Cleaning solutiion

[disciple_dan]

Hello, Wiliam. I’m trying to upload some photos. Here goes.
Well, that didn’t work. All my pics are too large and I don’t have photo shop. I”ll keep trying.

[disciple_dan]

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Tamas Richard.

[disciple_dan]

Well, I finally figured out how to post a picture of my Schatz clock that I am working on. I will try to so some more soon after my frustration level gets closer to normal. It’s been running now for about 20 minutes. I believe in is not enough end shake. I just loosened the nuts on the side near the problem arbor and it seems to be working. I’m not sure how to fix that.

[disciple_dan]

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Tamas Richard.

[disciple_dan]

I just spent about 30 minutes posting pics and typing out some info and questions and when I submitted it, it said I was not logged in and so I logged in and it was all gone. What happened to it???

[disciple_dan]

Oh well, until we get an auto save on this site I’ll just be more careful to save my work.
I’ll just post the questions for now. My question is: When setting the beat of a clock, you are actually changing the angle of the verge in relation to the pendulum rod. True or False?
Also, When setting the beat of a clock, is it best on a wire rod crutch to bend the crutch along the vertical rod or at the point where the rod changes from horizontal to vertical as you would an a verge that has a friction fit crutch?
This clock has a fixed crutch.
Thanks for your help, God bless, take care, Danny

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Tamas Richard.

[Bob Tascione]

Hey Danny,
Yeah that’s frustrating. It’s happened to most of us up here. I’m lucky I’m out of yelling range when that happens. There’s a couple of ways around it. If you find that you’ve been timed or logged out you can usually hit the ‘back’ button on your browser and it will take you back to the page. Almost always works…almost. I usually copy everything and then hit the submit button. If I get knocked off I then just paste it back into the post field. Pics are another whole issue though. If I find it’s taking a long time to write the content then I’ll usually just post the pics and then go back in and edit the post around the pics.
Answer to your question is ‘True’…I think. You’re changing the relationship between the two as you said.

Adios for now,
Bob

[rgmt79]

This thread started with a question about cleaning and I’d like to add a comment here with some questions of my own. Firstly, Danny, Rob gives detail of the chemicals and quantities used in his excellent clock repair videos, but to save you the trouble I can tell you it’s 4oz Acetone; 4oz Oleic Acid; 4oz TSP or dish soap; 1 gal water; 8oz Ammonia Hydroxide. For the final rinse Isopropyl Alcohol (commercial) 99%. Of course this is all quite toxic and would require a well ventilated area. I live in an apartment and do not have an ideal space for that, so I’ve been looking at a non toxic or ‘green’ alternative and came across this cleaning kit http://www.horogrene.com …has anyone used this and if so any comments as to its effectiveness? Also, this may seem a silly question, but how can you tell if the brass components have been lacquered or not?
Thanks, Richard

[disciple_dan]

Hello Bob, thanks for the comment. I’ll be more watchful in the future. I thought I was logged on at the time. I’ll do like you say and copy before submitting it.
Thanks for the answer too. Kind of a silly question. I guess the better question would be where to change the angle. I read somewhere that you should always bend the crutch on the vertical down rod. I wish I could remember where so I could send a link. After having worked on several clocks of different designs, I would think you should adjust the crutch at the point where it exits the back plate in the horizontal position and turns vertical. I am brand new at this and I want to learn the correct way first.
If anyone has an opinion on this I would be glad to hear it.
Thanks a bunch. God bless, take care, Danny

[disciple_dan]

Hey, thanks, Richard. I have found and used Bob’s recipe and it is very effective and also very toxic. I tried it in my clock shop first and it was quickly evident it was not ventilated well enough. I have plenty of room out in my wood shop so I just carry my clean machine outside and it’s good.
As for the Lacquer, With my limited experience, I can only tell you what I have read. If the brass is still somewhat shinnied then it is most likely lacquered. When it is just brass it will probably be tarnished. Like I say, I’m not schooled enough to be sure. Maybe someone else will chime in.
Thanks again for your comment Richard, God bless, take care, Danny

[disciple_dan]

Hey, Ya’ll. I verified that it is an end shake problem with my Schatz cuckoo. I was reading some post on the NAWCC forum and someone mentioned how he had seen problems with these clock plates because they are a bit thin and use a lot of weight. I took the clock apart today and the front plate is bent in. It seems to be worse at the bird’s beak. Is there a proper way to bend it back to good? Or do I just need to be careful?
Thanks, guys. Your comments have helped me keep trying until I found the solution.
God bless, take care, Danny.

[bernie weishapl]

It will go away. As to your problem I have found at times to lay the plates on a flat surface to see if it is warped anywhere. On all Cuckoo clock movements I do this and will save you some headaches. The reason I say that is it looks like on on pivot it has been dimpled with a punch instead of bushing it properly which tells me they didn’t tear the clock down. That can cause problems for sure. It doesn’t take much of a warp to cause no end shake. I always also take a screw driver and lay the movement flat so the wheels are pointed up then lift the wheels to see if there is end shake. If not I am guessing the plate right there has been warped. I see this alot when someone works on them and doesn’t do it properly. Just some things to check.

[stevefitzwater]

RIchard- I use the same cleaning solution as Bernie, Zip Cleaner, you can find in the cleaning aisle at your local Lowes, it has a slight smell but not bad. I dilute it according to the suggested ratio.

Lacquered plates normally look like a new polished brass plate

[willofiam]

Hey Danny, been running here lately, looks like your learning alot and on your way to success.
@disciple_dan wrote:

Also, When setting the beat of a clock, is it best on a wire rod crutch to bend the crutch along the vertical rod or at the point where the rod changes from horizontal to vertical as you would an a verge that has a friction fit crutch?

I believe the design is to bend it along the longest vertical part of the rod for ease of making that adjustment to put it in beat. Have fun, William

[disciple_dan]

William, Thanks for the encouragement. I need it at this very minute.I thought I had it working after I fixed my end shake problem but when I put it back together it has a runaway strike and it won’t run but a minute and gets hung on a tooth. I won’t give up, i”ll just take it slower. Thanks again. Danny

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