Westclox Big Ben Clock Hands won't operate

[finiteguy]

I have a circa 1920 Big Ben Peg Leg clock that I'm struggling with. I realize these are not great clocks, but I'd like to fi it. I noticed that the movement runs okay, but te hands don't always move, particulaly when they climb. The are free to rotate via the setting knob, but I can't see what is wrong with this. Anyone here have any interest (and advice) regarding these clocks?

[shutterbug]

I have a circa 1920 Big Ben Peg Leg clock that I'm struggling with. I realize these are not great clocks, but I'd like to fi it. I noticed that the movement runs okay, but te hands don't always move, particulaly when they climb. The are free to rotate via the setting knob, but I can't see what is wrong with this. Anyone here have any interest (and advice) regarding these clocks?



Hey finite! This is a classic symptom of a cracked pinion gear on the minute arbor. Check it under magnification, and you'll probably see it. The fix? Remove it, insert a bushing (reaming to fit is fine), solder it in and size it with a reamer to fit snug. Problem solved :)

[bangster]

Don't kid yourself, Inf...those early Big Bens are GREAT clocks. Well made AND made so they can be repaired. I've restored a bunch of them.

Shut is probly right in his diagnosis. Do a search on "cracked pinion" and you'll find various suggestions for dealing with them.

bangster

[finiteguy]

Thanks for the info on the fix. I'll try to get to it this weekend.

I'm trying to restore the paper dial. It is in pretty rough shape. I thought that I would make a 1:1 copy of the dial and white out the smears and re copy on thick paper.

Always happy to restore clocks made in America by people of my parent's generation. The movement has 4-02-20 inscribed on it (just a few months after my mother was born).

[bangster]

...

I'm trying to restore the paper dial. It is in pretty rough shape. I thought that I would make a 1:1 copy of the dial and white out the smears and re copy on thick paper.

...


That's more or less what I've done, only I've used the computer. Scanned the dial, cleaned it up in Photoshop, printed a copy on heavy glossy paper (photo paper).

Same thing for the strip that shows through the top windows.

bangster

[Xamfap]

That's more or less what I've done, only I've used the computer. Scanned the dial, cleaned it up in Photoshop, printed a copy on heavy glossy paper (photo paper).

Same thing for the strip that shows through the top windows.

You can pick up whole sheet 8x10 labels in clear and white at Staples. I've had luck printing cleaned up work on these and then cutting them out and making little patches to stick on.

Also for a less "sticky" situation the water-slide decals at decalpaper.com offer a slow-sticking solution...I've used these for metal but never tried them over paper.

I'd suggest you practice any of these methods before trying them on your clock.