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The Kitchen Table

Classes Anyone?

10 years ago

We inherited an antique shelf clock that has been taking up space for several years. I had been owned by my wife's grandfather. It was in running condition, but quite ancient. My wife suggested that I take a clock repair course and use her clock as a project, and so I did.

I took the clockworks apart, straightened and polished the pivots, added bushing to worn holes, Soaked the parts in a cleaning solution, reassemblied the clock and lubricated certain places. I was surpsised to learn that on this clock, a number of places where I might have added lubricant, should not be lubed.

I managed to get it to run again (after much fiddling with the escapement mechanism). The mechanism as restored should run for another 50 years or so.

This endevor has encouraged me to conserve the case. I intend to put it back to new new condition yet preserve its antique nature.

I have researched this clock and have its history back to ca 1880. The clock was made between 1830 to 1833. By the time I am done, I will have put more money into it than its market value, but we have no intention of selling it (and the price is right). As time goes by, its value can only go up.

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Comments (7)

Alice_sj
10 years ago
That sounds like a wonderful project and a fun class! My husband and I would enjoy such a class, and one of my former college professors still emails my husband occasionally to talk clock making, oils, and the such. I'd enjoy seeing pictures, if you care to share.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
I love clocks and woud very much appreciate seeing yours What an interesting class.
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sidnee
10 years ago
Yes! Please post a picture.
Sid
Fun2BHere
10 years ago
That sounds like an interesting endeavor. Kudos to you for conquering a new skill and opening your life to another area of interest.
sheilajoyce_gw
10 years ago
My younger sister sneaked the mantle clock out of my parents house after their death. My nutty aunt, my father's sister, was executor and would not let us have anything from the house except our clothes. We were still in school and living there. I am so thrilled she saved the clock, and a couple of years ago she gave it to me as she had no place for it. Remembering that beloved Seth-Thomas clock, I had asked my DH for a mantle clock several years ago and so already had a clock. Instead, we decided to give it to our bachelor son in NYC. The chimes don't work any longer, but I am so happy that it did not end up in a rummage sale.

I graduated from Bradley University, which had a large Horology Department when I was there. I do love old clocks.
jannie
10 years ago
Brings back memories. We had a mantle clock for years, it chimed every quarter hour. I remember as a teenager having trouble sleeping, listening to it chime all night. It "disappeared" after my Mom's death in 2011. Not sure if it still worked, it may have been tossed.
susanjf_gw
10 years ago
"This endevor has encouraged me to conserve the case. I intend to put it back to new new condition yet preserve its antique nature."....

thought that devalued the antique properties of the items? even though you're not planning on selling, I'd have it appraised for ins purposes. as is....

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