Proper Clock Lubrication: Essential Tips and Techniques

Like a car engine, oil is the lifeblood of a clock, and correct lubrication is essential for ensuring a long life for the timepiece. Lubrication is crucial for the efficient operation of any mechanical clock movement.

_{A dirty movement about to be disassembled}

However, it’s important to note that oiling a movement without first disassembling and cleaning it is not usually recommended.

If the movement has been serviced within the past two years, there is no black oil present around the pivots and the pivot holes are merely dry, oiling without disassembly is acceptable. Otherwise, if the clock has not been serviced in several years, adding new lubricant to old oil can mix with dirt and grime, forming a grinding paste that acts as an abrasive, and will accelerate wear on the pivots and pivot holes.

Using a spray lubricant is a no-no

Never use a lubricant spray like WD-40 on a mechanical clock. WD-40 is a water dispersant and displacement agent, not a suitable lubricant for clocks. In fact, you should avoid spraying any type of lubricant on your mechanical clock, as some parts, such as wheel teeth and levers/springs, must remain dry. Instead, use a lubricant specifically designed for clocks, such as Keystone clock oil.

As an alternative to clock-designed lubricant, some clockmakers have had good success with synthetic oil similar to the type used in car engines.

The application of clock oil

When applying oil, use a small amount—about the size of a pinhead—for each lubrication point. You can apply the oil with a toothpick, a small wire, a needle dipper designed for clock oiling, or a clock oiler. Avoid over-oiling, as excess oil can attract dust and dirt which will bind with the oil to create a paste, and increase wear.

I have never had much success with a hypodermic-style oiler but your mileage may vary.

While they are handy at first, the plastic vial or chamber eventually cracks with repeated use and renders the oiler useless.

pin or cup oiler and dipper — _{Clock movement oiler and dipper}

Instead, I use a simple cup-type oiler and dipper.

What to lubricate

Be sure to oil the pivots of all wheels, the crutch loop where it touches the pendulum rod, the escapement pallets, the clicks, and the mainspring arbours. For weight-driven clocks, remember to oil the pulley axles as well. While servicing a spring-driven clock, also oil the mainsprings with a special mainspring oil. keystone makes an oil specifically designed for all mainsprings.

Drizzle the oil along the side of the coiled spring, allowing it to wick between the coils, and wipe away any excess.

Avoid dipping an applicator directly from the oil bottle to avoid contamination; instead, pour a small amount into an oil cup for application.

In sum
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your mechanical clock remains in excellent condition and continues to run smoothly for years to come.

Proper lubrication not only enhances the performance of your clock but also extends its lifespan by preventing unnecessary wear and tear. Use the right type of oil and applicator, avoid over-oiling, and never use inappropriate lubricants. With regular maintenance and careful attention to lubrication, your clock will keep perfect time and remain a cherished piece for generations.

July 19, 2024

Oiling your mechanical clock – a quick guide

Like a car engine, oil is the lifeblood of a clock. A correctly oiled clock will ensure a long life. Oil is the “lifeblood” of the car engine; the same applies to a clock. Just as a car engine relies on quality oil to keep its moving parts running smoothly and efficiently, a clock depends on oil to reduce friction and wear between its delicate components, such as gears, pivots, and arbors.

Lubrication is essential to the efficient running of any mechanical clock movement.

_{German time and strike clock movement}

The primary purpose of lubrication is to reduce wear. Forming a protective film between moving parts enables them to glide smoothly against each other, thereby reducing resistance, improving efficiency, and minimizing energy loss.

Proper lubrication ensures smoother component operation, helping maintain accurate timekeeping by preventing irregular behaviour caused by increased friction. Additionally, it prolongs the lifespan of gears, pivots, and other moving parts by minimizing stress and wear.

A Quick Guide Including Some Dos and Don’ts

Avoid using spray lubricants like WD-40 on clocks, as they are unsuitable for precision mechanisms. WD-40 is a water displacement agent, not a true lubricant, and for that matter, spraying any kind of lubricant can harm the clock, especially since some parts, such as wheel teeth, pinions, and levers, must remain dry. Instead, use a specialized product like Keystone clock oil, specifically designed for clock mechanisms.

