Traditional shellac may provide the ideal finish for your antique clock

Traditional shellac may provide the ideal finish you are looking for when deciding whether or not to finish that newly acquired antique clock. A modern polyurethane finish is not a substitute for traditional shellac. Polyurethane is tough and easy to work with but not reversible. Unfortunately, many people resort to using modern finishes on antique … More Traditional shellac may provide the ideal finish for your antique clock

Rate this:

Dating a Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik (HAU) shelf clock

During the Christmas season, we split our time between Calgary, Alberta, and Ottawa, Ontario to see our 2 daughters. While in Calgary my wife spotted an interesting item on an Ottawa Facebook Marketplace, an English time and strike clock. She showed me the photo and I said, “that does not look like any English clock … More Dating a Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik (HAU) shelf clock

Rate this:

Fleet Time replacement movement needed – calling all clock parts collectors

This Fleet Time mantel clock is a generic mantel clock with a walnut finish, flat front, a slightly domed top, and step-side features. Simple but attractive. Fleet assembled clocks sourced from German parts in the Montreal area for 4 years prior to WWII. While the case looks great after refinishing, I was oh so close … More Fleet Time replacement movement needed – calling all clock parts collectors

Rate this:

A custom test stand for weight driven ogee style clocks

A few weeks back I published an article on clock testing stands. While a single clock stand would be ideal for all movement testing purposes there are so many different types and styles of movements that one size does not fit all. The one stand I was missing was for testing weight-driven ogee style clocks … More A custom test stand for weight driven ogee style clocks

Rate this:

Traditional shellac improves the appearance of an ogee clock case

This Chauncey Jerome 30-hour or one-day clock from about 1844-1845 is the example that I am using to illustrate the advantages of using traditional shellac as a finish coat. The mahogany veneer is in very good condition and it is evident that the clock was not subject to the abuse one would expect of a … More Traditional shellac improves the appearance of an ogee clock case

Rate this:

Veneer repairs on an 8-day Seth Thomas column and cornice clock

This 8-day Seth Thomas column and cornice time and strike shelf clock with sleigh front needed a little love. It has a Plymouth Lyre movement with a Thomaston Conn. label. The clock was made in the 1870s. and purchased five years ago and has been running since. I will take you through my early days … More Veneer repairs on an 8-day Seth Thomas column and cornice clock

Rate this:

Chauncey Jerome 30-hour movement – two unusual issues during servicing

I was not really looking for an ogee clock to add to my collection. But there it was sitting in a lonely corner of an antique shop calling me, “buy me”; and I did. It is probably the oldest one in my collection of 4 other ogee clocks. It was made in or about 1845. … More Chauncey Jerome 30-hour movement – two unusual issues during servicing

Rate this:

Over 108,000 views so far this year – thank you

Thank you, viewers and subscribers. It is always a thrill to reach a milestone. Six years ago I attended a WordPress workshop and after the instructor assisted us in setting up a rudimentary site, I thought, I can do this. I can talk about clocks! WordPress 101 certainly made it sound so easy but it … More Over 108,000 views so far this year – thank you

Rate this:

Gilbert shelf clock

I am always on the lookout for clocks to add to my collection, and one of the places where bargains can often be found is Facebook Marketplace. While browsing the listings, we came across an intriguing clock from a small village in Quebec. It was my wife who pointed it out, thinking it would make … More Gilbert shelf clock

Rate this:

Tick Talk Tuesday #36 – a tall case clock is transformed

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face or a clock you would like me to profile or my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #36 – a tall case clock is transformed

Rate this:

Fleet Time mantel clock – Mainspring damage

The Fleet Time Co. was a short-lived Canadian clock company that operated between the years 1936 and 1940 producing a range of two and three-train mantel clocks with movements sourced from Germany. All clocks had pendulums and were spring-driven. According to the Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ontario, the company was listed as an … More Fleet Time mantel clock – Mainspring damage

Rate this:

Tick Talk Tuesday #34 – what is a HHSN clock?

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face, a clock you would like me to profile, my advice on your particular clock concern or a general clock question. For those comments and questions that stump even me, … More Tick Talk Tuesday #34 – what is a HHSN clock?

Rate this:

Door catch repair on a Gilbert Model 2038 mantel clock

This is the model 2038 with a bim-bam strike or what Gilbert called a Normandy Chime in its sales catalog. The model number along with the words “Normandy Chime” are stamped on the bottom of the case. The “Normandy Chime” was reminiscent of the old bells of Normandy (Corneville) in France. In terms of nomenclature … More Door catch repair on a Gilbert Model 2038 mantel clock

Rate this: