removal and cleaning of German westminister movements

[kirby337]

I have several German bracket clocks with Westminister movements and my question is can you recommend to me any method for removal of the clock movement prior to my cleaning of the movement and what steps I might take to remove the re-assemble those clock movements ? I usually have my clock movements taken in to be cleaned and lubricated and I would like to teach myself how do to that - ARe there any books in the Nawcc library that you would recommend that I borrow to aid me in this ? Thank you - PEter

[kirby337]

I have several German bracket clocks with Westminister movements and my question is can you recommend to me any method for removal of the clock movement prior to my cleaning of the movement and what steps I might take to remove the re-assemble those clock movements ? I usually have my clock movements taken in to be cleaned and lubricated and I would like to teach myself how do to that - ARe there any books in the Nawcc library that you would recommend that I borrow to aid me in this ? Thank you - PEter

[doug sinclair]

Kirby,

Your question is a lot easier to ask than it is to answer! Thorough service of a chime clock such as you describe starts by a complete understanding of the characteristics of each of the chime systems on these clocks (and there are differences, movement to movement), and the proper shop set up. It also involves the usual hand tools such as screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, etc. But it also involves tools such as a good mainspring winder so that you can remove the mainsprings from the barrels for inspection, thorough cleaning and lubricating, and re-insertion. There WILL be some worn bearings that will need attention, and that will require the correct round files, reamers, pin vises, ans a bushing assortment. Ideally, you would have a bushing tool for this purpose. There is a likelihood that some of the pivots will be scored, so you'll require a lathe with a steady rest and the requisite pivoting files, burnishing tools, and jasper slips. You will have to completely dis-assemble the clock and not lose any parts, do the pivoting work and re-bushing necessary, clean it, re-assemble it, and put all the chiming and striking parts back together so that everything works! You'll need some kind of a cleaning machine, preferably a large ultrasonic, and the requisite cleaning and rinsing solutions, and a means of drying the parts. Some folks will spend years doing simpler jobs on simpler clocks, gradually gathering the knowledge of how clocks work, and to learn the discipline involved in being able to achieve results. What prior experience have you had in this kind of work? If you get in beyond your depth and damage a bunch of parts, the cost of having someone finish the job for you will be much greater than the cost of a professional, thorough servicing by a professional. I don't know of any one book that would assist you in starting at ground zero, and take you step by step through all the variables that you are likely to run into. Learn to walk before you run is the best advice I can offer.

[BIG D]

Kirby337,
Doug (as usual) has given you good advice. If interested you may want to start with a much simpler movement and work up to the Westminster Chime movements. This board is full of experts and they are willing to share their knowledge and experiences. They dont all agree on everything but they will all give you their best advice.
Good Luck and check back as often as needed.

[Scottie-TX]

1. As others have suggested. Don't begin learning with a German westminster. 2. Phil's sources are certainly good. I'll share three of mine. My first book was, "The Clock Repair Primer" Philip E. Balcomb. The second, a little more in depth, was "Clock Repair Basics" by Steven G. Conover. The third, a little more in depth, again Steven Conover and "Clock Repair Skills". Most will recommend for your first disassembly, a time-only weight powered clock. I started a BIT more ambitious with kitchen clocks - sometimes called gingerbread clocks. The wheels are large. They are very forgiving of cretin fisted klutzes like me and with their large wheels and pivots are a bit less intense than the small wheels and pivots of German westminsters. I wish you well my friend and hope you pursue your interest in clocks.

[Scottie-TX]

Tehee chuckle Phil. Wasn't my first but maybe my second or third - a hermle westm: I dismantled it entirely to replace the time train mainspring. Oh well. You know the rest of the story.

[Joe Collins]

Hi Scottie and Phil,
It ain't braggin if you can do it!
My first was a ST t&s with lyre shaped plates.
Spent the better part of a week on it.

Joe

[Mike Phelan]

Cannot remember the first one of these I did, or how many (hundreds) I have done, but definitely not the sort to start on.
I recently was asked to look at one of these clocks, and was presented with a case and box of bits.
The owner had decided to dismantle it to 'see why it would not go'.
A brief look showed that the strike fly and warning wheel were missing, the third wheel had a broken pivot, the 'scape wheel teeth were all bent, and the going train barrel and second wheel had bent teeth.
I promptly returned it, and congratulated the owner on still having a full complement of fingers and facial features after dismantling a wound clock.

[BIG D]

One other thing that might be a good idea. Someone once suggested to me to go buy a new replacement movement to start on. That way you know it should run when you get the thing reassembled. Just a thought, any other opinions are welcome.

[Scottie-TX]

Not every time but many times part of my pre-disassembly analysis is auditioning the movement prior to dismantling. That way I can spot problem areas if any and often find clock runs just fine. Now I don't run it for a week!