When applying oil, use a small amount—about the size of a pinhead—at each lubrication point. Tools such as a toothpick, small wire, needle dipper, or a clock oiler are ideal for precise application. Avoid over-oiling, as excess oil attracts dust, which can mix with the lubricant to form a paste that increases wear. Less is more, which means less of something—a smaller amount of it—can at times be better than a large amount of it.

Focus on oiling the following areas:

The pivots of all wheels and the anchor or lever arbor on both front and back plates. In clockmaking, a pivot is the slender, polished tip of a wheel or arbor (the shaft that supports and drives the wheel) that rotates within a hole or bearing in the clock’s plate. Pivots are critical components in the mechanism as they allow wheels and arbors to spin smoothly and with minimal friction.

The crutch loop where it contacts the pendulum rod. The crutch loop is a part of the clock’s crutch, a thin, typically metal component connected to the escapement mechanism. The crutch transfers the motion from the escapement to the pendulum, keeping it swinging back and forth.

The escapement pallets. The escapement regulates the release of energy from the clock’s power source (mainspring or weights) to drive the gear train and maintain the pendulum’s motion.

recoil escapement — _{Escapement pallet}

The clicks. The clicks are small, rotating components in a clock’s winding mechanism. They play a vital role in ensuring that the clock’s mainspring or weight-driven system remains securely wound and does not unwind uncontrollably.

Pulley axles on weight-driven clocks. In weight-driven clocks, the pulley axles are the central shafts around which the pulleys rotate. These pulleys are part of the weight system that powers the clock.

When to Oil

Oiling a movement without first disassembling and cleaning is not recommended unless, following a visual inspection, the mechanism is free of black oil and the pivot holes are simply dry. Otherwise, the addition of new lubricant to old will mix with the dirt and grime to form a grinding paste which acts as an abrasive, hastening pivot and pivot hole wear.

In short, if the pivots are dry and show no residue, a small amount of oil can be applied without the need for disassembly.

During servicing, ensure the mainsprings are oiled with specialized mainspring oil. Apply the oil by drizzling it along the sides of the coiled spring, allowing it to wick between the coils, and wipe away any excess.

When oiling, avoid dipping directly into the oil bottle; pour a small amount into an oil cup for easier application and to prevent contamination of the oil in the bottle.

Don’t leave the oil in a sunny window. UV rays will break down the oil and degrade its chemical structure over time. UV rays cause a process called photo-oxidation, where the oil reacts with light and oxygen. The degraded oil may become thicker, stickier, or form a residue, making it unsuitable for precise lubrication.

Cover the oil when not in use.

Routine Clock Inspection and Oiling

I inspect my clocks every 2-3 years if they run on a daily basis. If the movement is free of dust and the pivot holes are dry, I will apply fresh oil. If there is blackened oil around any pivot hole, it is time to disassemble the movement, clean it, and apply new oil once reassembled.

In the end, proper lubrication is less about how much oil you use and more about how—and when—you use it. A careful eye, a light touch, and the right product will do far more good than overzealous application. Clocks are remarkably durable when treated with respect, and with just a bit of routine attention, they will continue to keep reliable time for decades. As with most things in horology, patience and restraint are your best tools.

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August 19, 2022

How to oil your mechanical clock

Oiling your mechanical clock is an essential part of its maintenance, ensuring smooth operation and longevity. Proper lubrication reduces friction between moving parts, preventing wear and tear while keeping the movement running smoothly over time.

During the summer of 2016, my wife and I were traveling through the Muskoka area of the province of Ontario and stopped at a quaint village called Halliburton where we happened upon the only antique shop in town. There were a large number of clocks in the store that the proprietor had brought over from Ireland and each one was interesting.

Though there were plenty to choose from we settled on a Smiths Enfield Art Deco style oak cased mantel clock pictured below.

