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Old Time Clock Shop

1946 W. 13th St.

Wichita KS 67203

(316) 267-1925

Old Time Clock Shop

“Wichita’s only full time clock store”

Scott Childs’

1946 W. 13th St. N.

Wichita KS  67203

Phone: 316.267.1925

E-mail: OTCLOCK@gmail.com

“Wichita’s only full time clock store”

Scott Childs’

MEMBER

 NAWCC

“Clocks Bought, Sold, And Repaired”

Frequently Asked Questions

► How do I adjust time keeping for my clock?

                 If your clock has a pendulum, the correct way to adjust the timekeeping is to:

                                  Move the pendulum up to make the clock run faster.

                                  Move the pendulum down to make the clock run slower.

 

► My clock won’t strike the correct hour.  How can I fix it?

                 Sometimes if you let your clock run all the way down or the hands are moved incorrectly, the strike and                                   hands will not match.

If your clock is striking an hour other than what the hands say, here is how to correct it:

                                  Move the “long” hand (the “minute” hand) to the next hour

                                  Count the number of times the clock strikes

                                  Now move the “small” hand (the “hour” hand) to whatever number the clock just struck

                                                   Note: the hour hand is a press fit hand so it can be moved either forward or                                                           backward

                                  Ensure the “small” hand (the “hour” hand) is far enough back so that it will not interfere                                                    with the other hand

                                  Set your clock as you normally would by moving the “long” hand (the “minute”hand)

 

► What is the correct way to oil a clock?

                 Just like changing the oil in your automobile, your clock should be re-oiled every few years or so.  Believe it or not, there is a wrong way and a right way to oil your clock.  Please don’t use WD-40 or any similar solvent to oil your clock.  Doing so will only make the problem worse.  Also, remember that your clock has 2 sides.  Oiling only one side can do more harm than good.  The correct way to oil your clock is to completely take the clock movement (the brass mechanism) out of the case.  You may have to remove the hands and dial to access the movement.  Do not remove the  nuts that hold the actual movement together.  First, do a visual inspection of the movement and check for any wear (gear pivots that move excessively in the movement plates).  You will see small silver dots coming through the brass plates.  These are the ends of the gears (pivots).  Each place that you see a pivot, place a tiny drop of oil.  Use just enough so that it fills around the pivot, but doesn’t run out.  Do the front side and back side.  The mainsprings (large coils usually at the bottom of the movement) will also need oiling.  Your clock may have mainsprings inside a barrel, which would have to be removed in order be oiled.  The object is to allow free movement of the springs but not so much that oil drips out.  A dry mainspring usually will “slap” when it is wound.  Spin the gears a few times to let the oil penetrate the plates, then wind the clock up and test it.  The final step is to reassemble the clock and make any adjustments (such as the chime hammers and checking the “beat”).

-Recommended service intervals for newer clocks (after 1970) are every 2-3 years.

-Recommended service intervals for antique clocks are every 3-5 years.

 

► Can I oil my own clock?

                 Yes.  Oiling a clock is a fairly simple project.  Though you will have to take some parts of the clock apart to do the job right (see above).  If you’ve never owned a grandfather clock before, we recommend you let us service your clock at least the first time so you can see how the clock comes apart and goes back together.  If you are interested in purchasing clock oil, we do sell it at the shop.

 

► What’s the difference between “oiling” and “cleaning”?

                 Oiling a clock is sometimes referred to as “clock service” or “servicing a clock”.  This is a fairly minor job (similar to changing the oil in your car).  It does not involve much disassembly other than removing the clock from its case.  All moving parts are simply lubricated and the clock is put back together.  Cleaning a clock is much more involved.  This involves completely taking the clock apart, and cleaning it in a petroleum based solution.  The parts are cleaned ultrasonically to remove all the dirt and old oil.  After soaking in the cleaner, the parts are rinsed in a special clock rinse and blown off and dried.  Usually at this point the clock is “repaired,” meaning that any worn parts are replaced.  Typically the bushings of a clock are replaced (bushings are the holes in the movement where the gears stick through), and the pivots of the gears are polished.  The movement is then reassembled and thoroughly tested before being put back in the case.

 

► How can I learn how to repair clocks?

                 The “National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors” (NAWCC) holds clock repair classes both at their headquarters in Pennsylvania, and at “suitcase courses” around the country.  For more information go to www.nawcc.org

 

 

Last revised: 6/13/08