Jenning Chief Help
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2026 6:52 pmGuys,
I am working on a Jennings Chiefs mechanism out of a '40s Chief console slot.
Got it all functional with one exception......when I cycle it (out of the console) the reels spin fine sometimes and other times they don't. I have traced this back to the fact that when the malfunction occurs the reel timing lever snaps back immediately at the beginning of the unwind cycle.
1) Am I correct to assume that this indicates a bad clock? The only thing that makes me think there may be another cause is that when I windup the clock up by hand it always unwinds smoothly and cleanly.
2) Is there anything else I need to look at other than the clock?
3) If it is the clock is there a way to resolve it short of replacing it or replacing gears?
Thanks for your help!
I am working on a Jennings Chiefs mechanism out of a '40s Chief console slot.
Got it all functional with one exception......when I cycle it (out of the console) the reels spin fine sometimes and other times they don't. I have traced this back to the fact that when the malfunction occurs the reel timing lever snaps back immediately at the beginning of the unwind cycle.
1) Am I correct to assume that this indicates a bad clock? The only thing that makes me think there may be another cause is that when I windup the clock up by hand it always unwinds smoothly and cleanly.
2) Is there anything else I need to look at other than the clock?
3) If it is the clock is there a way to resolve it short of replacing it or replacing gears?
Thanks for your help!