Restoring Clocks that My Father Built

[ChiTownScion]

The first one that was restored was a school clock that Dad built from a kit back in 1972. All it really needed was a good cleaning, relube, and pendulum adjustment.


Next is a mantle clock with a triple chime movement. It lie dormant for over 20 years. Again- cleaning and re-lubrication seemed to do the trick.


Both clocks are now displayed in my library.

Next project is another school clock. Main spring is broken and I may have to just replace the movement. I'll post a picture when it's finished.

 

[Renault]

Those are very nice looking clocks!!

 

[ChiTownScion]

Those are very nice looking clocks!!

Thanks. Dad was a journeyman carpenter who spent a few years as a cabinet maker. The skills he learned were helpful when he made the clocks and when he did renovation work.

 

[Renault]

Well they are very nice works! Thanks for posting!

 

[ChiTownScion]

Here is the last of my dad's clocks: a school clock that chimes the hours and the half hour. Cost me $357.00 for the repair. The company that makes the works is long out of business and the busted main spring had to be replaced with one salvaged from another clock.

 

[Dennis Young]

Next is a mantle clock with a triple chime movement. It lie dormant for over 20 years. Again- cleaning and re-lubrication seemed to do the trick.
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Both clocks are now displayed in my library.

Next project is another school clock. Main spring is broken and I may have to just replace the movement. I'll post a picture when it's finished.

Wish I had one like this one. My dad had a clock that was on our mantle for years. Someone wouldn’t it too tight and it no longer works. I wish I knew how to fix it or where to take it to get it repaired.

 

[F. J.]

Not the “Overwinding” Myth again . . .

Wish I had one like this one. My dad had a clock that was on our mantle for years. Someone wouldn’t it too tight and it no longer works. I wish I knew how to fix it or where to take it to get it repaired.

Actually, it’s pretty much impossible to “overwind” a clock unless you go after the mainspring with a pair of pliers with the intent to break it.
Some people will put a clock on a mantle and later brag that it’s never needing servicing in forty or fifty years. Then, when it finally stops, they wonder why!:eusa_doh:
It ain’t ’cause you overwound it, it’s ’cause the oil dried up years ago and all them parts rubbin’ together all these years finally broke sumpin’.
These are probably the same people who never change the oil in their cars, either. Think about it: clocks never stop, so they have many times more miles on them than your car does!
Over time, as the oils dries up and the clock gets full of dirt and dust, the oil starts to gum up the works and the dirt starts to wear out parts, which is why clocks and watches need to be completely disassembled, cleaned, and lubricated every three to five years or so to keep them running accurately and to keep wear and tear to a minimum.

 

[Dennis Young]

Actually that would give me some hope. J But this clock had a key and had to be wound every 24 hours. Dad said he wouldn’t it too tight (this was years ago around 1982) and the thing hasn’t worked since. Its been kept in very good condition though ever since and I just assumed Ineeded to buy some new parts for it. I dunno.

 

[Shangas]

It's impossible to overwind a watch or clock. If you LITERALLY overwound one, then the whole winding mechanism would snap and explode and the mainspring would unwind at the speed of light and the whole clock would be destroyed.

It's simply gummed up with dust and dried oil. Take it to a clockmaker and get him to clean it and lubricate it. That's all you need.

 

[Dennis Young]

Cool! Now to find a clockmaker...

 

[Shangas]

Find a good one, explain what's going on, and find out what he does to clean it and get it running. It typically means pulling the clock apart, cleaning all the gears and axles, reassembling the clock, lubricating the necessary moving parts, and then winding the clock and checking accuracy. Same with watches, but I think clocks are easier 'cause they're bigger.

 

[Dennis Young]

Thanx.

 

[ChiTownScion]

Cool! Now to find a clockmaker...

Who made the mechanical movement? If the manufacturer is still in business, you obviously have more options that if it's not if part replacement is necessary.

I lucked out on the first two clocks, where all that was needed was a cleaning. Had a friend and lodge brother look at it first: he's a repairer of string musical instruments and has worked on watches as a hobby. He was able to take them apart and clean them. I offered him money for his time, but he wouldn't hear of it.(I did insist on buying him dinner, however.) He was quite frank about telling me that the third clock was above his pay grade, so I sought out a local clock repairer.

The local guy knew the out-of-business manufacturer's movements well and told me that that he'd restored their movements before. He was upfront: told me the work would run me at least $357. I also asked if replacing the movement was an option, and was told that the face and face back would have to be remade- so repair was the best option.

He did a fine job and charged nothing additional. It's been running for 6 days and has gained about a minute's time running, per my quartz wrist watch. I am quite pleased, of course.