Clock Repair Efficiency with Ultrasonic Cleaning

In this article, I will outline the reasons for opting to use an ultrasonic cleaner in clock repair, delve into how the unit operates, and provide recommendations for those contemplating the use of an ultrasonic cleaner in their clock workshop.

What is an ultrasonic cleaner?

An ultrasonic cleaner typically resembles a rectangular tank made of stainless steel. It features a hinged or removable lid for easy access to the interior. Inside the tank, there are transducers mounted on the bottom or sides, which emit high-frequency sound waves.

The tank also includes controls such as timers and temperature settings to regulate the cleaning process. Additionally, there may be a drainage spout or valve for convenient removal of the used cleaning solution. Depending on the model, ultrasonic cleaners can vary in size from small tabletop units to large industrial machines.

An ultrasonic cleaner is used for cleaning a wide array of objects. The high-frequency pressure (sound) waves create cavitation bubbles within a liquid, generating intense agitation. This agitation exerts significant forces on contaminants adhering to various substrates such as metals, plastics, glass, rubber, and ceramics. This process is able to penetrate blind holes, cracks, and recesses, leading to remarkably rapid and efficient cleaning outcomes. It is ideal for cleaning clock parts. A clock sage I know once said, “Wait till you see how clean lantern pinions are after a cleaning’.

_{Ultrasonic cleaner by L&R} _{is rated at 3.5 liters} _{(.85 American gallons)}

Cleaning a mechanical movement’s parts before reassembling a clock movement is crucial for several reasons:

Remove Dirt and Debris: Over time, dust, dirt, and other contaminants can accumulate on the various components of a clock movement. Cleaning helps eliminate these particles, preventing potential issues and ensuring smooth operation.
Prevent Wear and Damage: Dirt and grime can act as abrasives, leading to increased friction between moving parts. This friction can cause wear and damage to components over time. Cleaning ensures that parts are free from abrasive particles, preserving their longevity.
Optimize Performance: A clean movement operates more efficiently. By removing any buildup that may hinder the free movement of gears, springs, and other components, the clock can function optimally, maintaining accurate timekeeping.
Identify Issues: Cleaning provides an opportunity to closely inspect each part. This close examination can reveal any signs of wear, damage, or misalignment that may not be apparent when parts are dirty. Identifying issues beforehand allows for timely repairs, preventing potential problems in the future.
Lubrication: Cleaning is often accompanied by the application of fresh lubrication to key components. Lubrication reduces friction between moving parts, minimizing wear and ensuring smoother operation. This step is vital for maintaining the health of the movement.

Ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight — _{Ultrasonic cleaner from Harbour Freight}

Although it is possible to clean clock movement parts by hand, an ultrasonic cleaner offers a more precise and thorough cleaning process.

The following outlines my approach to using an ultrasonic cleaner for clock servicing.

Using the ultrasonic cleaner

In the cleaner’s main tank, I pour in a pre-mix of one part Deox 007 to six parts water. Deox 007 is a biodegradable de-oxidizer and de-greaser and is my recommended solution for cleaning clock parts. While the mix is at room temperature I leave the solution in the ultrasonic machine for 10 minutes or so and use the integrated ultrasonic heater to heat the mixture. Using hot water speeds up the cleaning process, but it’s important not to make it too hot, as it can damage lacquered parts.

When cleaning multiple batches of parts, I check the water temperature to ensure it’s not too hot. If needed, I simply turn off the heater without disrupting the operation of the ultrasonic cleaner.

_{Movement plates cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner}

For heavily soiled movements, I recommend pre-cleaning with degreasing soap and water.

Typically, 15-20 minutes in the ultrasonic cleaner is enough, but timing may vary based on the machine’s power.

A mesh tray or basket might not be included with your ultrasonic cleaner. In the case of my L&R cleaner, the mesh tray was an optional accessory.

Arrange all the components in the tray or basket before placing them in the ultrasonic cleaner. Ensure as much as possible that the parts do not touch each other, and if the basket doesn’t provide enough space, consider having an additional cleaning session.

Once the parts have undergone a cycle in the ultrasonic cleaner, I inspect them to determine if an extra cycle is necessary. If not, I immerse each part in warm water to confirm the removal of any degreasing cleaner residue.

Drying is crucial to prevent rust on steel parts. After the warm bath, I lay all the parts on an absorbent paper towel, and with more paper towels I meticulously dry each part. I use a hairdryer or residual cooking oven heat (on a day my wife is baking bread) to remove moisture from lantern pinions for example.

