Between keeping that '64 Imperial on the road, and maintaining your clock
collection, how do you find time to go surfing?
Patrick is absolutely correct about the best way to service the car clock. I
might add that the hair-spring found in the escapement of most movements is
VERY delicate. It should not come into contact with any fingers, fluids, or
tools unless you are a trained Horologist.
Adding oil of any kind to a dirty mechanism is like adding "fuel to the fire".
Dirt and oil create a grinding compound that will wear out what is left of the
clock in short order. Ultrasonic cleaning is the best, but unfortunately most
folks don't have ready access to such machines. The cheapest one I have seen
from any clock supply/material house is about $400.00.
To add to our troubles, most clock shops laugh when presented with an old car
clock from the '60s. They are cheaply made and not really able to be re-bushed.
I did find one shop, though, that would run the movement through the cleaning
process correctly, and oil it up (if not too loose) just as Patrick describes.
My hobby progressed from cars to clocks, and back to cars again. Clocks are
smaller and easier to store, but cars are bigger and easier to see.
Paul
In a message dated 5/22/2004 11:48:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time, SFSurfDude
writes:
> Hello all...
>
> I have made a clock repairs as a hobby of mine for a few years now. Also my
>collection of repaired clock's numbers about 300 or so. I was taught a lot
>about the skill from an elderly repairman in Berkeley, Ca. One of his first
>lessons to me was to discontinue the use of carburetor cleaner and WD-40.
> Especially, WD-40... The fragile springs in the clocks mechanism will almost
>certainly fail and or gum up within weeks with its use. It was suggested to me
>to use sewing machine oil, the clear kind used with industrial sewing
>machines. I buy it by the gallon for my machine, it last me a few years. The
>best kind is the clear oil that tailors use while sewing wedding dresses or
>delicate materials that the other oil will stain potentially during a sewing
>process.
> OT-Industrial sewing machines have a reservoir below the "head" which holds
>about a half a quart of this oil.
> To apply such an oil to any clocks mechanism a fine wire or needle should be
>used to reach small areas which move. The cleaning portion can be done safely
>with ultrasonic cleaner, pivots can be lubricated as well as front and back
>plates. Keep oil away from the spring on the escape pinion and pallet (the
>part that moves the fastest and ticks).
> Most imperial clocks are only repairable to a degree that I have had so far
>(4 total)
> Frankly, I would suggest doing what I am attempting which is looking for a
>NOS clock. I located one on Ebay but haven't paid the auction and its been 2
>months, my high bid was 46.00. Not too bad.
> With all that in mind, on a personal note. I don't wear a watch and its
>unfortunate but Im always late to any
> destination. Someday I will have to pay more attention to time.
>
> Regards,
> Patrick Williams
> High Desert, Southern California $2.50 per gallon
> 65 Ford F 350 Super Duty Dually
> 64 Chrysler Imperial Crown Coupe
> 64 Chrysler Imperial 4 door
> 79 MGB Roadster
> 89 Ford Ranger
> 86 BMW 325es
> Ford 9n
>
>
>
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