How do I quiet down a mantel clocks chimes?

Question

My girlfriends clock chimes loudly every 15 minutes. How can I make it quieter? I can't turn off the chimes, she will just turn them back on.

Answer 1

My dad collected old mantle clocks as a hobby. He repaired them and we'd have more than a dozen chiming 24/7! Eventually we figured out that clipping small wooden clothespins on the chime coil mutes a mantle clock to a tolerable level.
If the chime coil is not visible from the front, you can stuff a plastic packing peanut in its center. Depending on the type of clock there will usually be an acess panel in the back of the case from which you can reach the chime coil.
Another method is to pad the end of the hammer which strikes the coil. We flattened a cotton ball and used string to tie it around the end of the hammer to soften the metal-to-metal blow on the chime coil or bars.

You can also set the whole clock on a piece of foam board to keep the shelf from amplifying the sound. Be careful not to upset the level of the clock.
You really don't want to bend or damage any part of a clock as that will lower its value.

Answer 2

Chiming Mantel Clocks

Answer 3

Mantel Clocks With Chimes

Answer 4

You're complaining about the timekeeping accuracy of a mechanical movement that's nearly 150 years old. I think maybe you have unrealistic expectations. The chimes being accurate on the hour but not the half is a simple matter of the half trip being slightly out of adjustment. Subtle tweaking can bring that back into alignment. Two weeks of good running isn't bad. Mantel clocks weren't as precise as long-case clocks, their shorter pendulums and tighter springs throw movements out of balance pretty easily. It was common practice to hear the more accurate church bells on Sunday and know exactly what the time was, and tune the clock every week. It's worth asking if the activity around the clock isn't consistent every day. If it's in a conditioned space on a setback thermostat that turns off over the weekend, the clock is experiencing swings of environment that can cause it to come out of adjustment. Again, being noticeably accurate for a couple of weeks is actually pretty good in my opinion. The chimes work for two days and then are "out." Out, how? Late or early? Could be some crud in the drivetrain causing it to bind, but I'm not going to recommend shooting WD-40 in there. That's death on clocks. You really need a clock repairman. I'm an interested hobbyist but not a professional by any means. Yours is an old example that still works; it's valuable and worth spending some money on to keep it in good condition. Good luck!

Answer 5

If it has electronic chimes ,just stuff the "speaker" tube w/ cotton balls to mute the chime a little or a lot.
If it is mechanical ,you can apply one or more layers of duct tape or such in a few places on the bell or gong.
If it is a coil type gong , cotton balls between the coils will tone it down .
Cotton balls in the speaker man myself.

Answer 6

Put a small piece of cloth tape on the chime
where it's hit by the hammer.

Answer 7

Stuff cotton balls in the chimes.

Answer 8

there should be a switch close to where you set the time, to do the quiet mode. Try that, Mine has one and I silenced it

Answer 9

Bend the hammers back a bit.

Answer 10

Sledgehammer will fix it quick smart