I just started my clock tinkering journey a few weeks ago with a rescue clock from an estate sale. (Info in my post on the New acquisitions section). It turned out to be a Boardman and Wells wooden movement Bevel Shelf Clock that had had the original movement replaced with a battery driven one. The original movement came with the clock. The apparent damage includes damaged pinions and missing gear teeth. I understand that anything can be fixed and that there are multiple approaches, including replacement parts from a specialist (e.g., George Bruno), remolding with resin, fabricating a wooden repair insert, etc. In the meantime, I located a spare movement by the same maker. I bought it since its cost was very reasonable. I have now received the spare movement and I would like some input for how to proceed. I welcome all input, including philosophical positions on conservation versus restoration. I would also appreciate some practical considerations on how to proceed with a potential host/donor approach. My basic position is that I should take advantage of interchangeable parts from the period if they are available since, that was the design philosophy of this era of clock making. I have not found this option mentioned by anyone here. I wonder the reason for that. Here are the specifics that I have observed between the original and replacement:
Original:
original here:
[ATTACHREUSE]
Some questions:
Are the parts actually interchangeable between these movements?
Pros/cons of brass vs. wood bearings
Which would you choose as donor or host?
Original:
- missing 6 teeth on primary drive wheel
- missing pinion tooth on second drive wheel
- broken count wheel tooth
- broken count wheel pinion
- missing cam on maintenance wheel
- escape wheel mount is wobbly
- missing fan fly, including arbor and pivots
- missing teeth on Maintenance wheel
- contains brass pivot and winding arbor bearings
original here:
[ATTACHREUSE]
Some questions:
Are the parts actually interchangeable between these movements?
Pros/cons of brass vs. wood bearings
Which would you choose as donor or host?






