Bell Maintenance Inspection - Initial Evaluation
In this series, we delve into the intricate process of restoring a 170-year-old Scottish tall case clock, a fascinating timepiece with a rich history and unique characteristics. Purchased through an online auction, this clock came with its fair share of issues, including the need for structural work and a dull finish.
The movement of such antique clocks often presents common problems due to wear and aging of parts. After 170 years, the movement components such as arbors, pivots, and bushings commonly show wear and require rebushing, re-pivoting, or replacement. Preventing damage during cleaning and repair is crucial.
Many Scottish tall case clocks from the mid-19th century have movements, dials, and weights made in England, like this one. Servicing these English bell strike mechanisms can be unfamiliar for restorers and requires careful study of the strike mechanism and its synchronization with the time train.
Historical repairs or changes, like removing original movements or adding modern mechanisms such as synchronous drives, may complicate restoration, requiring researchers to trace original designs and carefully reinstate period authenticity.
Finding or recreating parts and finishes is another challenge. As many original parts may be missing or broken, restorers often face difficulties sourcing or making replacements that match original materials, styles, and craftsmanship.
The clock in question demonstrates these challenges. The suspension spring is incorrect thickness and fashioned from a metal ruler, causing little amplitude. The rack is bent, and at least 3 pivot holes require bushings. The bell connection is loose, and the thread for the bell rod end is stripped. The crutch rod connecting to the escape wheel arbour is loose, and the gathering pallet is worn, needing assessment.
Despite these challenges, the restoration process also offers opportunities for discovery. For instance, there is evidence of something being on either side of the crown of the clock, and the clock now boasts new top finials. The author, with experience in transporting antique clocks, shares advice for disassembling antique tall case clocks, such as starting with the weights and working upwards.
The movement of this particular clock originally had no calendar function, but the face has a calendar hand. This presents an interesting conundrum for the restorer, as it suggests that the movement may have been altered at some point in its life.
Stay tuned for the next part, where we will cover the disassembly and re-assembly of the movement, shedding light on the delicate cleaning and preservation process, and the complexities of achieving accurate escapement and strike timing.
Vintage clocks, like the antique Scottish tall case clock, often face complications during restoration due to advances in technology, such as the addition of smart-home devices or gadgets that weren't originally designed for them. These modifications can hinder the clock's proper functioning and require careful examination and restoration to preserve its historical authenticity.
In the process of serving the English bell strike mechanism in antique Scottish tall case clocks, restorers might encounter unfamiliar gear trains and synchronization issues, highlighting the importance of studying and understanding the mechanisms of technology from different eras.
