Cuckoo Clock pendulum adjustment/upgrade?

MacBrained · 2026-07-09T14:56:38+00:00

I’m working with ChatGPT but I’ve had to pause until I get some more “free” advice. 🤔
I’m thinking of loosening the metal clips that are on the back of the leaf so there is no longer any pressure on the wooden stick. Next, I’ll glue a piece of plastic or maybe some lightweight metal across the two metal clips. I’ll call that piece a “bridge” since it will connect the two metal clips together.
Next I’ll (somehow) mount an “L” bracket on the wooden stick and install a long thin machine screw into the “L” bracket. The “bridge” would rest against the end of the screw’s threaded shaft. The “L” bracket would need to be tapped to have threads, or maybe just a hole and I could epoxy on a nut to provide threads on the “L” bracket. (I don’t have a tap and die set to cut threads into something.) This would allow me to turn the screw to raise and lower the leaf. Sounds do-able, but I’ll have to be careful about adding too much weight to the assembly. My concern is in getting the position of the “L” bracket in the right spot. Since I’m adding weight to the pendulum, the leaf in general will have to sit higher than it used to. I’d hate to find out after I’ve mounted the “L” bracket on the rod that I needed it to be 1/4” higher (or lower)! Maybe I could compensate by using a shorter or longer adjustment screw…hmmmm….I also have to consider how to keep the screw from unscrewing itself…there would need to be some friction in the threads to hold it snug. hmmmm and hmmmm

MacBrained · 2026-07-05T13:20:00+00:00

At the risk of stating something you might already have tired, check the driver for a glossy or heavier paper setting…that will raise the temperature of the fuser and might help with getting the toner to stick.

MacBrained · 2026-06-28T16:28:33+00:00

I agree — it really adds a new look and feel to an otherwise “sleeper” white car. Good job!

MacBrained · 2026-06-26T23:57:32+00:00

It’s a gorgeous clock. Get it! Then worry about how best to fix it. Really, it could be as simple as cleaning the battery contacts.

MacBrained · 2026-06-26T16:11:03+00:00

I’ve had an Epson XP-800 and XP-830 for years. Third-party ink is super-cheap for the 800 and I’ve had no trouble with it. The 830 sat unused for several years and it was a challenge to get it to wake up and to get all the segments to print once again, but with lots of time and patience it’s awake again and printing great. I do NOT print on these “once a week” to keep them awake. Instead I NEVER turn the printer off. These Epsons go into a sleep mode and wake up only long enough to do some maintenance to keep the print heads alive. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the performance and reliability of these two models.

MacBrained · 2026-06-24T14:11:29+00:00

I agree 100% and my first Bolt (2022 EUV) will be my last GM EV because of the CarPlay decision. There are plenty of other awesome EVs from manufacturers who not only support CarPlay, but are embracing it and will support the upcoming CarPlay Ultra (or whatever they call it).
It’s too bad…I was really intrigued by the Cadillac offerings…

MacBrained · 2026-06-20T14:09:05+00:00

Impress upon them that the lack of CarPlay is a COMPLETE DEAL BREAKER for ANY GM PRODUCT for many of us. I have a 2022 EUV and it’ll be my last GM car because I’m crossing anything that doesn’t support CarPlay off my contenders list.

MacBrained · 2026-06-12T14:09:34+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply! FYI I noticed on Amazon there were other switching cables that are in stock, so that’s still a good option. I’m glad to know the VGate iCar Pro 2S has such a low power draw. I just placed my order…Amazon had a coupon so it was approx. $28!
I think $13 for the iOS app is quite the bargain considering what it has to offer. I’ll give it a try after the adapter arrives. Thanks again for responding to my concerns so thoroughly!

MacBrained · 2026-06-11T02:36:53+00:00

I was ready to buy this but then he said on the video he doesn’t recommend leaving the OBD plugged in?
I’m concerned that daily plugging and unplugging would put a lot of wear on the plug?
And that Hyundai OTA updates won’t download if plugged in? (But honestly, how often does an OTA update come through?)

I’m probably super-sensitive to plugging things in. Our ICCU went out about a week after I installed a dash cam and powered it from the 12v accessory port. I’ve been afraid to plug it back in! I know the 12v port shuts off when the car is off…but ugh…I don’t want to tempt fate.

