Questions

[david carlson]

I have some questions I hope somebody doesn’t mind answering.

The first picture…are those gears able to come apart? I want to clean the inside but didn’t want to force them if they are permanently together.

The second picture…what is the name of this gear? I think it has something to do with the 1/2 strike? One of the little “tabs” broke off so I need to replace it.

The next 2 pictures are of what I found when I took the clock apart. There are some wires twisted around. Are these factory installed? or did somebody try and repair something?

Thanks for your help.

• This topic was modified 3 years ago by Tamas Richard.

[bernie weishapl]

The first wheel you have has to be pressed apart. Generally I clean around inside by hand and use some spray break cleaner with a small brush to get rid of grease, oil and gunk. Both wheels are pressed on the shaft. If you do use a press to separate them make sure you have measurements as to where they go when you press them back on. This is the great wheel and count wheel for the strike. The second wheel you have is the strike wheel. It raises the hammer to strike the gong. It needs two tabs to lift the hammer for the correct count. The one that is broke off you will have to replace it. I generally make a pin and tix solder it in place. I am sure others will chime in that are better with computers/pictures and also give you other ideas. Maybe William will make a video on how to do this. 😆

On the rest of the clock I would use a dremel tool with a wire brush wheel to clean off a lot of the rust and gunk. Put the wheels in a lathe and polish the pivots to a mirror shine.

[willofiam]

To add to Bernies response, yes the wires wrapped around those arbors are supposed to be there. They are “return springs” for the hammers, locking lever, count lever ect…
@Sisu1223 wrote:

are those gears able to come apart?

The way I always look at it is that at one time someone had to put it together, so yes they can come apart. Be careful though to plan ahead and make sure your able to either repair or make parts since disassembly could possible ruin something. Like Bernie, I leave them together for cleaning.
@Bernie Weishapl wrote:

Maybe William will make a video on how to do this.

Thats a great idea Bernie, though I have not had to repair one of these tabs I will keep it in mind for the future. Have a great day, William

[david carlson]

Thanks for the replies, that is a big help. I think I will leave it together, don’t want to mess it up.

[dave booth]

A general rule of thumb with clocks (especially American ones with pressed, as opposed to machined, wheels) is if the parts are pressed together, don’t try to separate them. Usually, after they are pressed, the center is “staked” (riveted or peened), and pressing them apart destroys that. On reassembly, you discover that the part is no longer a tight fit.

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