Urgos Grandfather Clock

[Folkvisor]

Hi All

I haven't been here for a while.

I'm working on an Urgos Grandfather Clock. The movement seems to be working fine but the clock isn't free-standing. It's in the middle of a China cabinet and there are no side access panels.

I am tempted to MAKE some with a chainsaw but, unfortunately, the owner doesn't like the idea. 

Does anyone have any experience with such creatures?

Dave

[oldhippy]

Photos would be nice. These are modern clocks and the movements are nothing more than strikes or chiming movements that run on weights. Have you tried sliding it out from the front? There might be screws holding the seat board in place.  

[Folkvisor]

Thank you for your answer. Yes it's a modern movement - about 30 years old.

I got it out - took almost an hour. Putting it back in will be even more of a challenge I think. It will only go out the back. I'm hoping I'll be able to fix the dial before putting it back in. 

I'm just hoping everything will line up for the chime hammers. I marked everything before removing the movement but it doesn't seem to matter much. I think it's just a kind of hit and miss thing.

But after cleaning and oiling the clock works.

[oldhippy]

So I was completely wrong about it coming out from the front. Marking is a good idea, I’m sure if you are careful and avoid bending the hammer wires it will be OK.  

[Folkvisor]

I got it in and it works. It was a LOT easier when I found out it came out the front of the case!!! After doing all kinds of other crap...

Anyway, it's in and working.

But I had a nice level clock shelf for it and it is now on a floor that isn't level so...whatever...

Thank you for your comments.

[Folkvisor]

I guess I'm not very smart at times! Who knew it came out of the front. I know, I know...

[Folkvisor]

Can you recommend a good book on grandfather clocks?

[oldhippy]

Are you looking for a book on repairing them? types of Longcase clockcases?  history of or dating.

[Folkvisor]

Mostly repairing them but I'd welcome other recommendations for books about their cases, history and dating as well.

[oldhippy]

I found this to be necessary, if you want to find out more about Longcase clocks.

White Dial Clocks: The Complete Guide by Brian Loomes. Any book on clocks by Brian is worth every penny. Watch and clock makers of the world vol 1 and 2 are helpful in dating, comes in very handy if you  have to value clocks but very handy as reference books. Anything by Laurie Penman is worth having. Some of the books I had were very old must have been from around 1900 all out of print. I can write up for you how I would undertake repairing a longcase clock, if that would help you. Watch and clock supplies tend to stock more of the popular books.

I forgot these mags have a fantastic amount of information.

http://www.clocksmagazine.com/

[Tmuir]

I can second Oldhippy's recommendation of the clocks magazine.

I have a current subscription and it has some real gold in it, also if you are into social media Clocks Magazine also has a facebook group, but I tried to avoid Facebook myself even though I have an account

[Folkvisor]

Thank you so much for these ideas. I have The Clock Repairer's Manual by Mick Watters which is helpful for some things but I will certainly get some of the other books you recommend and I'll have a look at the Clocksmagazine site.

 

[watchweasol]

The Boys got it right on with Brial Loomes And Laurie Penman, They are Clock Guru's

[Folkvisor]

I just bought Laurie Penman's The Clock Repairer's Handbook.

[oldhippy]

You wont be disappointed. I’m not sure if Laurie still writes for the Clocks magazine.  

[Folkvisor]

I'm looking forward to getting the book. 

[watchweasol]

I have a copy of that book and read it cover to cover but very useful for browsing topics if you are working on a particular repair, I guess Lauries book covers most if not all of it

[Folkvisor]

Hi All

I just got the Penman book today; it's fabulous!

The fault-finding chart is invaluable! 

Thank you so much for suggesting this book and for your advice.

Dave

 

[Folkvisor]

This may be a stupid question:

Do we assume that the escape wheel is turning clockwise in all the escapement diagrams?

Dave

[oldhippy]

I’m happy you are finding the book interesting.  I would say yes to your question.

[Folkvisor]

Thank you for corroborating my guess.

The explanations of strike mechanisms are also very good. 

And thank you, as well, for the link to Clocks Magazine.

[oldhippy]

You are most welcome.

[Folkvisor]

I am working on another Grandfather Clock.

I think it should come out the front if I can loosen - and later remove - the screws holding it on the saddle to move it back about 1/4 inch so the wooden face-plate can slide down and out. Taking the saddle off won't give it enough room to slide out and it is very awkward to get at it. There are also 2 screws in 2 brackets holding the movement in place on the pendulum side that need to be removed but I'm thinking they can be loosened and left in place until I can see my way clear to take the movement out.

I see no other way to do this safely.

Do you have any advice regarding my idea(s)? 

[Folkvisor]

I think someone should write a book on how to actually get the movements OUT of clocks so they can be fixed.

[oldhippy]

The antique long case clocks come out easy. These modern one are and can be sods. A few photos might help me.