After finishing the drying process for the clock parts, I go back to the ultrasonic cleaner. I empty the cleaning solution from the device and proceed to clean the ultrasonic cleaner itself with used paper towels from the drying phase. I then store the cleaning mixture in an old vinegar container. Following each use, I assess whether to retain or discard the mixture, opting to dispose of it if it is too murky and dark. It can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

A word of caution for individuals using the heater: if there’s a distinct switch for the heater, there’s a potential risk of leaving it on when the unit is plugged in and lacks a solution in the reservoir. This poses a risk of potential damage to the heating element. Unplug the unit if it is not in use.

Other uses for the ultrasonic cleaner beyond clock repair

Beyond cleaning clock parts, ultrasonic cleaners have diverse applications across various industries and tasks. Some common uses include jewelry cleaning, dental and medical instrument cleaning, automotive parts, optical and eyewear, firearm parts, laboratory equipment, metal and plastic parts, and coins and collectibles.

In Summary

Cleaning a clock movement’s parts is a fundamental step in the maintenance and restoration process. It not only improves the immediate performance of the clock but also contributes to its long-term durability and accuracy.

However, there are exceptions to using an ultrasonic cleaner for clock parts. Ammonia-based cleaners on aluminum can darken brass, and caution is warranted. Avoid putting floating balance escapements and hairsprings in the ultrasonic cleaner as they might be damaged. Old hammered brass movements are best cleaned by hand to avoid potential damage.

An ultrasonic cleaner is a handy piece of equipment to have around the shop.

Authors Note

If a premium unit like the L&R cleaner is beyond your budget, numerous alternatives are available on online retail platforms for you to consider. The most cost-effective alternative is a used machine which can be found online but try to avoid low-cost and low-power jewelry cleaners that have small reservoirs.

The price of the L&R Q-140 has significantly increased over the past five years. When I purchased mine four years ago, it was around $600. However, I’ve noticed that it now costs upwards of $1160, a dramatic rise. Despite my satisfaction with the purchase, such a steep price would make me think twice today. If I were to make the choice again, I would probably opt for a less expensive Chinese-made cleaner and take the chance that it will last.

March 12, 2024

Wag on a wall – servicing a well engineered movement

This wall clock was gifted to me in the spring of 2022. I have no idea who made the clock, there are no markings on the case or the movement. It was likely sold by the Forestville Clock Company of Toronto in the 1960s and my guess, a Hermle movement. I could find nothing else about it online. I wrote an article in August with first impressions.

The style of the clock is a “wag on the wall”. It is a strange name but basically describes what it looks like it is doing, wagging its tail. A Wag on a wall clock is a clock with the movement enclosed in a small case with a pendulum and weights exposed.

From 1660 to about 1870, the wag-on-the-wall was a very common clock style. It is so named because the pendulum appears to wag on the wall like a dog’s tail. It is also a derivative of the English lantern clock (more closely to a converted one with a pendulum). It was eventually deemed not attractive enough to hang on the wall in many upscale homes, so wooden or glass and wooden cases were added. The long-case or grandfather clock evolved from this early wags-on-the-wall. Wooden cases were used to hide the unsightly weights and cast-iron pendulum.

The style did not disappear as many manufacturers continued making the wag-on-a-wall style clock to this day.

There were several clock assemblers operating in Canada up to the mid-1970s, and it was likely imported and assembled by the Forestville Clock Company of Toronto.

It is a rack and snail movement possibly made by Hermle. The second wheel teeth are larger than one would expect so, a lot of thought went into the design of this movement. I have worked on similar movements in the past though this one is a bit different, specifically the arrangement of the hammer assembly, one main wheel is the reverse of the other, and of course, it is a weight-driven time and strike clock.

Based on my initial observations the movement looks fairly clean despite the tarnished brass but I am expecting minor wear issues commensurate with a 60-year-old mechanical clock.

Disassembly

I took a number of photos prior to disassembly. This is my regular practice and although I have worked on many similar movements though there are always minor intricacies that differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.

To remove the movement from its case, two slotted screws holding the movement to the seat board are released plus, the weight chains must be pulled out. To release the chains the weight hooks must be removed.

The rack and snail assembly, minute wheel, hammer assembly, escapement, and pendulum leader were removed initially and placed in a collection tray. What remained were the wheels and the lifting lever between the plates secured by four pillar nuts.

The gathering pallet arbour and the main arbour are pressure fit. So, when I separated the plates most of the wheels fell out, of course. It can be a challenge for first-time clock repairers but when one works on a few there is a certain logic to the placement and orientation of the wheels.

Assessment of the movement

Because there was generally little wear, I made three decisions. I elected not to separate the central arbour and did not pull the gathering pallet from its arbour. As a result, the plate with two arbours attached was placed in the ultrasonic. I did not disassemble the main wheels which were held together with pressure washers. The main wheel ratchets and chain teeth are in very good condition and the ratchet assembly worked as it should and there was no need to take them apart.

