Most mechanical clocks even those over a hundred years old or more are repairable. On rare occasions, a major part may be broken, but with the right tools and skills, it can still be fixed. With a bit of knowledge and a few basic tools, the family clock could be repaired without needing to send … More Right to Repair: Countering our Throwaway Culture
In a previous article on servicing this clock, I mentioned the challenge I faced with the mainspring. With only minimal tools at my disposal and no spring winder, I was determined to find a solution and successfully service the mainspring. This clock was manufactured by New Haven and boasts a classic design with a twelve-inch … More How to Service an Open Mainspring Without a Spring Winder – Step-by-Step Guide
My collection of wall clocks includes several schoolhouse models and I am continually impressed by their resilience despite their age. While many of these clocks spent their lives in school rooms, some ended up in commercial establishments and offices, often neglected until they stopped working. I’ve seen clocks with bushing holes so enlarged it’s a … More Challenges of DIY Antique Clock Repair with Minimal Tools | Lessons and Limitations
Accepting the schoolhouse clock as a restoration project, I was prepared for the inevitable wear and tear it had endured over time. Despite its condition, I wondered what it would look like if the case was rejuvenated. Decisions, decisions. My collection of wall clocks includes several schoolhouse models and I am continually impressed by their … More New Haven schoolhouse clock | The case is in poor condition but what about the movement?
It’s time to inspect the movement on this mid-thirties German box clock. Purchased at an antique mall in Peterborough, Ontario, in May of 2017, it was serviced in 2020. This clock is part of a small collection at our family cottage and runs for about three months each year. However, the cottage environment can be … More Optimizing Care for a Vintage Mauthe Clock: Inspection and Oiling
Mechanical clocks, especially older or larger ones, can pose various dangers during operation and maintenance. In this post, we will cover some of the risks and hazards. Mainsprings Do not underestimate the power of a clock with mainsprings. Mechanical clocks often use powerful mainsprings to drive their mechanisms. If these components are mishandled, they can … More How to Safely Operate and Maintain Mechanical Clocks: Tips and Hazards
Occasionally I have clocks gifted to me as in the case of this lovely Art Deco-style German round-top wall clock made by Kienzle. The gift was greatly appreciated, although there was a small condition attached, which I will explain later. There are times when people consider gifting me a clock but hesitate because of the … More 1930 Kienzle Box Clock | A Heartfelt Gift and Memorable Encounter
This is very good news for clock lovers in Canada. I have not ordered clock supplies in some months and reported in an earlier post that W. H. Perrin and company had ceased operations as a clock parts supplier to Canadians. The company has been reborn as Perrin Supply Ltd (new owners). Instead of Toronto … More Clock Parts Supplier Perrin Supply Ltd Resumes Operations in Vancouver
Exploring Amazon’s selection of clock repair manuals presents several appealing options. However, purchasing these manuals can be intriguing, as it’s often challenging to know exactly what you’re getting until they arrive at your door. I bought three such clock repair manuals this spring. The “Antique Clocks Repair Manual” by Phoenix Publishing, “Clock Repairing for Beginners … More AI-generated clock repair manuals and other clock repair book discoveries
When my wife’s parents sold their home in a small town in Nova Scotia in 1996, they passed on a wall clock, which had been given to my father-in-law by a patient and had hung on the wall in the main hallway of their home, to his son, my wife’s brother. It has been in … More German Box Clock Restoration | A Family Heirloom
Kienzle might not ring a bell for many clock enthusiasts, but it was a major German producer of clocks for the general public. Kienzle Uhren GmbH, was founded in 1822 by Johannes Schlenker in Schwenningen, in Black Forest region. Jakob Kienzle joined the family by marriage in 1883 and became the sole owner in 1897. … More Troubleshooting a Time-Side Mainspring Issue in a Kienzle Wall Clock
In Part I, I explained the importance of bushing to mitigate wear on a mechanical clock movement. In summary, bushing involves replacing worn brass around a pivot by drilling a new hole and inserting a new bushing, either using a bushing machine or hand tools. Severely worn pivots may need re-pivoting, which involves installing new … More Understanding Clock Pivot Wear and Bushing: Part II of Two-Part Series
Is your mechanical clock experiencing issues such as intermittent stopping or simply not running at all? This might be due to several issues with the movement, one of which could be pivot wear. This is a two-part series. In Part I, I will explain why it is necessary to bush a clock movement, and in … More Understanding Clock Pivot Wear and Bushing: Part I of Two-Part Series
Eight years ago I came across an intriguing find not far from where I reside—an antique Ansonia octagonal short drop, commonly referred to as a schoolhouse clock. While I estimate its manufacturing date to be around the turn of the 20th century, pinpointing the exact year eluded me. The movement bears the stamped number “12,” … More An ordinary schoolhouse clock that had an ordinary life in an ordinary shoolhouse continues its ordinary life
Every blogger understands that building a successful blog takes time, often requiring months or even years to cultivate a loyal following. Challenges, patience, determination, and hard work eventually lead to finding a successful rhythm. With over 825,000 page views since 2015, and an average of 24,000 monthly views, I recently reviewed my blog’s statistics to … More Antiquevintageclock.com all time best 10 list
While explaining any process on paper serves its purpose, nothing quite replaces the effectiveness of a sequence of detailed still images that, in essence, tell a story. As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” First, what is macro photography? Macro photography is a specialized form of photography that focuses on capturing … More The Role of Macro Photography in Clock Repair
Clock movements often require bushing for several reasons. Over time, the original brass bushings can wear out due to friction and other factors. When this occurs, the holes in the clock plates become enlarged and misshapen, resulting in a poor fit between the components that interact with each other. This wear and tear can lead … More A smoothing broach completes the bushing process
Among clock collectors and admirers, the Hamburg American Clock Company is a well-known German company. It is otherwise known as Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik or HAU and in many parts of the world, it is simply known as HAC. In this post, I will outline the procedures involved in servicing the movement of a HAC mantel … More Servicing a HAC Clock Movement
Who is Craftline and why do we know so little about a company that sold fine clocks that adorned the living rooms of many Canadian homes from coast to coast? In the 1970s through the 1980s and into the 1990s, having a grandfather clock in the home was a symbol of success, and many families … More A challenge to anyone who can help unearth the history of the Craftline Clock Company
The belief that bad luck happens in threes is a common folk belief that suggests that if you experience one bad event or stroke of bad luck, two more are likely to follow in quick succession. While this adage is not grounded in any scientific or empirical evidence, it has persisted for years. In this … More Trouble Strikes Thrice: The Notion of Bad Luck in Threes
Clock repairers depend on reputable suppliers for quality parts, tools, and accessories, ensuring durability and customer satisfaction. Trusted suppliers offer a diverse selection of compatible components, expert knowledge, timely delivery, and warranty support. Efficient logistics and ample stock levels from reliable suppliers benefit repairers with waiting customers. The suppliers mentioned below, none of whom sponsor … More Clock Repair Essentials: Trusted Suppliers for Quality Parts and Tools – a revisit
Seth Thomas is a well-known American clock manufacturer with a long history, and they produced a variety of clock movements over the years. The Type 89 movement is one of the many clock movements produced by Seth Thomas between 1900 and 1938. The mantel clock in question features the Type 89 movement. Acquired in the … More Wrapping up the servicing of a Seth Thomas type 89 movement
Seth Thomas is a well-known American clock manufacturer with a long history, and they produced a variety of clock movements over the years. The Type 89 movement is one of the many clock movements produced by Seth Thomas over the years. This type was made between 1900 and 1938. I acquired this mantel clock during … More Seth Thomas type 89 movement servicing
I typically refrain from endorsing products on my blog, but my daughter recently brought to my attention something she believes would greatly benefit me as a clock enthusiast. She mentioned a “neck reading light,” which her husband suggested for her. It seems that during their evening TV sessions, he found the ambient room light she … More Good lighting is essential for the clock hobbyist
My apologies for the wordplay in the title. I recently encountered an issue with the striking mechanism in a German clock I’m currently repairing, and in this article, I would like to describe my experience with the repair. I have to admit it is a frustrating problem that could have been a disaster but I … More Disaster strikes a Junghans movement
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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