how to clean a seth thomas 8 day clock
Doug Weiss
looks great on my desk...runs well, but only for two or three days.
My guess is that it needs a cleaning after all these years...and
perhaps a new mainspring. I have two choices.....I could let someone
do it (if I can find someone who actually knows what they are
doing)....or I can use this as my first clock rebuilding learning
experience. Since I'm not afraid of tackling anything mechanical,
even without instructions....and can always use another hobby, I
thought that maybe I'd tackle this one. The most I can lose
is...well....what I paid for the clock at auction.
How do I start? Are there some good books? any place on the web?
Point me in the right direction....
CLOCKARD
-there are many clock repair persons that got there start just like
that.
-if you can not find any web help try my web page.
Dave Duncan
<<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>>
-Home Page-
http://members.xoom.com/clockard/Index.htm
Clockard Clock Shop
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On Sat, 11 Mar 2000 17:22:05 GMT doug...@sprynet.com (Doug Weiss)
wrote:
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John Woods
I have these suggestions for you.
!. Be sure that you are winding the clock all the way up. Seth Thomas eight
day mantles (89's for example) are hard for many people to wind since the
springs are very strong. Wind both sides (strike and time) all the way up.
This takes a considerable amount of strength. You may think that you will
break the spring or bend the key, but keep at it until you are sure that it
is wound fully. When fully wound these clocks will often run ten days or
more.
2. Do not consider repacing the springs unless they are broken. These clocks
are over sprung to the point that the springs hardly ever need replacement
because of use.
3. The main reason that fully wound clocks such as this type of Seth Thomas
only run for two or three days is that the springs need oil. Use sewing
machine oil or clock oil. Do not use 3-in-1. It has a solvent that you do
not need. Remove the pendulum. Lay the clock face down on a pad to protect
the glass. Apply the oil very lightly across the coils of the springs. The
oil will be distributed within the springs as the clock runs and strikes. If
you hear a thumping noise as the clock runs, apply more oil, but not too
much since it will drip in the case.
3. Do not start repairs until you are sure you know exactly what is wrong.
Get help on diagnosis if you need it.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
John Woods
www.watches-clocks.com
Doug Weiss wrote in message <38ca7e59...@news-server.optonline.net>...
The Baron
The symptoms you describe do indeed sound as if the clock needs ''a good
cleaning''. Let me first begin by saying, do not attempt to repair this
clock but take it to a qualified repair shop near you. Then on the other
hand, let this be your first repair and possibly new hobby.
The best beginners book is Steven Conover's 'Clock Repair Basics'. He
is a professional, member of AWCI and writes a newsletter for other
clockmakers. Despite this, the book is easy to read ,understand and yet
gives most answers to questions you may have as well as shows proper repair
methods.
The reasons for not encouraging you is that there are special tools
required, such as a lathe and bushing tool/mill that you may not have or be
able to access. It is true that pivot/bushing work can be done by hand but
it does require acquired skill and training. It would be a shame to screw up
your clock while gathering that skill. (The chuck on a drill press is not
accurate enough for any clock repair).
The easy, first approach would be to ''dunk the clock''. After
''letting down'' the springs, dunk, soak and scrub with an old toothbrush,
in your preferred solvent then rinse and dry the movement. Then oil with
your oil of choice. This method works about 5% of the time and the clock
might run for three hours or thirty days. If you local clock shop does this
type of repair, find another. Good repair shops call this ''preclean'' and
is performed before disassembly, cleaning and repair begin.
Most American clock mainsprings need to be replaced, they become
''set'' and will not deliver a consistent rate. This may be observed in a
''repaired'' clock by the daily rate, fast 4 days then slow three days for a
weekly average to be near correct. I really don't know why people don't
want to replace these springs, they are very inexpensive. Perhaps, ''if it
ain't broke don't fix it'', concept applies here.
Mtlcutter
,,,,,CHARADE,,,,
(A two-word phrase defined as a single term in regular dictionary order)
Back in the epoch of plow-horse and ox,
Seth Thomas stood out as a builder of clocks.
Long befor lock-outs and sit-downs and panics,
Seth was the FINAL of yankee mechanics.
No one then dreamed of a PRIMAL on labor;
Every one tried to do more than his neighbor.
Strong TOTALs he used in restricting the movement of levers;
he knew what each screw, nut and groove meant.
At length death removed him from life's petty bothers;
In the late 1850s he slept with his fathers.
His timepieces tick in our millionaires' hallways;
Handsome and tall, they were planned to last always.
(Taken from the enigma june 1950 no.555)
Spoiler
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.answer: banking pin (Ban-kingpin)
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Maz
"let them down." I would also suggest you find a local horologist who gives
classes in your area. Take a clock class, it's worth the money. You can
probaly find one by contacting your local NAWCC chapter. They will be able
to direct you to someone.
I also agree that most American clocks need new mainsprings, along with most
Hermle movements that come in for repair. I know I'm pushing it, but I think
most clocks need new springs.
Marilyn
"The Baron" <theb...@flash.net> wrote in message
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