ClockInfo.com

The Westclox Factory in Scotland

Bill — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:22:54 +0000

An article about the Westclox factory in Scotland was just added to the ClockHistory.com web site. This factory produced over 50 million clocks in its lifetime. Many of these clocks are still around today, and can easily be found on Internet auction sites.

See the article

My Items For Sale on eBay

Admin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:22:57 +0000

I am selling some of my surplus Westclox and other alarm clocks, and parts, and other items on eBay. For most of the clocks I sell, I take pictures of the movement and case lettering, for inclusion in the Clock History database I am working on.

See my items for sale on eBay

The Upper Suspension Block Must Fit the Saddle Correctly

Bill — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:06:11 +0000

A recent repair job on a Kundo oval base 400 day clock reminded me that the upper suspension block must fit properly in the saddle.

I cleaned the movement and replaced the suspension spring. It did not need any pivot polishing. After assembly, the clock ran, but the pendulum made a small rotation even when fully wound (about 3/4 of a turn with small overswing or supplementary arc).

The upper suspension block had some play in the direction of rotation of the pendulum, causing energy loss. I closed the slot in the saddle slightly, just enough to remove the play, but still allowing the block to pivot freely about the suspension holding screw. The swing of the pendulum increased to about one full turn. Now I am satisfied that this clock will run well.

Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide

Bill — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:52:52 +0000

In 1984, my friend Richard Tjarks and I published the “Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide” to go along with the display of Westclox clocks and watches at the NAWCC National Convention in Indianapolis.

I have added recent research findings and more material to the guide, and it is available for download in PDF form. It is available free of charge, although donations are welcome! Jeff Wood and I are continuing our Westclox research. Jeff is particularly interested in early baby Ben and Big Ben history, while I am putting together general information about Big Ben and Baby Ben variations.

Download the ID Guide (PDF)

A Tale of Three Movements and a Clock (Ansonia Long Drop Regulator A)

Bill — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:38:37 +0000

About 1880, a fine Ansonia Regulator A, time only with calendar, was purchased for an office. The clock was enjoyed by many descendants of the original owner. It was well maintained, and always gave good service. In the late 1990’s, the clock was taken to a repair shop, and the repairman said he could not fix it! So he installed a chiming battery operated movement! The clock was passed down one generation, and the present owner was horrified at the indignity inflicted upon the clock. She asked me if I could find an original movement to install. I said I would try, but that it would take some looking, as the clock needs an earlier type of movement than is commonly seen.

After searching eBay for four weeks, I saw the exact movement we needed. It even had the original brass calendar hand and the hour hand. I bought it, and found a source for a good reproduction pendulum. A colleague supplied an original type minute hand to me. We had the case touched up, and an old glass painted with “Regulator A”.

I installed a Merritt’s Antiques P-1956 mainspring, as described in this post. This spring is 3/4 inch wide, 0.0165 inch thick, and 96 inches long. It is of excellent quality, and provides the correct amount of power.

Golden Hour Clock Repair Notes

Bill — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:12:25 +0000

1) Early Golden Hour clocks (made around 1953 and 1954) don’t use nylon pads to support the rotating gear ring. Instead, they have three slightly raised metal areas. When these wear down, the friction increases and can cause the clock to be unreliable. On 3-31-08 I repaired one by applying several pieces of black plastic electrical tape near the raised metal areas. Time will tell how long this repair lasts.

2) The same job as above had a groove worn in the metal retaining ring, causing the the gear ring to bind in places. I used abrasive paper to remove the grove. Now the gear ring turns much more smoothly.

(Job 4583 3/31/08)

Seth Thomas Oak Kitchen Clock with 89E Movement

Bill — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:12:22 +0000

I overhauled the movement of this clock recently. One of the teeth on the escape wheel was too short, so I inserted a new tooth.

Both mainsprings are original Seth Thomas mainsprings that measure 0.0165 inch thick. The strike speed is adequate, but I wouldn’t want the mainspring to be much weaker. The pendulum takes a fantastic swing, about three times the escape arc. The time mainspring could be quite a bit weaker and still have plenty of power.

This clock appears similar to the College Series “New York” with a different base and glass. It is also very similar to one of the “Capitol” series with a different base and glass.

My job 4526.

New Baby Ben Alarm Clocks Have Lost Their “Soul”

Bill — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:27:08 +0000

When the Big Ben alarm clock was introduced in 1908, one of its important features was that the entire back of the case was the bell. This made the alarm ring louder and deeper than other alarm clocks of the time, which had a small bell on the top. When the Baby Ben alarm came out in 1910, it shared this feature of having the entire back as the bell. Until recently, all Big Bens and Baby Bens had this back bell.

