Nice comments from cuckoo clock repair customers

As you may know, I take on all cuckoo clock repair questions at my website. Here is a letter I received after a questioner phoned me to see if I would be insulted if he sent me enough money to take me and Mrs. Papa out to lunch. All I had done was answer his question about setting his cuckoo clock hands. I get lots of calls with questions about cuckoos and my services, but this was a first. I told him it wasn't expected, I don't mind answering cuckoo clock questions. I get them all the time from someone who bought a clock that didn't meet expectations when it got there from eBay. I certainly didn't mind helping this fellow repair his treasured clock by email. I expected nothing in return

03-12-08

Hi "Papa" John,

I just wanted to thank you again for your precise advice on setting my cuckoo hands correctly. I got it right on the second try. Enclosed is a small token of my appreciation. It won't buy you and your wife a steak dinner, but it might buy you both breakfast at your local diner. If you are ever in the northern New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania area give me a call and I'll buy you another breakfast.

Sincerely, BA and phone#

Ask me your Cuckoo Repair Questions before having your clock serviced!

I'm John "Papa" Barnette The Cuckoo Clock Doctor. My website is www.cuckooclockdoctor.com . Whether yourcuckoo clock has been silent for 50 years or its brand new and the cat pulled it off the wall, finding a clock shop that will repair it can be frustrating. Most clock shops won't take in cuckoos because they are time consuming. When they do take them in they will replace your old movement and bellows with new ones. This saves them time and they will just add the cost of the new parts to their labor. Your old bellows and movements will wind up on eBay. Don't fall for the latest scam. There are some people advertising to oil and adjust your clock for a low price. If that is all your clock needs, save the shipping and just ask me. The gimmick price is a guaranteed loser because you will be charged for any and everything else that they can get away with.I don't work that way. My workshop is tooled up for just cuckoos. Cuckoo clocks are time consuming because you have to remove the bellows "the coo coo whistles", wires, the bird, weights, chains, and music box just to get to the movement. These are all crammed into a tiny case and their adjustment is critical. That is where experience with cuckoos pays off. Now, here is the rub. Generally old cuckoos have deteriorated fabric on the bellows causing the whistles not to work without an airtight fit. I replace the fabric on the bellows if needed. I won't try to sell you new tops or new bellows, I fix the originals. The same applies to the movement. I totally disassemble your movement and clean it ultrasonically. I polish all the pivots and check the front and back plates for wear. I will put in up to 4 bushings, (bearings in the plates that the gears rotate on) in the plates. If it needs more than 4 bushings you need a new movement and we can handle that if necessary. Before I put it back in the clock, I will run your movement for 1 week on a test stand connected to a computer. It will count every tick and every strike of the clock, and spot problems if any. After, I reassemble your clock, I will time it, set the beat, and then run the clock for an additional week before shipping it safely back to you. I will include full instructions on setting up your clock.