Is it possible to DIY service a clock?
Discussion
There isn't a forum on PH for clocks so I'm hoping some of you watch enthusiasts might be able to help. We have been given this old clock and whilst I don't imagine it will ever be on Antiques Roadshow, it's a nice old thing.
The chimes sound lovely, however the number of "strikes" for each hour seems to be totally out of sync i.e. at 3.00pm it will strike 8 times.
I don't know when it was last serviced or saw any form of maintenance (I suspect never) so is it possible to do myself? If so what should I do?
The chimes sound lovely, however the number of "strikes" for each hour seems to be totally out of sync i.e. at 3.00pm it will strike 8 times.
I don't know when it was last serviced or saw any form of maintenance (I suspect never) so is it possible to do myself? If so what should I do?
If you had absolutely no idea how an internal combustion engine worked, would you attempt a full service and cambelt replacement?
Yes, you could service the clock yourself, but it sounds like it needs repair as well as service. You run the risk of making it far worse, or screwing it up permanently.
One for the professionals, I would suggest...
Yes, you could service the clock yourself, but it sounds like it needs repair as well as service. You run the risk of making it far worse, or screwing it up permanently.
One for the professionals, I would suggest...
If it was mine I would see what made it tic ( pun intended )
A friend has just 3d printed a wall clock, looking at the parts it is very simple, my curiosity would make me see how the chime part works, Google to see if you can see the mechanism and take it from there, understanding how it works is half the battle.
Edit to add link that might help
http://m.wikihow.com/Reset-the-Time-and-Resynchron...
A friend has just 3d printed a wall clock, looking at the parts it is very simple, my curiosity would make me see how the chime part works, Google to see if you can see the mechanism and take it from there, understanding how it works is half the battle.
Edit to add link that might help
http://m.wikihow.com/Reset-the-Time-and-Resynchron...
Edited by PRTVR on Sunday 18th December 16:40
If its old it will likely need special oil although some google suggests ATF is of similar properties, really old clocks used whale oil so you will need to get that harpoon and whale press out.
You also need to be VERY careful of the springs if you start taking too much apart as if released uncontrolled they could take you eye out or worse, even just letting them down with the winding key and ratchet release can set the key spinning such that it will give your thumb a mighty hurt.
it might though just be a case of removing the hands and replacing them in position to synch them back with the chime mechanism, you also have to remember when setting the time on one of these things you have to wind if forward gradually pausing at each chime to let it run through its sequence or else they get out of synch, a right PITA if it does quarter chimes.
I had a go at my grandmother clock I recently inherited. After numerous hours on the university of youtube I got it ticking from a completely seized clock, and thought I had the chimes going as they should until after I had put it all back in the case it suddenly decided to chine 12 every hour, my patience had run out at that stage though and to be honest it takes a special kind of person to have the chimes every 15 minutes and not quite at the right time, no matter how nice they are for the first few hours or so.
You also need to be VERY careful of the springs if you start taking too much apart as if released uncontrolled they could take you eye out or worse, even just letting them down with the winding key and ratchet release can set the key spinning such that it will give your thumb a mighty hurt.
it might though just be a case of removing the hands and replacing them in position to synch them back with the chime mechanism, you also have to remember when setting the time on one of these things you have to wind if forward gradually pausing at each chime to let it run through its sequence or else they get out of synch, a right PITA if it does quarter chimes.
I had a go at my grandmother clock I recently inherited. After numerous hours on the university of youtube I got it ticking from a completely seized clock, and thought I had the chimes going as they should until after I had put it all back in the case it suddenly decided to chine 12 every hour, my patience had run out at that stage though and to be honest it takes a special kind of person to have the chimes every 15 minutes and not quite at the right time, no matter how nice they are for the first few hours or so.
If the strike is always out by the same number of hours, just rotate the hour hand while holding the minute hand still. The hour hand is just a push fit, it's not keyed.
It's perfectly possible for a DIYer to "clean" and lube a clock, and it may even work OK for a while - until the dirt on the pivots and oil sinks works it's way onto the bearing surfaces. Taking a 3-train movement apart is easy, putting one back together properly is quite a bit harder. Actual repairs (pivots and bushes, new springs, etc.) takes practice and specialist tools.
I taught myself from books, practicing on cheap clocks from boot sales. 25 years (and many hundreds of clocks) on, I still come across jobs that cause a bit of head scratching.
It's perfectly possible for a DIYer to "clean" and lube a clock, and it may even work OK for a while - until the dirt on the pivots and oil sinks works it's way onto the bearing surfaces. Taking a 3-train movement apart is easy, putting one back together properly is quite a bit harder. Actual repairs (pivots and bushes, new springs, etc.) takes practice and specialist tools.
I taught myself from books, practicing on cheap clocks from boot sales. 25 years (and many hundreds of clocks) on, I still come across jobs that cause a bit of head scratching.
clockworks said:
If the strike is always out by the same number of hours, just rotate the hour hand while holding the minute hand still. The hour hand is just a push fit, it's not keyed...
Indeed, also on some clocks once you've set the hands they need to run for a few hours for the chimes to get back into sync. clockworks said:
If the strike is always out by the same number of hours, just rotate the hour hand while holding the minute hand still. The hour hand is just a push fit, it's not keyed.
It's perfectly possible for a DIYer to "clean" and lube a clock, and it may even work OK for a while - until the dirt on the pivots and oil sinks works it's way onto the bearing surfaces. Taking a 3-train movement apart is easy, putting one back together properly is quite a bit harder. Actual repairs (pivots and bushes, new springs, etc.) takes practice and specialist tools.
I taught myself from books, practicing on cheap clocks from boot sales. 25 years (and many hundreds of clocks) on, I still come across jobs that cause a bit of head scratching.
Exactly this. Just reposition the hour hand. It is very probably a friction fit and out of position.It's perfectly possible for a DIYer to "clean" and lube a clock, and it may even work OK for a while - until the dirt on the pivots and oil sinks works it's way onto the bearing surfaces. Taking a 3-train movement apart is easy, putting one back together properly is quite a bit harder. Actual repairs (pivots and bushes, new springs, etc.) takes practice and specialist tools.
I taught myself from books, practicing on cheap clocks from boot sales. 25 years (and many hundreds of clocks) on, I still come across jobs that cause a bit of head scratching.
For a service, use a pro.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff