Time Clock for Fleet Services - managing smooth operations and subsequent catastrophes
In a disappointing turn of events, a Fleet Time mantel clock restoration project has encountered a significant setback. The movement, which was installed in the beautifully reconditioned case before the issue occurred, has proven to be non-functional.
The mainspring break has caused damage to the barrel and the second wheel, specifically breaking one leaf of the second wheel pinion. This damage has rendered the movement non-operational, making it the most disappointing part of the project.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the clock requires repair or replacement of the barrel and second wheel. Sourcing a 60 tooth barrel that is the exact height and depth would be a challenge, as there is no specific information available regarding common issues and repair methods for a Fleet Time mantel clock movement.
However, general practices for repairing mantel clock movements can be applied. Common issues include worn bushings, broken or corroded springs, and incorrect hand alignments. In this case, two troubling issues were discovered during the servicing of the movement: the escape wheel was a fair distance along the arbour from its correct position, and there was an erratic beat during the testing phase of the time side.
Repair methods for mantel clock movements often involve replacing worn bushings, cleaning or replacing broken or corroded springs, and correcting hand alignments. In this situation, bushings on the strike side were mostly installed, with four of six on the backplate and one on the front plate, strike side, and the two on the time side were on the second wheel.
As a solution, a donor movement is being planned to be located. The friend who collects movements that are used as donors for situations like this has advised that fixing the barrel teeth and leaf pinion is usually not worth it due to the time-consuming process.
The clock, which features a walnut finish, flat front, domed top, and step-side features on corner feet, will undergo further refinishing. The bezel will be attached, the dial or replacement dial will be cleaned-up, new glass will be installed, and the movement will be serviced once a suitable donor movement is found.
Despite the setback, the clock case has come out better than expected, with the dial and broken glass being replaced with one from a Blackforest clock from the same period. The case has been stripped, finished, and polished to enhance its overall appearance.
This sad end to an otherwise satisfying servicing serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in restoring antique clocks. It also underscores the importance of consulting a professional clockmaker or referencing specialized clock repair literature when dealing with specific issues not covered in general repair guides.
The maintenance team is now seeking a donor movement to replace the non-functional one in the vintage Fleet Time mantel clock, as repairing the damaged barrel and second wheel might be too time-consuming. To ensure the clock's proper functioning, they need to address issues such as the escape wheel being misaligned and an erratic beat during testing, which are common in mantel clock movements.
In light of this setback, the importance of leveraging data-and-cloud-computing technology and consulting a professional clockmaker, or referencing specialized clock repair literature, becomes even more critical when restoring antique clocks like the one in question.
