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This Seth Thomas Cottage clock has an 8-day time and strike lyre-shaped movement and was made around 1865 (movement marked Plymouth, case label marked Thomaston). The case is 14 7/16 inches tall.

In the past, someone coated the time second wheel with solder (visible on the right in the photos below). I have no idea why they did this. My customer and I decided it was not worthwhile to try to remove the solder. The dial is not shown because all of the paint has come off and it has had a paper face applied.

This movement has 4 wheels in the time and strike gear trains, and uses 11/16 inch wide mainsprings. I installed a new time mainspring 11/16 wide by 0.0165 inch thick by 96 inches long from Empire Clock. This spring opens out to about 9 inches when first released from its clamp. The movie below shows the escapement motion with the spring fully wound. The motion is good but not excessive.

I installed a new strike mainspring also, Timesavers 20506 11/16 x 0.0165 x 96 inch. (This spring opened out to 22 inches diameter when first released, but opened out to 13 inches after 2 winds.) I replaced both mainsprings because the originals were rusty.

Repair job 5072. Needed the pivots polished, 13 bushings installed, the escape wheel teeth trued, replace the wires in pinion T4, reverse the wires in pinion T3, smooth and polish pallets. No oil on the pallets.

Related posts:

1. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas Adamantine, 89C Movement
2. Seth Thomas 44 AG Clock Movement
3. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas 89C Clock Movement (6-18-10)
4. Seth Thomas Adamantine Clock Movement with Thin Time Mainspring
5. Seth Thomas Oak Kitchen Clock with 89E Movement
6. Seth Thomas Giant No. 1

A couple brought in this clock that they received it as a wedding gift over 50 years ago. They told me that the clock was put away in its box and was forgotten until recently.

I disassembled and cleaned the movement. The only problem found was that the pendulum hook had come unscrewed.

This clock is the same model as my first 400 day clock. This model is not nearly as common as the London Coach miniature 400 day.

Repair job 5199. Movement dated 3 56 (March 1956) on the back.

Related posts:

1. Schatz 1000 Day Clock Made in March 1956
2. Kundo Miniature 400 Day Clock Similar to a Schatz London Coach
3. Kern Miniature 400 Day Clock, Nickel Plated
4. Kundo Miniature 400 Day Clock
5. Schatz “Mademoiselle” 400 day clock
6. Kundo Miniature 400 Day Clock (4810)

This beautiful little clock was given to my customer’s mother in 1960, but it never worked for more than 5 minutes. It spent its life sitting idly on a shelf, and was given to my customer recently.

I disassembled the movement and cleaned it. A couple of the pivot holes were slightly too tight, and the suspension fork tines were slightly too close together. After adjusting these things, reassembly and lubrication, the clock is now running well.

The movement is dated 4 60 (April 1960).

Repair job 5194.

Related posts:

1. Some Schatz London Coach 400 Day Clocks Need A 0.0024 Inch Suspension Spring
2. Schatz “London Coach” 400 Day (Anniversary) Clock
3. Schatz “London Coach” 400 day clock made in September 1955
4. Kundo Miniature 400 Day Clock Similar to a Schatz London Coach
5. Schatz Diamond Dial 400 Day Clock, Made in May 1960
6. Setting Suspension Fork Height on Schatz and Kundo Standard 400 Day Clocks

When this movement came in for repair it had extremely strong replacement mainsprings from Germany (the ones that uncoil to over 20″ diameter when released). I don’t like such strong springs in American clock movements, especially the Seth Thomas 89 movements, which are efficient).

After routine repair (pivot polishing, bushing) and not so routine repair (having a new ratchet wheel made), I installed two new mainsprings – the Merritt’s Antiques P-1496 in Red/Yellow package. The thickness is 0.0165 inch. The video below shows the escapement motion and pendulum motion with the time mainspring 10 1/2 turns run down and fully wound. This mainspring provides enough power, yet not too much, for this clock movement.

Job 5077.

Related posts:

1. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas Adamantine, 89C Movement
2. Seth Thomas Adamantine Clock Movement with Thin Time Mainspring
3. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas No. 89 Movements
4. Seth Thomas Cottage Clock with 8-Day Lyre Movement
5. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas Oak Kitchen Clock
6. Mainsprings in New Haven Long Drop Clock Movement

Over the past three years, I’ve posted about mainsprings for antique American clocks. I started with a post on June 12, 2007 about a mainspring from Merritt’s Antiques.

Most clock parts distributors offer a “standard” American loop end 8-day mainspring 3/4 inch wide by 0.018 inch thick and 96 inches long. These springs are too strong! They may cause severe wear to the clock’s mainwheel teeth. A thinner mainspring about 0.0165 inch thick should be used instead. (Regarding mainspring replacement, I believe that the original mainsprings should be kept in an American antique clock unless a spring is broken, damaged or too strong. Notice that I said “too strong” – the old mainsprings are almost never too weak!)

Several clock parts suppliers offer the thinner mainsprings for American clocks, typically 3/4 x 0.0165 x 96 inches. Clock repairers have noted inconsistencies in these springs – the thickness and strength can vary from batch to batch. I recently bought springs from 3 suppliers to test. For each spring, I measured its thickness, and its diameter when first removed from its retainer. On some springs I also measured the diameter after being fully wound and unwound 2 times.

The measurements are given below, with the mainsprings placed in categories based on my recommendations. At times, a supplier will ship mainsprings from a different source. The mainspring types pictured below show the appearance of the springs that I measured.

Recommended Standard Length Springs – 96 Inches Long

Timesavers 18790, Specified as 3/4 x 0.0165 x 96 Inches

Sample 1) 0.0165 inch thick, opens to 10″ (this spring has some rust on the outside and will be exchanged for another.)

Sample 2) 0.0162 inch thick, opens to 11.5″

R & M Imports 77.308, Specified as 3/4 x 0.0165 x 96 Inches

Sample 1) 0.0160″, opens to 11″, 9.5″

Sample 2) 0.0160″, opens to 11.5″

Sample 3) 0.0160″, opens to 11″

Sample 4) 0.0158″, opens to 13″

I have been using this spring from R & M for years. Typical batches from 4 – 5 years ago measured 0.0165 inch thick. There was a batch about 2 – 3 years ago that had brittle inner ends that broke easily. Current springs seem fine in this regard.

R & M Imports 83065, Specified as 3/4 x 0.0165 x 96 Inches

Sample 1) 0.0160″, opens to 11″, 9.5″

This sample is identical to the above spring (R & M 77.308) and costs over twice as much, so there is no reason to buy it!

Merritt’s Antiques P-1496, Specified as 3/4 x 0.0165 x 96 Inches

New springs purchased May 2010:

Sample 1) 0.0159″, opens to 12″, 11″

Sample 2) 0.0161″, opens to 12″, 10″

I first used this mainspring 4 – 5 or more years ago. Some batches have been significantly thinner than others. A batch that that I purchased in October 2008 is packaged the same as this current batch. The springs  have the following measurements:

Sample 1) 0.0165″, opens to 11″

Sample 2) 0.0165″, opens to 11″

Sample 3) 0.0158″, opens to 11″

Sample 4) 0.0165″, opens to 9″, 8″

Sample 5) 0.0165″, opens to 11″

Sample 6) 0.0156″, opens to 11″

An older batch with plastic inner wrap had thinner springs:

Sample 1) 0.0157″, opens to 11″

Sample 2) 0.0155″, opens to 11″

Another old batch (probably 4 – 5 years old) marked “Anchor” on the plastic inner wrap contained mainsprings that were very thin:

Sample 1) 0.0135″, opens to 10″

Sample 2) 0.0140″, opens to 12″

Around June 2007, Merritt’s was shipping a different mainspring under this part number. It was the same as the R & M 77.308 and the Timesavers 18790.