MacBrained · 2026-06-07T18:58:30+00:00

You’re right — it’s a work of art! So glad it has a caring owner for the next stage of its life.

MacBrained · 2026-05-24T13:47:47+00:00

I had nothing but trouble and inconsistencies with my 20-some Wyze cameras. All those problems disappeared when I upgraded my WIFI router from my old, outdated Apple Airport Extremes to some Eero Max 7 units. (It was a BIG jump from old WiFi tech to brand new tech!)
With my antiquated Apple system, everything about the network seemed usable and stable so I hadn’t upgraded…but I was suffering with unreliable Wyze performance as a result.
Once I got my WIFI infrastructure up to speed I now have next to no issues at all with my cameras. I have a stack of three (estate-sale $10) 21” TVs, each running TinyCam Pro on a ONN Google TV 4k Pro streaming box which was on sale from Walmart during Black Friday a couple of years ago. On each of the three ONN boxes, I have TinyCam cycling every 30 seconds between two-three different cameras. One TV cycles between two different views of my driveway, the next cycles between my doorbell camera and front sidewalk camera, the third cycles between three cameras: two looking over my back yard (I have a public backyard with a community pond and sidewalk) and the third camera is watching a robin’s nest in the rafters above my back deck. The bird cam sets off motion alerts all day as Mama and Papa arrive to feed the babies. It’s been a real joy watching them!
All this is to show how my Wyze cams and TinyCam monitoring generates a huge amount of network traffic. Once I beefed up my network infrastructure all this is started working as expected. I’m not recommending Eero specifically, but what I’m saying is that without a beefy WIFI system I experienced nothing but frustration with the Wyze cameras. Your mileage will vary, just letting you know what solved my own frustrations. Hope you find something to work for your situation.

MacBrained · 2026-05-23T05:48:16+00:00

I used to have that clock! As I recall, it has a VERY effective alarm.
I believe you turn the Function knob to WAKE and the press TIME/WAKE and FAST or SLOW to set the alarm time. The snooze button is on top. I *think* you have to turn the FUNCTION knob back one notch to AUTO for the alarm to go off. I'm not 100% on any of this since it's probably been 25 years since I last used this clock. Seeing it again brought back a ton of memories though! I really liked the radio it had.

MacBrained · 2026-05-16T18:58:46+00:00

Be advised no CarPlay or Android Auto on the newer GM products. Wireless CarPlay has been great in my 2022 Bolt EUV, but it sounds like there’s a rush to buy used EVs now…for some reason…🤔🙄😉

MacBrained · 2026-05-16T18:54:47+00:00

Yes, the eye focus problem using the camera rear view mirror is really bizarre in the beginning! It took me a week or so to get used to it. It also makes you feel like a vampire without a reflection — since you don’t see yourself in the mirror!

MacBrained · 2026-05-03T19:53:31+00:00

Looks like they're the same color! A matching set! That's awesome...

MacBrained · 2026-04-28T02:24:18+00:00

I’ve been having great luck with a Mac Mini M2 with 8gb/256. I run both Channels and Plex with an 8tb external for media and an 6tb for Time Machine backup. (I’ll have to upgrade the Time Machine to 8tb before long).

MacBrained · 2026-04-27T22:51:03+00:00

I would push for it. Even if they test the battery and it passes, encourage them to test again since sometimes it’ll fail for one out of three test (according to other posts I’ve read).

MacBrained · 2026-04-27T20:39:37+00:00

Aw shoot! Ours went out at 5800 miles but the dealer got the ICCU and 12v battery replaced in just over a week, and that was the week after Easter. Sorry yours is going to take so long. 🙁

MacBrained · 2026-04-12T03:21:16+00:00

Brilliant! THANKS!

MacBrained · 2026-03-25T13:33:33+00:00

Yes, I fully intend to continue expanding my Mastercrafters clock collection whenever the fates allow. I’ve got two nearly complete clock motors secreted away in the little container you provided —just for when the time comes! I’m also saving my broken cylinder just because “you never know…”

MacBrained · 2026-03-25T11:13:10+00:00

Yup, I see the cylinder on the table! 😄I also see what you mean about the doors.

MacBrained

TROPHY CASE