Analog clock parts?

A

Andrew Rossmann

Guest
I have two old analog clocks I would like to repair. Both appear to have
a coil wrapped around a transformer-like core, and the other ends is
clamped around a copper-clad enclosed gear set. The coils appear to work,
and there is a good magnetic field, but I think the gearset has frozen or
gummed up. One clock is about 40+ years old, the other probably close to
60+.

The gearset looks to be an assembly enclosed in copper or copper-plated
something. It looks a bit like this from the side:

+---+
| |
+---+ +--------------+
| |
| |
+------------------++--+
++

Basically, the other end of the transformer frame is clamped around the
knob on top, and there is a gear on the bottom. From the top, everything
is round.

Are there replacment parts still available? I know at least one of the
clocks even has the final rpm or gear ratio or something listed on it (I
have to take it apart again to double-check.)

--
If there is a no_junk in my address, please REMOVE it before replying!
All junk mail senders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the
law!!
http://home.att.net/~andyross
 
On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 20:02:19 -0600, Andrew Rossmann wrote:

I have two old analog clocks I would like to repair. Both appear to
have
a coil wrapped around a transformer-like core, and the other ends is
clamped around a copper-clad enclosed gear set. The coils appear to
work, and there is a good magnetic field, but I think the gearset has
frozen or gummed up. One clock is about 40+ years old, the other
probably close to 60+.

The gearset looks to be an assembly enclosed in copper or
copper-plated
something. It looks a bit like this from the side:

+---+
| |
+---+ +--------------+
| |
| |
+------------------++--+
++

Basically, the other end of the transformer frame is clamped around
the
knob on top, and there is a gear on the bottom. From the top, everything
is round.

Are there replacment parts still available? I know at least one of the
clocks even has the final rpm or gear ratio or something listed on it (I
have to take it apart again to double-check.)
Click to expand...
Sounds like the gear-train is almost definately seized. It would have to
be completely stripped, re-bushed [1], new arbors possibly, new gears
possibly, cleaned, re-lubed, and re-assembled. Not a job for a saturday
afternoon.

You could also try asking about your clock over at alt.horology, tell them
exactly what you've got, e.g. make, any numbers/writing stamped on the
movement and/or case. But I've got a feeling they'll just tell you the
same.

[1] Assuming the movement is bushed, the arbors may just be running in
holes the plates. In which case it's completely knackered (repairable only
by making new plates).

--
Michael Turner
Email (ROT13)
zvxr.gheare1963@ivetva.arg
 
Definitely gumed up but probably in good condition otherwise. So,
you might try disassembling the gear box to clean it. (File along the
edge, then glue back together.) Or, drill a tiny hole and squirt in
some degreaser. Let it do its work, blow it out, repeat a couple
times. Then add some light oil and seal the hole. DO NOT USE WD40
for the lube!!!! You'll just be doing it again in 6 months.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Home Page: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Site Info: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: The email address in this message header may no longer work. To
contact me, please use the feedback form on the S.E.R FAQ Web sites.



michael turner <zvxr.gheare1963@ivetva.arg> writes:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 20:02:19 -0600, Andrew Rossmann wrote:

I have two old analog clocks I would like to repair. Both appear to
have
a coil wrapped around a transformer-like core, and the other ends is
clamped around a copper-clad enclosed gear set. The coils appear to
work, and there is a good magnetic field, but I think the gearset has
frozen or gummed up. One clock is about 40+ years old, the other
probably close to 60+.

The gearset looks to be an assembly enclosed in copper or
copper-plated
something. It looks a bit like this from the side:

+---+
| |
+---+ +--------------+
| |
| |
+------------------++--+
++

Basically, the other end of the transformer frame is clamped around
the
knob on top, and there is a gear on the bottom. From the top, everything
is round.

Are there replacment parts still available? I know at least one of the
clocks even has the final rpm or gear ratio or something listed on it (I
have to take it apart again to double-check.)

Sounds like the gear-train is almost definately seized. It would have to
be completely stripped, re-bushed [1], new arbors possibly, new gears
possibly, cleaned, re-lubed, and re-assembled. Not a job for a saturday
afternoon.

You could also try asking about your clock over at alt.horology, tell them
exactly what you've got, e.g. make, any numbers/writing stamped on the
movement and/or case. But I've got a feeling they'll just tell you the
same.

[1] Assuming the movement is bushed, the arbors may just be running in
holes the plates. In which case it's completely knackered (repairable only
by making new plates).

--
Michael Turner
Email (ROT13)
zvxr.gheare1963@ivetva.arg
Click to expand...
 
On 28 Feb 2004 21:54:58 -0500, Sam Goldwasser <sam@saul.cis.upenn.edu>
wrote:

Definitely gumed up but probably in good condition otherwise. So,
you might try disassembling the gear box to clean it. (File along the
edge, then glue back together.) Or, drill a tiny hole and squirt in
some degreaser. Let it do its work, blow it out, repeat a couple
times. Then add some light oil and seal the hole. DO NOT USE WD40
for the lube!!!! You'll just be doing it again in 6 months.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Home Page: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
Click to expand...
Same here,

I used to "dremel" that can open (make two flaps in the sides and peel
back, soak it in powerful chemical used for cleaning clocks &
ultrasonic. The mechanism is made of four plates, two for bearings,
two overlaid those to hold bit of oil.

Some can be taken apart, some not. Very old one was made of brass or
copper soldered shut.

Not all are saveable, some had gears stripped (those cloth & glue more
like brown instead of metal).

Cheers,

Wizard
 
Spray it with cheap silicone spray , worked for a clock and even a watch for
me
 
On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 20:02:19 -0600 Andrew Rossmann
<andysnewsreply@no_junk.comcast.net> wrote:

I have two old analog clocks I would like to repair. Both appear to have
a coil wrapped around a transformer-like core, and the other ends is
clamped around a copper-clad enclosed gear set. The coils appear to work,
and there is a good magnetic field, but I think the gearset has frozen or
gummed up. One clock is about 40+ years old, the other probably close to
60+.
Click to expand...
The best cure for sticky electric clockworks that I've heard came from
the antique radio newsgroup. One person there suggested putting some
rather heavy oil in a container and heating it up on the stove.

Drop the sealed clockworks in the hot oil and let it come up to temp.
As it does, the air inside it will expand and bubble out. Wait for the
bubbles to stop.

Remove the container from the heat and let it cool down with the
clockworks still in it. As everything cools, the air in the clockworks
will contract, pulling oil inside. Let it cool overnight and them pull
out the works and wipe it off. Power it up and see if it wants to run.

Most of the time this will fix things, but you may want to let the
works sit on a rag for a week to let excess oil seep out before you
reinstall it.

Once you've oiled it this way, it's a good idea to run it for awhile
in various positions other than the one where it spent most of its
life.

-
-----------------------------------------------
Jim Adney jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711 USA
-----------------------------------------------
 
On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 20:02:19 -0600 Andrew Rossmann
<andysnewsreply@no_junk.comcast.net> wrote:

I have two old analog clocks I would like to repair.
Click to expand...
Here is a reference to Telechron clock motor repair that you might
find helpful.

http://www.bhi.co.uk/hints/cn14.htm

-
-----------------------------------------------
Jim Adney jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711 USA
-----------------------------------------------
 
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