Recommended Long Springs

Timesavers 15959, Specified as 3/4 x 0.0165 x 120 Inches

Sample 1) 0.0160″, opens to 12″

Sample 2) 0.0168″, opens to 13″

120 inch long mainsprings are sometimes recommended for more uniform timekeeping over a one week running period. I have had excellent results with the 96 inch long springs, however, and recommend them for most movements.

Springs That Are Very Strong

Merritt’s Antiques MS309, Specified as 3/4 x 0.0165 x 96 Inches

Sample 1) 0.0158″, opens to 15″, 13″

This is the type of spring made in Germany that is very springy. The package has a yellow label saying “Beco Technic Germany”. They are tempered to a straw color instead of blue like many other springs. I don’t like to use these in average American antique clocks, as they provide more power than necessary.

Merritt’s Antiques MS310, Specified as 3/4 x 0.0165 x 108 Inches

Sample 1) 0.0152″, opens to 21″, 18″

This spring is by Beco Technic Germany just as the above spring. It is intended for the Seth Thomas No. 89 movement. It may be stronger than necessary, and I prefer to use springs in the first or second categories above instead.

Springs That Are Very Weak

Merritt’s Antiques P-1956, Specified as 3/4 x 0.0165 x 96 Inches

Sample 1) 0.0165″, opens to 6″

Sample 2) 0.0165″, opens to 6″

Springs in this batch open out to only 6 inches when released from their clamp. They are not very springy and are too weak for most American antique clocks.

The springs in my first batch two years ago were excellent! They opened out to 11 – 12 inches when released from their clamps, and provided plenty of power. I used these springs in several clocks. But batches received last fall and later have been very weak. So I don’t routinely use these springs anymore.

Other Springs

Timesavers 29515, Specified as 3/4 x 0.016 x 108 Inches

Sample 1) 0.0153″, opens to 28″, 20.5″

This spring seems way too powerful. Also, the surface is not smooth and the spring has a rough action.

Conclusions and Recommendations

For American antique clocks, I keep original mainsprings in the clock unless there is a good reason to change them. For replacements, I prefer springs from the first category (Recommended Standard Length Springs – 96 Inches Long). Many typical Seth Thomas, Ingraham, Gilbert, Sessions and New Haven clocks can use these springs.

Ingraham mantel clocks with deadbeat (or almost-deadbeat) escapement can use a somewhat thinner spring for the time side of the movement.

Some Waterbury and Ansonia movements made from the 1880′s through the 1920′s originally had mainsprings 0.0145″ to 0.016″ thick. It is important to select the proper thinner spring for these clocks.

It is best to measure and label new mainsprings when you receive them. After a time you can build up a stock of normal, thicker and thinner springs, so you can choose the proper mainspring when a mainspring does need replacing.

I believe that routine mainspring replacement should be avoided in antique American clocks.

Thanks to Len Lataille for encouragement to measure these mainsprings.

Related posts:

1. Replacing Mainsprings in American Antique Clocks
2. Mainsprings for American 8 Day Clocks
3. Bushing American Antique Clocks
4. Things a Clock Repair Shop Should Not Do to Antique Clocks
5. Things to check when repairing an antique American clock movement
6. 30 Hour Spring Driven American Shelf Clocks

I just repaired this Gilbert tambour mantel clock that was made around the 1930s. It has bim-bam strike on the hour and half-hour. Height 9 1/2 inches, width 21 5/8 inches. Dial time track 5 3/8 inches. The aluminum dial is labeled:

Gilbert / 1807 / Made by Gilbert in Winsted, Conn., U.S.A.

The following movie shows the bim-bam striking:

The movement needed a lot of pivot polishing. The train pivots had moderate wear. The mainwheel pivots were very rough, and had probably left the factory this way!

