Anyone interested in Clock Making?

[Bigfoot]

This is mainly for Aussie members , Sydney Clockmakers Society are looking for new members interested in learning how to make clocks. If you're interested in electric , electromechanical or purely mechanical clocks , this is a worthwhile group.   There's nothing being sold here , it's not commercial, it's a physical attendance group where we meet face to face.  If you are interested then see sydneyclockmakers.com

Many of us have CNC equipment and extensive knowledge of parts manufacturing for just about every aspect of clocks and watches. There are interstate members who visit occasionally or touch base through video conference.

You can contact me for more details or visit the site mentioned above.

Cheers,
Peter.

[kite31]

I will not be making any clocks but... I have a mantel clock from the mid-19th century (1863 on the plaque), using a recognised French movement I am told. When working it had a really lovely chime, but after being transported from Sydney to inland to the coast to the mountains (such as Australia has) and back inland it will run only for 5-10 minutes before giving up. It was repaired locally, with a part replaced from France, but to no long-term avail and that gentleman is now fully retired.

The case is slate, and has a plaque affixed noting the gift of it and a bag of gold coins (alas, someone spent those in the last 150+ years) when said ancestor departed his job to migrate to Australia.

I am seeking an expert and completely reliable clock maker / repairer. I would like to have it operational again. I am located in Canberra. Suggestions there, in the region or in Sydney appreciated.

[Bigfoot]

Interesting...I do repair clocks and you'll probably realise that clockmakers / repairers are falling off the perch rapidly.  If you find a repairer it's likely you're in for a very long wait for service.  I can recommend Little & Son https://littleandson.wordpress.com/  in Canberra. Roger Little was a member of SCS and friend of mine but he passed away in 2024 . His son Matthew has carried on the business so try him although he will no doubt be run off his feet. 

With French clocks  (Pendule de Paris round plates) they are very finely made and fussy in positioning. What you should first try is leveling it which is 80% of problems with clocks. Many owners don't realise this but listen for the tick tock sound of the escapement. It should be even and regular.  I have seen so many clocks on shelves and cabinets (and hanging on walls) out of level, they can run for 2 minutes or 2 days depending on how far out of beat they are.  Lift one side of the clock slightly to test the beat , if it sounds worse lift the other side. You can generally determine how far out it is, check the level of the surface it is sitting on (prop it up with cardboard to test it).  The fix is to either rotate the movement in the case very slightly until the beat is even, two screws at the back clamp it in.  Some clocks will have a beat adjustment screw connected to the crutch inside the clock , some will allow the crutch to be rotated on it's arbor (friction fit) . Repairers will do this as part of the service but they cannot account for the level of the position the clock will live. The part that was replaced was most likely the suspension spring which the pendulum hangs from, these are easily broken in transport so the pendulum should always be removed.  The bells are very fragile, be careful with that.

I don't recommend transporting slate or marble cased clocks , what a nightmare.  Short trips to a repairer well packaged in a box and driven by you OK. Also if your clock has a statue or figure(s) on top , never lift it by that as the inner plaster lining of the case (most have one) chips and falls into the movement .  The other more significant problems with these clocks is broken parts, worn out mainsprings and general dirt and grime which necessitates a clean and service . Parts have to be made and this gets expensive.  Be prepared for a significant bill.    Good luck with it.

[kite31]

Thank you Bigfoot. The clock has definitely been cleaned. I am familiar with the need to set it horizontal but will check it again, this time with a 3-axis laser. Sitting where it is, the clock shows a 0.1° tilt according to a Wixy on top, matching the measure of the shelf (base of a wall recess) where it sits. Apart from being slate (no ornament on top) it has a block of concrete in the base! This means it is pretty heavy and of course the rear is wholly inaccessible when it is in place. When my wrist finishes healing I will tackle making sure it is horizontal.

These words are outside my clock knowledge:

a beat adjustment screw connected to the crutch inside the clock

Where or what is the crutch please? The adjustment I have seen is at the top of the pendulum, to tune its length for the right pace.

I shall get in touch with Matthew if there is no immediate fix.

[Bigfoot]

The crutch is a fork where the pendulum rod sits in. You'll notice the pendulum is not directly connected to the clock gearing or wheel train. The fork transfers power to the pendulum and gives it the push. There should be a small gap between fork tines and the pendulum rod so the pendulum has freedom. The crutch goes up to the top and is fixed to the "escape arbor" which is then interacting with the wheel train. The pendulum is connected to a "suspension block" at the top by a thin flat spring. If this spring is broken the clock wont run. Check this too. They  usually have two leaves with a gap between and joined by two pieces of brass top and bottom. The spring passes between a brass slit that can be adjusted with a small key above 12O'clock on the front.  Another tip, if you take the pendulum off when the clock is level and in beat the crutch will tick rapidly if the clock is wound. I will often test a clock for "she's a runner" this way, you can lift the clock left and right to see which way it needs to go. If this happens then the clock would only need a clean and oil.

Now the beat adjustment screw is a luxury and not all mass produced clocks have them.  It's recommended to let an experienced clock repairer adjust the beat the following way  as they will often simply bend the crutch rod to get it in beat.  Check to see if your clock has leveling feet , many do. 

See picture, I've lifted a pic off the net and annotated it.  Now this is a "count wheel strike" your's might be a rack strike and will look different at the back but similar.  You'll see the crutch, the pendulum must be in the fork slot (pendulum missing in the picture).  This clock would be set in beat at the factory by adjusting the pallets on the arbor when out of the clock (or by clock repairer). They are friction fit and move with a bit of force . They are connected to the crutch or basically the crutch is mounted on the back of the pallet arbor which does the ticking.

So check your pendulum suspension spring is not broken.
Check the pendulum is actually hooked onto the bottom of the spring
Check the pendulum is in the crutch fork slot
Ensure the pendulum is not fouling anything
check the clock is wound
give the pendulum a slight push. Listen to the beat - tick , tock , tick , tock  not tick tick , tick tick like it's galloping. Failing that Mathew would sort it out.

Any of those problems will stop the clock. It sounds like your shelf is level, they are heavy clocks.

 I've repaired many of those types. The two most interesting a black slate clock imported into Aus after WWII by the owner , the last service was scratched into the rear plate with date 1942 and  clockmakers initials with a swastika gouged next to it, it almost needed two people to lift it and yes very painful to keep moving around when servicing.  The other a very large porcelain gilt egg with a missing pendulum . I could barely get my hand inside to work on it. The correct length pendulum would not fit inside , too long, what a mystery. I figure it was a compound pendulum meaning a small bob at the top , counterpoised with the bottom. The other theory was that the movement was not original to the clock and I've not had two clocks with the same length pendulum but the compound pendulum worked.

[kite31]

OK, I have seen those elements when looking at it previously, and I will make those checks. Matthew's web site is unpromising, no update since his father died and a suggestion the workshop is closed. I shall try the e-mail address there.

Thank you for your informative replies.