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Help with Seth Thomas mantel clock

tyl

By tyl
in All Things Clocks

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tyl WRT Addict

tyl

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Well, my fault.  That is certainly bad news and I give up.

Many thanks for all the help.  If I have learned anything, it is that i actually enjoy working on these clocks and wish I was better at it.

 

Thanks again.

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nevenbekriev
nevenbekriev

There is a crack where the arrow points OP, the internal clutch of the center wheel probably is loose too

tyl
tyl

Success.  I just received the clock from across the pond where it was expertly repaired by forum member known as MikeEll.   After I so disastrously mangled the gears by failing to release the mai

AndyGSi
AndyGSi

Make sure you Patent it !!!!!!! Some may bend without heat but you should have a feel for it once you start. If you do need heat then as @watchweasol said a small torch would be best.

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AndyGSi Distinguished Member

AndyGSi

Posted
Posted
  On 2/19/2025 at 7:02 PM, tyl said:

Well, my fault.  That is certainly bad news and I give up.

Many thanks for all the help.  If I have learned anything, it is that i actually enjoy working on these clocks and wish I was better at it.

 

Thanks again.

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Where in the world are you?

tyl WRT Addict

tyl

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Atlanta, GA, USA

Just as a point of interest, how should I have released tension on the mainspring?  I just guessed and took a chance that by removing the outer shell I would find a way to do the release.  Unfortunately that was the wrong approach.  Should have asked earlier.

 

Edited by tyl
AndyGSi Distinguished Member

AndyGSi

Posted
Posted
  On 2/19/2025 at 8:52 PM, tyl said:

Atlanta, GA, USA

Just as a point of interest, how should I have released tension on the mainspring?  I just guessed and took a chance that by removing the outer shell I would find a way to do the release.  Unfortunately that was the wrong approach.  Should have asked earlier.

 

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I thought if you were UK then I'd have a look for you.

It's not as easy on these compared to a key wind but you needed to turn as if you were
winding it to loosen the click then hold out of the way while you let the power down.

Ideally it's a 2 person job so you've got better control of the wing while someone else holds the click which I think would be this.

image.png.2a7c68a486d426ae3fd400a4ff0b7f0f.png

tyl WRT Addict

tyl

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Posted (edited)

Interesting.  Need to do a search.  So heat the tooth on my electric stove burner gently and try to bend it back?  Or could I put it in a vise, heat it with a butane fireplace lighter, and try same.

Interesting.

 

Thx.

Edited by tyl
watchweasol Distinguished Member

watchweasol

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Posted

Hi well Andy, what has Tyler got to loose so better to try even if it fails. Tyl if you still like clocks after this, and no reason why not as I would think most of us have done the same . Forgetting to power down or thought you had but did not back check so take heart from that fact we have all been there believe me. That little clock although simple to most of us not so for a begginer due to its construction. Next time get a time only clock between two plates. Post us pictures and we will start again. Don’t loo feel too bad it’s all experience.  All the best WW.

Hi tyl. Best tool would be a small butane torch. And roll each tooth back with a small tube or screwdriver blade just be careful.

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AndyGSi Distinguished Member

AndyGSi

Posted
Posted
  On 2/19/2025 at 9:37 PM, RichardHarris123 said:

I have an idea for a let down tool for this type of clock. I'll post one of my superb drawings tomorrow. 

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Make sure you Patent it !!!!!!!

  On 2/19/2025 at 9:19 PM, tyl said:

Interesting.  Need to do a search.  So heat the tooth on my electric stove burner gently and try to bend it back?  Or could I put it in a vise, heat it with a butane fireplace lighter, and try same.

Interesting.

 

Thx.

Expand  

Some may bend without heat but you should have a feel for it once you start.

If you do need heat then as @watchweasol said a small torch would be best.

All my clock stuff is in storage at work along with my tubes but I'll dig something out tomorrow and post some photos.

If nothing else you'll get practice if the next clock has the odd crooked tooth.

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tomh207 Distinguished Member

tomh207

Posted
Posted
  On 2/19/2025 at 10:34 PM, tyl said:

Excellent.  Thx.

Well a tooth broke off so I guess I am toast.

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It’s possibly a long term learning opportunity. Put it aside for now and research the techniques to replace a toot/block of teach and tackle it once you maybe have a go with some scrap stuff afterwards.

 

Tom

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watchweasol Distinguished Member

watchweasol

Posted
Posted

It looked a hard task but good for trying. Do as Andy suggested, put it on the back burner practice on some more and come back to it later when you have gained a bit more experience. A very sharp learning curve but lessons learned. All the best.

oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

You wouldn't be able to sort those teeth out for starters I can see a crack in one and the others will be too week to stand the force of the spring. 

There is no tool to let this movement down. You need to have the key attached and poke a strong thin wire down where the click is and with your hand trying to wind it will release the click the wire comes into play by keeping the click away and slowly let the spring unwind.

RichardHarris123 Distinguished Member

RichardHarris123

Posted
Posted

My idea for a let down tool, is to cut slots in so wood or metal if you can machine it, to accommodate the lugs on the winder and a whole in the centre to accommodate the knob. Turn down the other end to a comfortable hand size.

Screenshot_20250220_101206_Chrome.jpg

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tomh207 Distinguished Member

tomh207

Posted
Posted
  On 2/20/2025 at 10:17 AM, RichardHarris123 said:

My idea for a let down tool, is to cut slots in so wood or metal if you can machine it, to accommodate the lugs on the winder and a whole in the centre to accommodate the knob. Turn down the other end to a comfortable hand size.

Screenshot_20250220_101206_Chrome.jpg

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Patent Pending 

MikeEll WRT Addict

MikeEll

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 2/20/2025 at 10:17 AM, RichardHarris123 said:

[...] Turn down the other end to a comfortable hand size

 

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Or just a square shaft that you can connect with an existing let-down tool.  To be honest, I'd only bother if I was servicing ones of this type regularly.  It's a simple enough task to do it manually as a one-off.  As OH says, a piece of stiff wire would be enough.  I do prefer to use the let-down tools rather than a winder;  They have less tendency to whip your fingers off if you slip 🙂

Edited by MikeEll
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tyl WRT Addict

tyl

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You guys are way over my pay grade.  I am going to rest my mind for a while and then decide what to do.

Cheers

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nevenbekriev Distinguished Member

nevenbekriev

Posted
Posted

Sorry, but no point to try to straighten all this teeth. Heating may help, but the teeth will be soft after heating. This is the first wheel after twin barrels, so the torque is big. The option is to source donor clock.

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oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted
  On 2/20/2025 at 11:20 AM, RichardHarris123 said:

I don't know if it would work, I'm waiting for someone with more experience than me to give their opinion. 

If it would work, it's my gift to horology. 

Expand  

It still wont work because you need to be able to release the click.  

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tyl WRT Addict

tyl

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Success.  I just received the clock from across the pond where it was expertly repaired by forum member known as MikeEll.  

After I so disastrously mangled the gears by failing to release the mainspring tension, this one was a goner.  With forum help I attempted to straighten out several gear teeth only completely to break off a tooth.  

Mike came to my aid and we have been working together for about two months.  

The clock is absolutely beautiful and will be passed down to my grandson as coming finally from his great, great, great uncle.  But now I intend to keep it a lot longer than originally planned.

Thank you so much Mike for your expert work and willingness to help me out.

Pic attached.  (I love this forum.)

Clock repaired.jpg

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