ClockInfo.com

I recently overhauled this clock. The repairs included:

• Polished all of the train wheel pivots (some were rough when the clock left the factory);
• Installed 10 bushings (including rear time mainwheel bushing). One bushing had been installed by a previous repairer. It was crooked in the movement plate. To correct this, I installed a bushing with a hole too small for the pivot, then used a cutting broach to open the hole while uprighting it. Then the hole was polished with a smoothing broach;
• Replaced the click on the strike mainwheel, as it was very worn, and had been filed down. I installed a steel clickspring, and a steel rivet;
• Filed wear from the click on the time mainwheel, replaced the wimpy brass clickspring with a steel one, and replaced the brass rivet with a steel one;
• Installed the correct size suspension rod, and installed an original Sessions mantel clock pendulum bob;
• The strike mainspring was a replacement that was too thick (0.018 inches). I replaced it with a spring 3/4 inch wide, 0.0165 inches thick, and 96 inches long, Merritt’s Antiques part no. P-1956;
• The time mainspring had been ground narrower by a previous repairer. It was rough with sharp edges. I installed the same type of mainspring as above, Merritt’s Antiques part no. P-1956;

The new mainsprings mentioned above (in the last two items) provide plenty of power to operate the clock. The movies below show the operation of the escapement, the clock striking, and the movement with pendulum. This clock strikes bim-bam on two chime rods.

Here is a slide show of some of the repair steps:

The label on the rear door says the following:

No. 277 P

Eight-day Turn Back

Striking the hours on Two-Tone Chime

Half-Hours in Harmony

The Sessions Clock Company

Forestville, Conn., U.S.A.

NOTICE

The Pendulum Ball and Key are fastened to bottom of clock.

DIRECTIONS FOR STRIKING

In order to make Clock strike the hour desired, turn the long hand up to twelve and allow the clock to strike. Then turn back to nine and forward again to twelve. Continue in this way until the Clock strikes correctly.

TO REGULATE

Should it be desired to have the clock run faster, place the small end of the key on the arbor at twleve and turn TOP of key to the left toward F. To run slower turn TOP of key to the right toward S.

There is a date code of 9-38 (September 1938) stamped on the label.

Repair job 4836.

Related posts:

1. Gilbert Tambour Mantel Clock, 1919
2. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas No. 89 Movements
3. Ansonia Iron Mantel Clock
4. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas Adamantine, 89C Movement

I just completed repair of this Schatz standard size 400 day clock. Besides cleaning the movement (including the mainspring) and replacing the suspension spring, I polished 4 pivots.

The movies below show the escapement closeup, and the entire clock operating.

The slideshow below shows the front and rear of the clock.

Backplate like No. 1279 but also has a date of 9-52 (September 1952)

Suspension unit 8, 0.004 inch thick suspension spring.

Job 4835

Related posts:

1. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock with Black and White Dial
2. Schatz Maroon Painted 400 Day Clock
3. Kern Standard 400 Day Clock with Diamond Dial
4. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock Dated November 1952
5. Schatz “London Coach” 400 Day (Anniversary) Clock

I recently repaired this clock. The movement was ugly to start with, because a previous repairer had soldered bushings to the front and rear escape wheel pivot holes (see slide show below). The pivots were bent in the process.

I removed the unsightly bushings, removed the solder and straightened the bent pivots. The pivots were polished, the worn trundles on three pinions replaced, and the necessary bushings installed (I use KWM size American made bushings, friction fit). I made and installed new click rivets, and replaced the unreliable brass clicksprings with spring steel wire.

Time mainspring is quite thin at 0.0168 inches, yet the escapement takes great motion (in the escapement closeup movie the clock is 7 days run down).

Movie of escapement and movement in case:

Slide show of movement before and after repair:

Repair job 4772.

