Help with examples

[Craig the amateur]

I'm restoring an old cuckoo clock my father had in his office in pieces. The issue I have is that the pendulum looks to have been reworked and also broken. I was wondering if anyone had an example of what it should look like or where I could get one. I've posted a picture of what the pendulum looks like and a picture of the clock.

 

[John P]

That is an odd one. I would try to restore it, to keep the original on the clock.

 

[JTD]

I don't think the pendulum is too bad, cleaned up and the bob stabilised it would be fine and at least not a modern addition to the clock, most of which seems to be in relatively good condition.

JTD

 

[Steve Neul]

I'm restoring an old cuckoo clock my father had in his office in pieces. The issue I have is that the pendulum looks to have been reworked and also broken. I was wondering if anyone had an example of what it should look like or where I could get one. I've posted a picture of what the pendulum looks like and a picture of the clock.

View attachment 763364 View attachment 763365

It appears to be made out of wood. If so it wouldn't be very hard to make another. The majority of it could be turned on a faceplate on a wood lathe. Then the flower in the center would take a little carving to re-create. What would make it easier if you may bought one woodcarving chisel. Not knowing the overall size of the pendulum my guess it would be a sweeps #7 8mm. It would just round the corners of the petals. The rest of it could be done with a flat chisel and a utility knife. I'm not qualified to say what it originally looked like. Since it appears to have something missing from the center if I were making it I would probably put a raised button in the center like this.

 

[Willie X]

The best example would be the one you have there. It just needs some TLC. Windex, toothbrush, steel wool, furniture oil, you know. Willie X

 

[Craig the amateur]

My issue isn't the restoration of the parts as much as how they were originally put together. The Bob was connected to the pendulum with a wire. I feel like it originally had a bottom rating, and a different way the bob was mounted. I've provided more pictures for your viewing pleasure.

 

[Willie X]

Looks like the bottom of the wire may have been broken off? Old cuckoos can have some serious 'mickey mouse' construction. Willie X

 

[Steve Neul]

My issue isn't the restoration of the parts as much as how they were originally put together. The Bob was connected to the pendulum with a wire. I feel like it originally had a bottom rating, and a different way the bob was mounted. I've provided more pictures for your viewing pleasure.

View attachment 763434 View attachment 763435 View attachment 763436 View attachment 763437 View attachment 763438

It may be there was a threaded end on that rod that broke off. Surely there was a nut and a way to adjust the length of the pendulum to adjust the time on the clock. If you can't find a replacement part perhaps the threaded rod off another pendulum could be brazed to that rod. Since it will be hidden by the pendulum the repair wouldn't show. The hard part will be guessing how much length to add. You might make it as long as you can and cut the additional length off when you get the clock running.