockWorld]

@@justmike57 , Yes, thanks Mike.

[@melodiemurphy5908]

Thank you sir, for showing me this video. Stand by one, since I might have another problem with the chain reel. I’ll keep you posted. And again, thank you for your expertise and experience.

[@justmike57]

It does help to get suggestions from someone that has been there already. Thanks for watching

[@jerther_]

Hehe, yep, I remember the cuckoo clock at my grand parents house! My parents had a bigger one also, and they recently gave it to me. My baby son is going to grow up to that cute bird song too! :) When they gave it to me, it was all dirty inside so I cleaned it really well, following your videos. Now the clock runs very stable, but there's only one problem left which is exactly what this clock in this video does: the bird door sometimes gets stuck halfway open, and it won't sing anymore until I very gently force the door fully open (or gently pull down on the weight). When it was freshly oiled two months ago it was fine for a while, but it eventually got repeatedly stuck again. So I oiled it again very gently a month ago and it was fine again, and it started to get stuck again a week ago. So I'm not sure now what's wrong, but from what you show in this video, it might be the bellows paper that's gotten too stiff over time. The clock is about 50 years old now ;) What do you think?

[@justmike57]

This clock is old enough and all the dust that you cleaned out makes me thing this clock now needs to be taken apart and cleaned all the way. The book says if the clock stops working, it is time to clean the movement by taking it apart. It also say to oil both sides of the clock every 5 to 7 years. This is to keep the oil fresh and not let the oil to start drying up and turning to a gum. With you oiling the clock several times, This tells me the clock dirt and gummy oil is loosening up. It also could be the oil you are using on the clock. Normally I would tell people to use a good clock oil, but I always had a problem with that oil not keep the clock running for over a year. I now use 0-20 Full Synthetic Car Oil. So far the oil has been treating me right. By the way, they do make a Spray Can of cleaner to clean your movement if you are afraid to take your movement apart. I will give you the link if you are interested. www.ronellclock.com/product/super-clock-cleaning-spray/

[@jerther_]

​@@justmike57 Thank you! I used Liberty's. Maybe I'll try motor oil next time! To tell you everything, I tried to clean the movements multiple times by dipping it into different watery solutions. I tried Dawn soap, general purpose (floor) soap, acetone (can't find ammonia here for some reason), even vinegar, and it would work to some extent, but nothing would remove all the gunk and grease. Then I looked at my bottle of non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner and I said, eh, at this point, why not! And wow that stuff removed every trace of gunk there was!!! I also used it on the greasy black chains and they turned shiny within seconds. I thought they were made black haha! Do you think it's the same stuff?

[@Drifter5.7]

It's always cool to see the differences in some of these clocks and how you deal with them. Thanks for sharing.

[@justmike57]

You bet. It is kinda fun to find something different in a movement and to see what they might have done to get it to work like the others. You have a great 4th DJ.

[@sethlingenfelter]

Great video Mike! I liked your little trick of using a nail as a drill bit.

[@justmike57]

Thanks 👍. It is handy to know some of the tricks of the trade to make your life easier.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

I thought I was the only one who used a hammer like that. Nice little clock.

[@justmike57]

lol, if it gets in the way and could do the job, then it gets used, lol. It also saves me from getting more tools that bury the other ones I need at the moment. You and your family have a great 4th.

[@godisgreat8462]

Cool video my friend

[@justmike57]

Thank you so much Love Rules.

[@vijayakrishnannair]

Nice, thanks

[@justmike57]

You are very welcome Vijayakrishnannair gs. Thanks for watching.

[@welcometokrataikitchen]

Hi morning and nice video thanks for sharing happy day too like 👍😊

[@justmike57]

Very Happy Days when you have a Video and Pepsi. God Bless.

[@welcometokrataikitchen]

@@justmike57 hi morning and thank you so much cheers welcome 🍷😁

[@badbadbob1]

The art on the clock to extra time, you do not have just a stained look.

[@justmike57]

You are so right. Knowing your clock inside and out would be cheaper yet not everyone can do this kind of work because they have other hobbies that they learned and are using. The cuckoo clock is a great art, side piece to their wall.

[@JohnAmes]

Great video my friend big like

[@justmike57]

Thank you John. You have a safe, yet, great 4th.

[@TheNDTShow]

Cool looking hammer 🔨 nice clock 🕰 how many do you own yourself now?

[@justmike57]

I am so happy you like my special hammer, lol. I might have some kind of problem, but I am sure I have over 500 clocks of all sizes, shapes and sounds. I do love them all. Thanks so much for stopping in N.D.T. Show.

[@aryamlee1969]

I am so happy to see our cuckoo clock on your channel! It is working perfectly! Great video for people like me that want to learn more about their clocks. Thanks!

[@justmike57]

It was a beautiful clock and wished I had the pieces to glue them back on. And I was so happy to get the whistle boxes off in one piece. You have a wonderful 4h Aryamlee A

[@aryamlee1969]

@@justmike57 I glued the piece as soon as It got back! I will send you a pic! Happy 4th of July for you too!

[@carromacumba]

Terrific ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@justmike57]

Thank you Carromacumba.