I cleaned up residual oil and dirt around the pivot holes, removed excess oil from the pates, inspected the pivots for wear, and placed all parts in the ultrasonic cleaner. Since I was using a smaller machine than my regular US cleaner, the parts were cleaned in three batches which took a little longer.

_{Older, less efficient ultrasonic cleaner}

I took special care drying the main wheels assemblies and ensured they were operating correctly after they were completely free of any moisture

My wife’s hair dryer came in handy but after cleaning and drying all the parts it fell off the table and broke. Sigh!

The pivots, which are in very good condition, are polished, the pivot holes pegged out and the next step is bushing work. Two bushings are required, the second wheel front plate and the centre wheel, back plate. There is minor wear on those two holes but why not address them while the movement is apart.

Reassembly

As with many rack and snail movements, most adjustments are made after the wheels are installed within the plates but three minor adjustments make the job easier and that is ensuring the gathering pallet is free of the rack, the stop wheel is in the 12 o’clock position and the hammer actuators are free of the star wheel. They must be between the star tips, if not, one of the hammers will catch on a star tip and stall the strike.

Testing

Once fully assembled the next step is installing the chains, weights, pendulum, and testing/adjustment. A small adjustment to the height of the pallets was made after which the clock ran well and continued to run well after 5 days. It is keeping very good time, as expected of a weight-driven movement as any clock that is powered by weights releases its power uniformly through its rated cycle.

Yes, it is a very plain-looking clock that reflects the style of the time (the 1960s) but it might grow on me.

September 5, 2022

The ultrasonic cleaner – is it essential for clock repair?

In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19

Is the ultrasonic cleaner indispensable for clock repair? The short answer is “no”. I know many in clock repair who hand clean clock movement parts, have had good success over the years and are not about to change their ways.

In my view, there are so many advantages to having an ultrasonic cleaner you will wonder why you did not have one in the first place. Indeed, these are many reasons why the ultrasonic cleaning system is widely used across many different industries.

Follow me as I explain why the ultrasonic cleaner can help you with the cleaning of most clock movements.

What is an ultrasonic cleaner?

An ultrasonic cleaner is a machine that comes in various sizes and used to clean many things. Ultrasonic cleaning uses cavitation bubbles induced by high-frequency pressure (sound) waves to agitate a liquid. The agitation produces high forces on contaminants adhering to substrates like metals, plastics, glass, rubber, and ceramics. This action also penetrates blind holes, cracks, and recesses.

The result is very fast and effective cleaning.

What to clean and what cleaner to use

Most brass and steel clock parts can be cleaned. Leave out leather hammers and any specific items you do not want to be exposed to a liquid. Although plain water does work, whenever possible, it is best to use a water-based detergent in the ultrasonic cleaning process. Water-based solvents are nontoxic, nonflammable, and environmentally friendly. In the absence of commercial water-based detergents, a few drops of Dawn will do.

What not to put in an Ultrasonic cleaner

Never use any kind of flammable liquid in an ultrasonic cleaner; it is plainly dangerous. Liquids with relatively low vapour pressure (ie. lower boiling points) may nebulize or convert to a small spray when exposed to cavitation in an ultrasonic bath. This means tiny mist-like droplets will be dispersed into the air, somewhat akin to an ultrasonic humidifier. These droplets combine with air to create a perfect storm for combustion. This includes flammable liquids in sealed plastic or open bags or containers, glass etc..

As a general rule, there is no safe way to use flammable liquids in any stage of clock repair. Avoid flammable liquids altogether in an ultrasonic or even when cleaning by hand.

L & R is a reputable brand; this one has a drain and a heater

Ultrasonic cleaning works

I use an ultrasonic cleaner when I clean most clock movements because of the precision and thoroughness of the process. There is nothing I know of that cleans lantern pinions better than an ultrasonic cleaner.

In the main tank, I use hot water with Deox 007 mixed with water. Deox 007 is a biodegradable, non-toxic, mildly acidic, de-oxidizer and de-greaser which has a slightly slippery feel, meaning the surface tension is low and will transmit sound easily. Using hot water also speeds up the degassing process. If your ultrasonic cleaner has a heater, use it. Note that water/liquid which is too hot will strip lacquered parts.

If the movement is particularly dirty, a pre-cleaning with degreasing soap (dish detergent) and water is recommended.

Generally, a 15-20 minute time period is all that is required to thoroughly clean a dis-assembled movement. Machines have various output powers so timing may have to be a bit of an experiment for your particular machine.

Dial removed showing time and strike movement in as-found condition

Clock parts must be rinsed in a bath after a period of time in the ultrasonic, so the “dirt” in the solution is not a big concern. I wash dishes by hand and by the end of the task the water in the sink is sometimes pretty nasty, that’s why rinsing dishes is important. The bath can be simply warm water or a special rinsing solution. I use two bathes of warm water.

