How to disassemble this gear?

[LarryAC]

This is from an Ansonia mantle clock I picked up as a learning project. The bushing under the little round wheel with two upright pins in the photo is very badly worn and must be replaced. The pivot the wheel is pressed onto is fairly small so my inexpensive gear puller from Amazon won't work. I can't figure out how to remove it so I can replace the bushing. Then, if I can get it off, how would I press it back on with the gear/pivot having to be inserted into the plate before it's pressed on?

 

[Willie X]

Take all the parts off the front plate. This should give you enough space to use two paint can openers to remove that gathering pallet. It actually shouldn't be so tight but time can make parts grow together.

When you put it back on, simply push it down with your fingers, then do the testing to make sure it's in exactly the right place. To set the GP, use a small hollow punch and one or two light taps with a two ounce hammer and you're done.

Willie X

 

[LarryAC]

Thanks. The rest of the front pieces appear to be pressed on too and I think they have to be reassembled with a particular alignment to one another so I was hoping to not have to take them apart. Should I just give in and try to pry them all apart with the paint can openers?

 

[R. Croswell]

Thanks. The rest of the front pieces appear to be pressed on too and I think they have to be reassembled with a particular alignment to one another so I was hoping to not have to take them apart. Should I just give in and try to pry them all apart with the paint can openers?

The other parts are held with little brass collars that are pressed on. Pry off the collar and the part should lift off. Paint can openers may not work on these retainer collars but you can usually slip a blade in the space and work them off.

On the gathering pallet (the thing with the pins) be careful where you place the paint can openers, you should not pry directly under the pins. Sometimes the pins go through the brass and you do not want to pry up on the end of the pins.

RC

 

[LarryAC]

Well, that was easy. The little wheel popped right off and the other front pieces also came off with just a little leverage. The only piece left is the hand's arbor with that gear pressed all the way down to the plate. I'm not sure it's worth prying that one off.

Unfortunately, when I pried off the two from arms, a little bushing popped off the top an flew across the room. It looks like it might be a retention bushing. The other two were saved, and can be seen in the upper right in the background of the photo. I'll have to find a source to replace the one lost to my shop.



RC, Our posts crossed, but thanks for the advice - I was careful when I pried off the gathering pallet. Unfortunately, I didn't realize there were collars on the other parts and one is lost. I used a small screwdriver and worked around each piece and they came off pretty easily.

 

[R. Croswell]

Well, that was easy. The little wheel popped right off and the other front pieces also came off with just a little leverage. The only piece left is the hand's arbor with that gear pressed all the way down to the plate. I'm not sure it's worth prying that one off.

Unfortunately, when I pried off the two from arms, a little bushing popped off the top an flew across the room. It looks like it might be a retention bushing. The other two were saved, and can be seen in the upper right in the background of the photo. I'll have to find a source to replace the one lost to my shop.

View attachment 755558

RC, Our posts crossed, but thanks for the advice - I was careful when I pried off the gathering pallet. Unfortunately, I didn't realize there were collars on the other parts and one is lost. I used a small screwdriver and worked around each piece and they came off pretty easily.

If you can't find the missing collar, just get a small drill and drill a hole through the post where the collar was and insert a piece of fine wire and shape it like an "S" to retain these parts. That's the way most later clocks were made. If you want to use a collar, you will probably have to make one. Perhaps from a stock pivot hole bussing that you can ream for a tight press on fit.

The cannon pinion (on the center shaft) should be supported under the plate, then heated for a few seconds with a small butane torch after which a tap on the end of the shaft with a brass driver or hammer should drive the shaft through pinion and it will fall off.

RC

 

[LarryAC]

RC, thanks for the tips. If I can't find the collar I will use the wire methods you suggest, and I'll try to the heat method on the cannon pinion tomorrow.

 

[R. Croswell]

RC, thanks for the tips. If I can't find the collar I will use the wire methods you suggest, and I'll try to the heat method on the cannon pinion tomorrow.

I can't tell if the end of the center shaft is threaded or has a hole and tapered pin. If threaded, put the nut on, if it has a hole & pin put the pin in to keep from buggering up the threads or the hole. Just a light tap should do it. A hollow punch or driver that slips over the threads is also good (better). Don't burn it up, just get it too hot to touch.

RC

 

[LarryAC]

Thanks for the tips. I ordered a micro butane torch that arrives tomorrow, and I have the nut, but not a hollow punch that will fit. I have a lot of punches and a drill press, but not a lathe. I've never tried to drill the end of a punch but it might be worth seeing it is practical.