Repairing Your Own Clocks
By Mervyn Passmore

© Copyright
Mervyn Passmore 2005

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Contents
    Introduction
    Which clock to begin on?
    Hand Removal
        Pin and Collet
        Hand nut
        Friction fitting
    Removing the dial
    Letting down mainsprings
    To strip or not to strip?
        Cleaning without stripping down
    Stripping down the movement
    Repairs
        Pivots
        Bushing:
            Choosing cutting broaches
        Re-facing the pallets
        Checking the crutch and yoke
        The Platform Escapement
            Ordering a replacement platform
            Fitting a new platform
        Broken and Missing Pieces
            Broken teeth
            Suspensions.
            Clock chain
            Clock glass
            Mainsprings
            Pendulums
            Gong rods
            Winding keys
    Cleaning the dismantled movement
        Pegging out
        Using an ultrasonic tank
    Lacquering
    Re-assembly
    Lubrication
    Re-assembling and Setting up
    Setting up
        Siting
        Regulation
    Tips, Hints & Helps
        Bluing
        Silver soldering
        Soft soldering
        Dial Silvering
        Splicing 30 hour rope
        Black Marble or slate cases
    Tables
        Broach table
        Train count table

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Introduction

BEFORE you start work

No book can replace the professional clock repairer. A good clock always warrants a good repair by a competent and qualified repairer.

There are, however, many old clocks in need of attention but whose repair costs can be as much as or even more than their value. Bear in mind that when a repairer says a clock is not worth repairing, it simply indicates that when allowances have been made for the time involved and the overheads of the workshop, the repair will cost more than is worth spending. It does not mean it is beyond repair.

The professional repairer has many overheads the amateur does not, and so it is quite feasible to undertake repairs that would otherwise not be done. Not perhaps to the high standard a professional would achieve, but nevertheless to a very acceptable level.

The following pages will give you an insight into the methods used by repairers, although many have had to be modified to take into account the assumption that only the simplest hand tools are available.



This document is © copyright M&P 2005
© Copyright Meadows & Passmore Ltd and Mervyn Passmore 2005
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