Related posts:

1. Gilbert “Lion” Oak Kitchen Clock
2. Gilbert Tambour Mantel Clock, 1919
3. Ansonia Walnut and Oak Shelf (Kitchen) Clocks
4. Ithaca Grandfather Clock with Gilbert Movement
5. Ingraham Oak Shelf Clock

In the late 1970′s, Westclox typed up a document giving highlights of the company’s history from 1885 to 1976. The document is now on ClockHistory.com

Related posts:

1. 1919 Westclox Parts and Repair Manual
2. The Westclox Factory in Scotland
3. Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide
4. A Walk Around the Old Westclox Factory, Peru, Illinois
5. Westclox Big Ben Chime Alarm Movement Photos

I repaired this Seth Thomas Adamantine clock last week. The movement is No. 89C, a popular movement for mantel clocks, using a semi-deadbeat escapement. This one needed a lot of work, including making a new dial (it had a terrible replacement dial), making a new front strike mainwheel bushing, and replacing both click rivets and clicksprings (the clicksprings were the unreliable flat steel type, one of which was broken). I routinely replace these with round spring wire springs. See the slideshow below for photos of some of the repair steps. Here are some movies of this clock in operation:

The time mainspring is 0.016 inch thick (thinner than average) yet the escapement takes a great motion!

Here is a slide show of some of the repair steps:

Job 4767.

Related posts:

1. Seth Thomas Sparta Adamantine Mantel Clock
2. Seth Thomas Adamantine
3. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas Adamantine, 89C Movement
4. Seth Thomas 8 Day Four Sided Top Shelf Clock
5. Seth Thomas Mantel Clock Glass Sizes

Most spring driven American antique clocks are overpowered (they have springs that are stronger than necessary). Even at age 100 years (give or take) the mainsprings are almost always strong enough to operate the clock reliably, assuming that the clock has been repaired properly, including POLISHING THE PIVOTS and installing bushings.

A spring should be replaced only if it is damaged (cracked or rusty). Some of the very old American springs (for instance from the 1850′s – 1860′s) are quite rough, yet they have operated the clock for all these years, and there is no reason to doubt that they will continue to operate the clock well. Yes, an old spring could break at any time, BUT SO COULD A NEW SPRING! I leave the original spring in the clock unless it is damaged. I install a weaker spring if the existing one is too strong.

French clocks are delicate, yet very efficient in operation, and I have not often experienced mainsprings that are too weak. The usual problem with French clock mainsprings is a torn hole in the outer end. A new hole should be made in the end, unless the spring is too short from having this operation done too many times.

Related posts:

1. Mainsprings for American 8 Day Clocks
2. Bushing American Antique Clocks
3. Things a Clock Repair Shop Should Not Do to Antique Clocks
4. Things to check when repairing an antique American clock movement
5. Putting an American Antique Clock in Beat

I just finished repairing this 400 day clock with a Herr standard movement. The back of the movement is labeled “Hall Craft Corp.” and “REX”.

Here are movies of the escapement and rear view of the clock in operation:

Here is a slide show of six views of the clock:

The movement needed six pivots polished. Back plate no. 1212. Suspension unit similar to no. 21. Suspension spring 0.0035 inch thick.

Job 4813

Related posts:

1. Herr 400 Day Clock with Rough Pivots
2. Kern Standard 400 Day Clock with Diamond Dial
3. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock with Black and White Dial
4. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock Dated November 1952
5. Schatz 400 Day Clock and 1000 Day Clock Suspension Units

I recently repaired this Kundo miniature 400 day clock with a pretty gold colored metal dial. The movement needed cleaning and a new suspension spring. The pivots and pivot holes were in good condition.

Here is a movie of the escapement in operation:

Here is a slide show showing the complete clock, and the gears in place before the back movement plate was put on:

Repair job 4810.

Related posts:

1. Kundo Miniature 400 Day Clock
2. Kundo Standard 400 Day Anniversary Clock
3. Heco Miniature 400 Day Clock (Made by Kern)
4. Setting Suspension Fork Height on Schatz and Kundo Standard 400 Day Clocks
5. Schatz “London Coach” 400 Day (Anniversary) Clock