It was sold as-is and non-working, with the clerk noting that the pendulum bob was missing, which explained a lower price. However, when I got the clock home, I discovered the bob wrapped in brown paper along with the key, tucked inside the clock. After attaching the pendulum bob to the rod and a bit of adjustment, I found the correct beat, and the clock started running.

At my summer place, I do not have the necessary tools to service clocks but decided to take the movement out to oil it.

Once out of the case, I discovered that someone had oiled the movement by spraying it with an unknown lubricant. Spraying a clock with any lubricant is a bad practice. Indiscriminate oiling attracts dust and grime that will accelerate wear and eventually lead to stoppage.

Given the indiscriminate use of oil, there was no sense in operating the clock so I decided to put it aside until I got home where I could disassemble, clean, and properly service the movement.

Oiling Your Mechanical Clock

Lubrication is essential to the good running of any clock movement. Oiling a movement without first dissembling and cleaning it is normally a bad practice. The addition of new lubricant to old will mix with the dirt and grime to form a paste which acts as an abrasive that will hasten pivot and pivot hole wear.

The purpose of lubrication is to reduce wear, and applying the correct amount of oil is crucial. The only exception to this is when the oil sinks are dry— in such cases, oiling the movement without disassembling it is acceptable.

Apply only as much oil as required, a tiny drop goes a long way. Clock oil should occupy about one-half the capacity of the oil reservoir. Use an approved clock oil and a pin-type oiler to apply the oil.

Key Points Regarding Oiling

Lubricant: clock oil has the correct viscosity and has a low tendency to evaporate, spread or react adversely to various metals. Pivot oil is for pivots and spring oil is for springs; there is a difference! Clock suppliers such as Timesavers or Perrin will shave the correct oil for your clock. Do not uses household lubricants and especially WD 40 which is not a lubricant but a water dispersing agent. Synthetic oil is preferred since it retains its properties for a longer period but I work with mineral oil which is cheaper and just as effective.

When to oil: Some say that one should apply oil only after disassembling and cleaning. Others say that a clock’s service cycle might be an average of 5 years or more and oiling every two or three years without a thorough cleaning is acceptable. If there is a visible build-up of black, contaminated oily sludge in the pivot holes, a disassembly and thorough cleaning is necessary prior to oiling. A clock’s the environment will play a significant role since dusty, smoky environments contribute to accelerated wear. A sealed case will also keep out dust and lengthen the cycles between oiling.

How much oil: After oiling there should be a visible presence of oil in the oil sinks around the pivot holes. Oil running down the plates is to be avoided and is a indication that too much oil has been applied. I use a clock oiler with dispenser. Oil cup reservoirs are also very helpful as they prevent any foreign material from getting into the oil bottle when dipping with a pin type applicator. Long case clocks with larger pivot holes will require more oil than a small carriage clock.

What to oil: While looking at a clock plate (front or back) work from the top to the bottom. First and foremost are the pivot holes in the plate, then the points of contact between the pendulum and the crutch, escapement pallets faces and centre and motion works arbours. I generally do not apply lubricant to the mainsprings unless I have unwound them. Once out of the clock and assessed as to their condition and cleaned, I apply Keystone mainspring oil prior to re-installation. Do not oil the gear teeth.

This short primer on oiling your clock is not meant to be a definitive guide but will give you enough information to get you started if you have just found that mechanical clock you have always wanted.

In conclusion, a properly oiled clock, combined with regular servicing, is key to maintaining its functionality and extending its lifespan. Regular lubrication helps reduce friction between the moving parts, ensuring smooth operation and minimizing wear and tear. By performing periodic maintenance, such as cleaning and oiling, you can keep the clock running efficiently for many years, preserving both its accuracy and its value.

For more information on clock lubrication, I suggest the forum site at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors where you can find many expert opinions.

August 12, 2016

Tag: oiling a clock

Proper Clock Lubrication: Essential Tips and Techniques