Mike's Clock Repair

In for repair is an Ansonia School House Octagon clock.  The Ansonia company has a very rich history in the United States.  For more information on the Ansonia Clock Company, follow this << link >>

Here are a couple images of the clock as it entered the shop.  This post describes the problems with this clock and the work performed to get it in excellent running condition.
The bezel was not attached and the glass was very dusty. This image shows the bezel off.  The label on the face says "A. Claus Time"  This was perhaps a Jewelry/Clock/Watch repair shop.
This image shows the clock with the face removed.  This particular model had the movement installed at an angle.  This is by design. Note the stamp of "Ansonia Clock Co." and the number "10".  This stamp tells us that the clock/movement was made in 1910.
Clock repair can be like being an archaeologist.  Uncovering the historical past.  Here we see an interesting repair.  The pendulum on this c…

In for repair is a Mauthe desk clock.  This is a one day clock with a musical alarm.  Here is a closeup picture of the face.  Notice the logo, F M S and the eagle.  This is the logo for Friedrich Mauthe of Schwenningen, Germany.  The town if famous for Carnival celebrations.

According to Wikipedia, Friedrich Mauthe's started the business in 1844.  His sons Christian (1845-1909) and Jakob (1847-1915) took over the management of the family business in 1876 . In 1886 Mauthe started manufacturing its own springs. In 1899 , the company made its own housing. Around 1900, alarm clocks , pendulum clocks, grandfather clocks, buffet clocks and office clocks were offered, at that time the number of employees was approximately 1,100.   For more information about the maker follow this link.

The initial reported problem was that  the winding mechanism on the time side slipped.  After examination and disassembly, it was found that the click, click spring, & click wheel were damaged.  The ent…

In for repair is a Gustov Becker Blue Delft Holland wall clock.  The movement is stamped with the Gustov Becker stamp marked Germany, this clock is an early 1900’s (1910) 8 day clock  movement.  The face depicts a native Holland scene in a Delft blue and white decoration. I believe this movement is slightly older than the early 1900's.  Notice there are no screws holding the plates together.  Only taper pins.

More information about Gustov Eduard Becker.  His clock company.

This image shows the movement removed from the case.

Follow the arrows, the mainspring is removed.  It is easy to see the damaged click and the solder repair of the winding arbor and wheel.  This is not a good repair but is solid so the decision was to leave this repair intact. The mainspring let go because the click did not hold.  This could have caused even more damage to the movement.  This movement was lucky that no other wheels of the movement were damaged.  The image below shows the damaged click.  This cl…

In for repair is an antique record player with a SAAL motor.  Serial number 17692 built in Chicago Ill.

The movement was extremely dirty.  This is a picture of the movement before any work was done.

Very greasy
After taking the mechanism apart the grease is really visible. This is a picture of the main spindle

The mainspring barrel
Another look at the barrel
Parts after cleaning and before assembly


A closer look
After cleaning and assembly
Finished Product, a smooth running phonograph motor

Ridgeway began as The Gravely Furniture Company in 1926 and started producing grandfather clocks exclusively in 1960. This makes Ridgeway the oldest continuously produced grandfather clock brand in the United States.

Pulaski Furniture Corporation acquired Gravely Furniture Company in 1985, renaming it Ridgeway Clocks, though the name "Ridgeway" appears on some clocks prior the acquisition.

Zeeland, Michigan based Howard Miller Clock Company acquired Ridgeway Clocks in November 2004 from Pulaski Furniture Corporation. Miller also owns Germany based Kieninger, which manufactures the movements that are built into each Ridgeway clock. The clock-making work moved to Zeeland in the spring of 2005.

In for repair is a Gustav Becker wall clock.

This particular Gustav Becker was made in Silesia Poland as can be identified by the stamp on the back plate of the movement. 
For more information about Gustav Becker Clocks follow this link more information about Gustav can be found by this 2nd link.
Back to the clock
A very nice looking clock.  The customer reported that the hour hand was loose, the clock was not striking the hour or half hour, and was not keeping very good time.  The clock was placed on the wall and tested to verify the customer's observations.  Sure enough 100% accurate!

Upon further inspection, i.e. removing the clock movement from the case found that the movement was very dirty and has been repaired before.  The previous repair consisted of rebuilding worn pivot holes.  There were 14 of them.  Inspecting these holes revealed that there was slight wear but in general very good.

A couple images of the front and back plates

And a closer look of the plates with the w…

Below is a abbreviated list of items either checked or repaired in a general overhaul
1.  All wheel pivots are checked for roughness.  There were not pivots that needed polishing. 2.  Inspect all clicks for wear.  All three chain wheels  had good clicks and springs. 3.  Inspect all pivot holes for wear.  Found 11 pivot holes that needed rebuilding.  The original hole was cut out and a new piece of brass was installed.  This new piece of brass was then reamed out to the exact size of the pivot.  Then the hole was polished and hardened for a longer lasting repair.  The outside of the hole both inside and out was beveled for a smooth fit.  After the pivot hole was rebuilt, the wheel was placed between the plates and spun.   The wheel must spin smoothly or else the clock will not operate correctly.  Every wheel hole tested  great. 4.  The escapement wheel was inspected for wear.  In better clocks there is not usually a problem here.  This is what was found with this clock. 5.  Pallets we…