[@carromacumba]

@@justmike57 My pleasure ✌️🤩

[@welcometokrataikitchen]

hi very nice video thanks for sharing like 👍

[@justmike57]

Thank you so much for stopping in Kratai Kitchen. God Bless.

[@willtherocker2373]

Everyone remember to hit the👍👍For Mike

[@justmike57]

Thank you Will

[@davidcarlisle3384]

Awesome video 👍😊. Very informative 👍.

[@justmike57]

Glad you liked it Dave Carlisle and you have a great 4th

[@barbdixon9673]

Another excellent video mike!!!!! I look forward to your videos. The more you make the more I learn! Thanks mike god bless!!!!

[@justmike57]

Thanks, you too! I am glad you are learning something with my videos. To get better at working on the clocks besides my videos, it will be taking the time taking them apart when they are dirty and need a good cleaning. Thanks so much for stopping by Barb.

[@NoneMechanic101]

The best in the business

[@willtherocker2373]

Mike good morning Beautiful cuckoo clock thank you for helping me get my papa's to work have a wonderful blessed day🙏

[@justmike57]

Good morning Will and thank you for stopping by this morning.

[@Manjihouewife]

Beautiful cuckoo clock. Mike your clocks are all so beautiful its hard to pick which one I love the most😍

[@justmike57]

Thanks so much! You are right, it is hard to pick but some are special that you don't see that often such as the Fiddler clock. Also I just saw one that sold for $600. on Ebay. Thanks so much for watching Manji and have a great 4th.

[@chantra77sulu.m58]

I was just thinking about this yesterday. mindblown~~~ You've made my day! Gave me Oxytoxin. This. Your channel is unique. L and S button on!

[@justmike57]

Wow, thank you Chantra77sulu.M

[@AbstractPossibilities]

what a cute little cuckoo clock

[@justmike57]

These little clocks are cute, yet for my hands it makes it difficult. Thanks for stopping in Faith and you have a nice 4th and hope your puppy does ok also. God Bless.

[@jimwilliams2327]

Mike, I have a clock that only cokoos'once every hour, is this fixable,or is the movement bad?

[@justmike57]

Fixable. Take the movement out. Look on the front of the clock at the Snail and the Lever that should drop on the snail on the hour. I would be willing to bet the clock minute hand was turned counter-clockwise and now the lever is stuck behind the snail or bent.

[@jimwilliams2327]

@@justmike57 thanks, will try, let you know

[@brianeifert4667]

Great video!! I have a question for you. Do you repair clocks and clocks movements for people?

[@justmike57]

Yes I do, but it is a hobby and not a business so when I get the time, I have fun working on these clocks.

[@brianeifert4667]

@@justmike57 ok I was wondering if you could repair a cuckoo clock movement for me. I can pay you for fixing it.

[@justmike57]

@@brianeifert4667 Look for my e-mail below the video.

[@brianeifert4667]

@@justmike57 I sent you an email explaining the problem with the movement.

[@cuckoholic]

Hello nice video and thank you for your time and video I have a cuckoo’s clock with a switch on it mines is Anton Shneider 2 I cleaned out my own cuckoo clock movement I hair dryer it reoiled it after it works great after I’m so glad for heads up thanks for your help it’s funny I named my cuckoo clock girley I’m a cuckoo repair lady now someday I like to send you my pictures of my cuckoo clock so you can see it what it looks like😊😊😊🎉❤

[@justmike57]

It's great that you oil your own clock so you know what the clock is about and saving lots of money as well. I do have an email below the video if you would like to send me some pictures of your clock. I don't check my email as often as I should, yet this is a hobby of mine and do help others with their clocks through the emailing. Thanks so much for stopping by.

[@cuckoholic]

No problem you deserve it and yes it does save money because it cost to much money to repair it thank you for sharing your time back at you 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍

[@munnerlyn3]

Another great video Mike. K means that it was made in 1978, 98, or 2018. Keep the videos coming.

[@justmike57]

Thank you Mark and good info on the age. Have a great 4th.

[@munnerlyn3]

@@justmike57 you do the same.

[@BigBlock8386]

Hi I have a question my cuckoo clock only cuckoo's ounce every hour but keeps time good I also lubricated it thinking it needed that with synthetic oil for clocks

[@justmike57]

It sounds like the counter arm isn't falling all the way down to the snail that tells the clock what hour it is. There could be a spider in your clock or dead bug, or even the washer fell off that holds the snail gear in place so the counter arm might be stuck behind the snail gear. Also there might be a spring Wire that holds on the counter are that either broke of fell off the counter arm and will not fall all the way down for the right hour.

[@BigBlock8386]

@@justmike57 could you do a video of this?

[@nysuff]

@@justmike57 i would love to see a video on that as well sounds very interesting

[@lisayoungquist125]

Please do a video! I just bought an old, old cuckoo and everything is great except the number of cuckoo’s is off on the hour. I don’t dare try it myself without seeing someone else do it

[@BigBlock8386]

@@lisayoungquist125 he showed it in one of his videos already subscribe to his channel whatcha all his videos he's very good

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I look at all the crap around on your desk oops did i say crap? I meant all the stuff.

[@justmike57]

Well, my Little Grasshopper, I am doing something about that. I am finishing the Washington room as we speak. I haven't done a video for a month now working on the plaster and still helping my dad with his needs. Thanks for watching Bat.