The original 0.0175 inch thick strike spring was broken. The time mainspring was a previous replacement that was too strong: a Usibel France 0.o0183 inch thick. I installed the following new mainsprings:

• Time: R & M 83065 (same as their 77.308) 3/4 x 0.016 x 96 inches
• Strike: R & M 77.308 3/4 x 0.0165 x 96 inches

The following movie shows the escapement motion when run down 8 1/2 days and when fully wound:

Repair job 5017.

Related posts:

1. Gilbert Tambour Mantel Clock, 1919
2. Sessions Tambour Mantel Clock, Made in 1938.
3. Early Revere mantel clock striking too many times
4. Seth Thomas “Sentinel #10″ Tambour Mantel Clock
5. Seth Thomas “Plymouth” Tambour Mantel Clock
6. Two Seth Thomas “Plymouth” Tambour Mantel Clocks, 1938 and 1945

This beautiful wall clock called the “Queen Elizabeth” was made by the Ansonia Clock Company. It was introduced around the early 1880s and made until at least 1901. This model was available in black walnut, mahogany or oak; and had an 8-day time only or time and strike movement.

The clock pictured here has an oak case and 8-day time and strike movement. The paper dial is a replacement. Height 37 1/4 inches, width 13 1/2 inches, the minute track was about 7 inches in diameter on the original dial.

Job 5005. This clock has both original mainsprings.

• Time: 3/4 wide by 0.0168 inch thick
• Strike: 3/4 wide by 0.0175 inch thick

It has the larger, older type movement with 5 7/8 by 3 5/8 inch plates. The plates are 1.45 millimeters thick.

Related posts:

1. Ansonia Queen Elizabeth Wall Clock
2. Ansonia Walnut and Oak Shelf (Kitchen) Clocks
3. Ansonia Iron Case Mantel Clock with Small Round Movement
4. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas Queen Anne, Time and Strike, with Second Hand
5. New Haven Oak Kitchen Clock
6. Ingraham Oak Shelf Clock

I recently overhauled this Waterbury walnut cased shelf clock made around the 1880s or 1890s.This clock has a nice original painted dial. The hour hand is the original solid spade hand. The minute hand has been replaced.

This clock movement is known for running on thinner than average mainsprings. Even with the weaker springs, there was major wear to the pinion wires (some were cut 1/3 of the way through)! I replaced the wires in 4 of the pinions. On the other four pinions, I reversed the wires to bring an unworn surface into operation. The pinion wear was caused by 2 factors:

• The gears are quite narrow, concentrating the force in a small area;
• The clock may have been spray oiled. When oil is on the gear teeth, dust sticks to the teeth and becomes embedded, and acts as an abrasive, cutting away the harder steel pinion material.

The pivots and pivot holes had a typical amount of wear. I polished the pivots and installed 12 bushings.

A weakness of this and some other Waterbury movements are the flat steel clicksprings on the mainwheels. They commonly break. On this clock they were still intact, but the one on the time side looked about to break. I replaced both of them with round steel wire clicksprings. See the photos below.

This movement runs well with thin mainsprings. Both springs in this clock are original:

• Time mainspring: 3/4 inch wide by 0.0155 inch thick;
• Strike mainspring: 3/4 inch wide by 0.0165 inch thick.

Here is a movie of the movement and the clock striking:

Here is a movie of the escapement motion with the clock fully wound and run down 9 days:

Repair job 4879. The mainsprings are original, are not too strong, and operate smoothly, so I kept them in the clock.

Related posts:

1. Waterbury One Day Walnut Shelf Clock
2. Ansonia Walnut and Oak Shelf (Kitchen) Clocks
3. Ansonia Walnut Kitchen Clock – Older, 5 Pillar Movement
4. Gilbert “Navy No. 26″ Oak Kitchen Shelf Clock
5. 30 Hour Spring Driven American Shelf Clocks
6. Mainsprings for a Gilbert 1880s Parlor Clock