Once again, keeping time
Well, my brother’s clock (from my paternal grandmother) is once again keeping time. When I first received the clock, it was obviously not working. I removed the pendulum and the clock immediately started to click away at a fast pace. Anyone hearing it would think I had a time bomb from one of the ”Pink Panther” movie or “Get Smart“. Well, I let managed to trick the clock into running down both the time and chime springs. Once that was done, I removed the clock train from the case to get a better look.
It was pretty clear the clock was “workable” but was gunked up from too much oil and dust. I went to the local automotive short and bought a can of brake cleaner and a small bottle of 3-in-1. I wetted the entire train with the brake cleaner and then started blasting it clean. It took about half the can but I ended with the train being free of all oil, grease, dust, and dirt. Of course, now it was also void of any lubrication. I preceded to add a drop of 3-in-1 to each friction point. I started the clock and after about three rounds of it stopping for imbalance, friction, or just being a PITA, it started running in earnest.
I reassembled the clock and balanced it for the mantle. It is now running nicely. The last step is to adjust it for accurate time but turning the knurl at the bottom of the pendulum.
Next time I am across the bay, I will return it to it’s rightful home. In the mean time, it is keeping company with the rest of the mechanical time pieces at my Eastern Shore residence.
I like the simplicity of this clock but the “bell” strike is a bit harsh for my taste. I prefer the coil chime of my maternal grandmother’s clock. I thin my next project will be a true ship’s clock - one that strikes “4 bells”.