Current production Baby Bens (made in China) have a small movement with a small internal bell. The back of the clock is PLASTIC, so obviously, it cannot be used as a bell!

Below is a slide show of a Baby Ben I purchased at Wal-Mart on March 8, 2008 for $7.97. It has a blue dial and back, and a silver color metal bezel and base. This shape of case is a reproduction of the style 8 Bens which were made from 1964 to 1981. The hands are luminous but the numerals are not. These new ones can be distinguished from the originals by having a plastic back and being made in China.

The movement has plastic gears for the center wheel through escape wheel, a plastic pallet assembly, and a plastic alarm escape wheel. The movement is labeled

NO(0) JEWELS
UNADJUSTED
SAILING.CHINA

The instruction sheet gives the following warranty:

Limited One-Year Warranty

Salton, Inc. warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original purchase. This warranty covers only the original purchaser of the product. Salton’s obligation to satisfy the warranty is limited to either of the following actions, at Salton’s option: repair the product or replace it. To receive the benefit of this warranty, you must send the product together with this warranty (marked with the retailer’s name and address and date of purchase) to:

Attn: Repair Center
Salton, Inc.
708 South Missouri Street
Macon, MO 63552
(800) 919-3101

Salton makes no other warranties, either express or implied except as set forth in this express warranty. To the extent that any Federal or state law creates an implied warranty for this product , the implied warranty is limited to one year from the date of original purchase. Salton is not liable for any incidental, direct or consequential damages or loss whether arising by contract or otherwise. Some states in the U.S.A. do not permit the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions my not apply to you. A consumer may have additional remedies granted by law. The warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights that vary from state to state.

Merritt’s Antiques P-1956 Mainsprings

Bill — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:27:11 +0000

Merritt’s Antiques has a new 3/4 inch by 0.0165 inch by 96 inch mainspring for American clocks. It is part no. P-1956, currently selling for $7.00 each individually (quantity discounts are available). It is a higher quality, American made version of their P-1496 that I have blogged about earlier.

I bought one of these springs to test. The quality appears to be excellent. The thickness measured as specified, 0.0165 inches. It is tempered to a nice uniform blue, and is well finished with a nicely made, neatly attached loop end.

It seems to have plenty of power, as the coils open way up when the spring is first uncoiled. It may be too strong for some clocks.

Tomorrow I am going to install it in an Ansonia long drop octagon clock with early type movement.

Setting Your Mechanical Clock Ahead to Daylight Saving Time

Bill — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:26:30 +0000

Daylight Saving Time in the USA officially starts Sunday March 9, 2008 at 2:00 a.m. You will need to set your clocks forward one hour. I recommend doing this before you go to bed on Saturday night (March 8th).

On the vast majority of clocks, it is okay to set the hands forward one hour. When setting the hands, you should pause at each time the clock will strike or chime. On clocks where you set the hands directly (not having a time set knob), move the minute hand (long hand), and the hour hand will automatically follow.

Hermle Clocks (such as the ones I sell at Bill’s Clockworks): You may turn the minute hand ahead one hour, pausing each quarter hour for a chiming clock or each half hour for a striking clock.

Cuckoo Clocks: Move the minute hand ahead one hour, pausing at the hour and half hour for the clock to cuckoo.

Grandfather Clocks: Move the minute hand forward one hour, pausing at each quarter hour for the clock to chime.

Chelsea Ship’s Bell Clocks: Turn the minute hand ahead pausing at the hour and half hour for the clock to strike.

Antique American wall, mantel and shelf clocks: Move the minute hand forward one hour, pausing at the hour and half hour for the clock to strike.

French Antique Clocks: Move the minute hand forward one hour, pausing at the hour and half hour for the clock to strike.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT FORCE THE MINUTE HAND. IF YOU FEEL AN OBSTRUCTION, STOP MOVING THE HAND.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MOVE THE HOUR (SHORT) HAND - IT WILL MOVE BY ITSELF AS YOU MOVE THE MINUTE HAND.

DISCLAIMER: I AM PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION AS A FREE SERVICE. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PROBLEMS CAUSED BY FOLLOWING THESE DIRECTIONS.

Marine or Ship’s Chronometer: IT IS BEST TO LEAVE THE HANDS ALONE. Consult a specialist before setting a chronometer. It is best not to set the hands, just record the chronometer’s error each day.