After cleaning in an ultrasonic cleaner; the difference is noteworthy

The drying phase is critically important. All parts must be dried immediately after the cleaning and rinsing process. Rust forms very quickly on steel parts. I use either a hairdryer or time my wife’s baking and leave the parts in the residual heat of the oven, usually for about half an hour or so.

Methods may differ but I take the liquid out of the ultrasonic cleaner after each use and store it in a plastic jug. I have a fairly small US so when the liquid gets too dirty I filter it through some coffee filters. And by dirty, I mean a very dark brown. When I perceive that it isn’t cleaning effectively I just dump the liquid and refill. Since the cleaning liquid is biodegradable I pitch it on the back lawn.

Exceptions to the rule

Aluminum parts with ammonia-based cleaners will turn brass dark. Personally, I feel ammonia can be harmful to both brass and humans and I would be very careful. The ammonia combined with the overcleaning of the ultrasonic and the wrong solvent will start by differentially dissolving the zinc from the surface of the brass leaving a washed-out pitted surface. However, having said that, if you research ammonia on clock forum sites it’s still not clear who is right on the issue.

I would also not put floating balance escapements or hairsprings in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Old hammered brass movements are much more fragile and sensitive to both chemicals (ammonia especially) and the impact of ultrasonic cleaning. Since old brass, which is very porous, does not take kindly to being placed in an ultrasonic cleaner this 175-year-old English bell strike, for example, was cleaned entirely by hand.

Scottish tall case clock with English bell strike movement

Final thoughts

Can you get by without an ultrasonic cleaner? Absolutely! However, unlike other tools in your clock repair arsenal, the ultrasonic cleaner is one that not only will save valuable time but may produce spectacular results.

Although an ultrasonic cleaner is a labour-saving device, it is not a panacea. It will make things clean, but it won’t make everything look like new. If the metal is very tarnished, nothing that I know of will remove that oxidation, aside from fine abrasives.

If your budget allows, It is worth spending money on an ultrasonic cleaner.

April 30, 2020

The ultrasonic cleaner – an essential cleaning tool for clock repair

The ultrasonic cleaner is an essential tool for clock repair. Yes, you can get along just fine without one but if you have some spare cash you will not be disappointed.

Ultrasonic cleaning machines are used by a wide variety of professionals where cleanliness is of paramount concern. They are used in many industries including Dental/Medical, Industrial, Firearm, Jewelry/Watch/Clock, automotive repair and so on.

For the past two years I have been struggling with a Harbor Freight “special”, a light duty machine that does a less than average job of cleaning clock parts. It was inexpensive and I thought it was all I needed. Now I am done with it. It was frustrating to use, the cleaning cycle was a short 6 minutes, the heater produced lukewarm water, there was no drain, the basket was made of plastic and at the end of the day it did a poor job of cleaning clock parts. It was time for a replacement.

My research included visiting manufacturers websites, looking at a myriad of models on on eBay and Amazon and seeking the opinions of clock enthusiasts on Facebook and the NAWCC forum site. There are a plethora of Chinese made machines at very attractive prices. They offer powerful heaters, large basket capacity and the ability to drain the solution from the tank. I have no idea of the reputation of these companies and I could have just as well bought a machine which would fail on delivery or fail in 6 months to a year. I would then be faced with spending another few hundred dollars to replace it. I also dreaded the thought of chasing after a Chinese company for warranty work.

I found L&R Ultrasonics. They have been making commercial quality ultrasonic cleaners for a number of years. They offer a range of sizes. I chose one near the bottom of the line, the Q140. The Q140 is approximately 10 inches long by 6 1/2 inches wide by 8 1/2 inches deep. It has a .85 gallons capacity (3.2L). It has a heater, a mechanical timer that sounds like an egg timer, a drain and it operates at 43kHz. It is made in the USA and costs twice as much as a comparable Chinese cleaner. It is a robust, well made machine backed by a 2 1/2 year warranty and something that should give me piece of mind for many years. A little money can be saved by buying an ultrasonic cleaner without a heater and preheating your solution in a microwave oven but the heater is a nice bonus.

One negative, it did not come with a stainless steel wire basket which I had to purchase separately from another supplier. The L&R basket was over CDN200! For a fifth of the price I opted for an after market stainless steel mesh basket by Cambridge Time that is designed to fit the Q140.

Enough room for clock plates and the gears — Enough room for Gilbert time and strike plates plus the gears

Back of unit showing fuse, drain hose and clip for plastic hose — Back of unit showing fuse, drain hose and clip for plastic drain hose

Overall, it is well designed, quiet (reasonably), portable, simple to use and well constructed. It uses a basic 60 minute mechanical timer and a simple on-off switch for the heater. One downside is that it is smallish and will accommodate only one movement.

Can you get along without one? Yes, but it makes life so much easier.

November 6, 2018

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this: