EN Welch Model "Aida" @ 1884 General Overhaul

 In for repair is an E.N. Welch "Aida" parlor clock.    Before we get started, here is a little history:

The E. N. Welch Manufacturing Company was established on July 6, 1864, to succeed an older private firm making clocks under the name of E. N. Welch. Elisha N. Welch had been making clocks at a factory site on East Main Street at Forestville, Conn. since taking over the bankrupt business of J. C. Brown about 1856. The company was known for its elegant rosewood cases, but in 1885, with changing furniture design trends, it began to manufacture new models with solid walnut cases and discontinued some of the earlier rosewood veneered cases.  After the death of Elisha Welch in 1887, the firm began to decline, selling off some of its assets and issuing new stock to raise capital. A new line of clocks was introduced for the year 1893, which appeared to be of much cheaper quality than their discounted line. In May of that year, the factory was closed down, and a receiver was appointed who spent nearly two years selling off stock and settling the debts of the firm.

This clock's label reads E.N. Welch Mfg. Co. Forestville Conn.  Estimated born date is 1884.  

The clock is an 8-day key wind "Half hour strike" with an original pendulum and reverse stenciled glass.

Initial inspection showed mass amount of very dirty with old sticky oil in the pivot holes of the movement.  Upon further inspection there was significant wear in 12 pivot holes.  These holes needed rebuilding.  With these worn holes there is usually rough pivots.  Of the 12 pivots, 8 were rough and needed polishing.  

An interesting repair on the escapement bridge.  There was a piece of brass soldered on top of the bridge (See image below). It appears given the excessive pivot hole wear on other holes and the "creative" escapement bridge; a previous repair person did not have the correct tools to do a professional job.

Click the image below for a video explanation of the 2 major reasons this clock does not want to run:

There were 12 pivot holes in total that needed rebuilding and 8 pivots needing polishing.  The next two images show the completed work. In this first image, the RED arrow shows the escapement bridge after the soldered brass removal.  The pivot hole was rebuilt.  The RED circle depicts the rebuilt pivot hole that was worn in the video above.  Zoom in to get a better view of the work accomplished.

This image is the back plate.  Worn pivot holes were rebuilt. 
After all machine work was completed, the clock was ultrasonically cleaned.

This image is the assembled clock movement.  Zoom in for a closer look at the pivot hole repair.

The clock was tested outside the case.  Adjustments were made to the escapement, and the movement was oiled with hi-grade clock oil.

While the movement was running outside the case, the case was cleaned and oiled.  The glass was cleaned; the 4 movement screws were replaced with shorter period looking screws.  There was a hole in the left side of the case.  This was plugged and stained.

The next stage of testing is placing the clock movement in the case.  The crutch suspension is adjusted so that when the case is level, the clock is in beat.  Click the image below for a short vid of the strike.

The next image is the finished product.  The customer wanted to replace the face himself, so it was left as is.  The rest of the clock was fully restored.  Click the image below to see the clock in motion.

The clock when all the pieces and part are installed is tested again.  This time to adjust the pendulum to make sure it is keeping accurate time.

A job well done.