Diagnose a Repair

 Some thoughts on what to look for when evaluating a clock for repair

1) Examine the clock mechanism for obvious problems before disassembly

2) Ask customer what they think is wrong

Checklist

Case -

1)      Hands original

2)      Case condition – wood

3)      Bezel condition – Glass & bezel hinge

4)      Case feet – damaged, present?

 

Mechanism – Looking in the back w/out disassembly

1)      Is the pendulum present?

2)      Are the mainsprings unwound? (both side(s))

3)      Are the mainspring(s) broken?

4)      Condition of leather of chime and strike hammers.

5)      Run the strike and/or chime mechanism.  Does it run or runs continually?

6)      Signs of pivot hole wear - Old oil in pivot holes
                                            - Rathbun bushings present?

7)      Signs of “Bad Repairs” – solder
                                         - Rathbun bushings
                                         - Strike hammers bent in all different directions
                                         - Solder holding the suspension spring together
                                         - Inspect for punch mark by pivot holes.  This is a sign of warn pivot holes that a previous repairer crowded the brass to correct a sloppy hole.  This must be rebushed.

8)      Suspension spring bent or broken

Customer Inquiries -

1)      Ask what the customer thinks is wrong

2)      How long ago was the clock serviced

3)      If modern mechanism, check the “Born Date”. 

4)      Ask customer if polishing bezel, pendulum OK.  Ask if refinish case is also ok.  General oiling is always acceptable.

Write down what is discussed to repair.  Let the customer know what you plan to do.  Let the customer know what is missing or not original.

Don’t assume the customer is correct in his/her assessment.  This is only used to get an idea of what the customer knows about the clock and to address his/her concerns.  It is also used to let the customer know that the repair might be more complex than the customer thinks.  Many times the customer would say, “It just needs adjustment” when it really needs a general overhaul.  The latter is much more expensive. 

 

Things to check in detail

1)      Mainsprings -
a) Broken
b) Hole end – are the holes damaged or ready to tear?
c) Mainsprings “set”
d) Mainsprings gummed or rough?

2)      Wheels -
a) Check all clicks
b) Check all pivots – Bent or broken pivots
                                  – Anything rough needs to be polished.

c) Are the wheel teeth damaged?
d) Bent arbors.
e) Lantern pinions – Are the trundles damaged?

3)      Plates -
a) Inspect for Bent plates

4)      MISC:
a) Inspect for odd things like washers in wrong location or washers where you would not think they should not be.
Example:  On pillar posts, this is a clue of poor end-shake and/or previous repairer did not know how to correct.
b)  Inspect for non-factory items including springs, washers, etc.  There is a reason these were added.  It is a good idea to check these items before tearing the clock apart.  This is a clue to what needs to be done to get the mechanism back to good running condition.

Specific Clocks

Cuckoo -

1)      Bellow tops

2)      Cracked bird legs

3)      Music box plastic wheel crack

4)      Worn pivot holes in music box

5)      Check weight requirements (Handout)

6)      Missing chain ends

7)      Missing damage ginger-bread case pieces

8)      Note what pieces are left & what the customer is keeping

 

American Time & Strike -

1)      Pallet wear

2)      Count wheel teeth (one o’clock especially)

Clocks with mainsprings in barrels -

1)      Check mainspring ends for damage

2)      Check mainspring “set” status with compare spring with barrel