Ansonia Oiling question

[chrsvor25]

A couple weeks ago I purchased an Ansonia "Sicily" for 65 bucks at chapter 1 mart. The guy said it was brought in by someone who didnt want it anymore and just wanted to get rid of it.

It runs great, skips a beat occassionally once or twice an hour but still runs non stop. If you break out the tran book, youll see its a fancier iron clock and got one h***uva deal. I really dont want to have to take the whole thing apart. And I am not going to because its working good, and because of my lower, less experienced skill level and this clocks value, its better if make my mistakes on the Seth Thomas tambour I got for 25 bucks.

Should I give it some oil on the pivot points or just leave it alone?

[br3jlm]

"I really dont want to have to take the whole thing apart"

Isnt thats what its all about? Thats my favorite part


I guess it depends on how dirty the movement looked to me

[chrsvor25]

It looks pretty clean and shiney yet.

And I dont like repair work and wont do it if i dont have to, I only do it because getting someone else to do it is too expensive and would take months before I saw the clock again. That and I'm teaching myself because theres going to be alot less repairers to do work for me when I am older.

[R. Croswell]

If the clock is as valuable and as important to you as it seems to be, then it deserves proper care and maintenance. It is not normal for a clock to skip a beat as you describe. Yes, the clock probably does need oil, but it probably also needs cleaning, and it sounds like the escapement is either badly worn or in need of adjustment. Running in this condition is not a good idea. Likewise, mixing oil and dirt only creates an abrasive fluid that will accelerate wear.

I would suggest that you not continue to run the clock until you either feel that you have the ability to properly service it your self, or have had a qualified clock repair person give it the maintenance it deserves.

I agree, taking it apart is half the fun……….putting it all back is even more fun, especially if it runs!

Bob C.

[chrsvor25]

I'll let the springs run down so the clock stops, and then I won't start it up again until I get chance deal with this. The only reason I am not eager to dive into this one is because this is a clock worth hundreds and I am still an amateur.

Does anyone have any pictures of a badly worn escapement or an escapement in need of adjustment?

I think its more of an adjustment issue...the teeth of the escapement all look good and sharp, just every now and then while its running the tick stops for a split second and starts right up. It still has an even and strong tick to it.

[harold bain]

Nice clock. Does it have a visible escapement? The problem you describe could be a bushing problem. It would be better if you started with an easier movement to restore and build up your experience before tackling this one.

[chrsvor25]

No, it has brass dial like the one in the link below. There was a New Haven open escapement for sale at 125 bucks on the next table. The movement needed reassembly but I was assured everything was there. It was hard to choose between the two!!! The guy was really workin at me to buy it and he didnt want to have to lug that heavy thing home, I felt bad!

http://www.antiqueclockspriceguide.com/clockdetail.php?id=24239

My current project is an Ansonia Bim Bam tambour and the first movement I have ever disassembled was an Ansonia shaped Japanese movement, and I have successfully repaired a Seikosha schoolhouse and a ST Sentinal # 7 with an 89 mvt. So therefore this isnt anything I havent taken on before, but because this is a higher caliber clock in the collecting world I will not be teaching myself anything on it. I have not taught myself bushing work yet!

[harold bain]

That doesn't look anything like the Sicily listed in Tran's book. It should be 17 inches long by 11 inches high.
You're probably better off with a complete clock than a box of parts.

[chrsvor25]

I know, that is one in the link is a Rosalind.

I was just showing you that picture to show what dial was on my sicily.

[shutterbug]

Chrs - you sound pretty excited about this one, and with good cause. Congrats on your buy! I think you've convinced yourself that because this clock is worth money it is somehow more complex than the average clock. I assure you, it is not. However, it is wise to wait until you feel ready, and practicing on 'cheap' clocks is great training. Set yourself a goal, and envision how you're going to feel when you repaired that great clock yourself and have earned bragging rights as it ticks away in your home! Then "get 'er done" :)

[itbme1987]

I felt the same as you on open escapement Ansonia clocks, then i bought one for $100 cast iron case and i was well aware it needed work, need 3 or 4 trundles replaced on the 2nd wheel and the main wheel needed replacing entirely and new clickwheels. After working on this movement i actually found it to be one of the easier i have ever worked on. I was worried on cracking the porceline center piece. All and all it turned out to be a good experience. I do congratulate you on your fine choice of the ansonia :thumb:

[Scottie-TX]

Often, missing a beat can mean either power to the escape wheel was temporarily disrupted or that there is a mutilated or unequally spaced tooth.

Does anyone have any pictures of a badly worn escapement or an escapement in need of adjustment?
It would be far more effective for you to provide us a picture of yours. Then we could could comment on YOUR escapement and wheel, rather than one we have that would provide you no help.

[chrsvor25]

Alright. I just got a new camera and I'm still learning how to use it. I'll do it in a bit.

[Veritas]

chrsvor25 What is your skill level now in clock repairing? (http://mb.nawcc.org/member.php?u=2592)
Maybe it is a good time to start as any, i suggest a weight driven Ogee clock, no mainsprings to contend with and they are pretty straightforward.
learning is done in steps, don,t feel intimidated by a clock,s movement.We all started somewhere like you.
Better to clean and oil the clock correctly than to do it wrong and cause excessive wear for no reason.
Nice clock and i look forward to hearing more about it.
If you do not have any clock repair book you could get some and study up first before you tackle a clock.

[chrsvor25]

Kevin West:

I have taken apart, cleaned and oiled a few movements. I have mainly worked on time and strike countwheel movements. My first project was a Meiji T and S gallery clock. It needs a new suspension so its just kind of laying on my desk right now, but it was still a good learning experience. The german box clock was a disaster (has a very rare and very bad to work with mainspring set up among many other things. I've given up on that one) My first success was a seikosha school clock, the mvt was all black and grimey and it had a broken spring. Runs perfect now. Just finished a ST tambour and I am tackling an Ansonia bing bong tambour.

I have several books. I know the proper way of learning is on a weight driven or time only mvt first, but I couldnt find any in my low price range to work on.

I will post a vid of my Ansonia striking possibly tommorrow for you all to see, and of the escapement.

[chrsvor25]

OF course, that doesnt makes me an expert, but its still something.

I've been taking advantage of the crappy economy and the clock market being one in the favor of buyers, grabbin up higher end clocks I normally cant afford (like this Ansonia or the ST chime # 92 for 70 some dollars that works perfectly but needed the case cleaned off)

[shutterbug]

Kevin West:
The german box clock was a disaster (has a very rare and very bad to work with mainspring set up among many other things. I've given up on that one)

Hang on to that one. Some day when you're up the the challenge you'll conquer that one too and will feel great in the accomplishment of what you once thought was 'impossible' :D

[Veritas]

Sounds like you are coming along very well in learning this hobby.
I think most of us have put clocks aside and come back to them when we gain more knowledge and experience.