How To Remove Brass Housing.

[Kieran McCarthy]

Hopefully, I have this in the correct forum, rather than General Clock Discussion.
Please see the photograph of a small French mantle clock, timepiece only. I am trying to remove the brass housing from the wooden case without doing further damage. It came to me partially mangled and I do not wish to add to its woe.
I have tried freezing it overnight at minus 28 degrees centigrade. When that failed, I blasted it with a very warm flow of air from a hairdryer for several minutes and it simply will not budge. I suspect it to be circa 1920. I have considered cutting the metal and silver soldering or brazing later but before I do something as drastic as that I am hoping someone has the "right" solution.
The movement is in tip-top condition so if all else fails I can look out for a suitable case. Thank You. Kieran

 

[Kevin W.]

Are there any tiny nails or screws on the inside holding it. I had a Swiss clock that was very similar to this.

 

[Kieran McCarthy]

Thanks, Kevin, yes, there were two such tiny brass pins which I managed to remove but still, it would not budge. Kieran.

 

[Kevin W.]

Thats very strange Kieran.

 

[S_Owsley]

Have you tried applying rotational force? Perhaps make a jig that will apply pressure at the right points, and a light tap or more with a hammer to see if that will break it free without damaging the surrounding material?

 

[Willie X]

I'm curious as to why it needs to be removed? Willie X

 

[Tim Orr]

Good evening, Kieran!

Someone (including perhaps, the maker) might have glued it in. Some people claim to have good luck with putting white vinegar on a joint and letting it soak to loosen the glue. Trouble is, there's a huge area that might have glue on it. And, the vinegar could do something to the wood or the finish around it. Might not, but might. Sounds, though, like you don't have a huge affection for the wooden part, if you're considering finding a new case.

Can you get a thin blade between the brass and the wood, if only to open up a channel for the vinegar?

Good luck!

Best regards!

Tim Orr

 

[Ralph]

The wood shrunk. It will be difficult to remove.

Ralph

 

[shutterbug]

I think you'll need to cut a large hole in a plank to support the case close to the brass. Then try to find a person with a wood lathe to make you a round piece to fit over the back of the brass ring so you can whack it a couple of times to drive it out. If it's been glued in, you might need to apply heat (pretty high heat, more than a hair dryer could likely supply). But I'm with Willie. Unless it absolutely has to come out, work around it.

 

[Betzel]

I'm curious as to why it needs to be removed

As I get older, I keep hearing (and ignoring) questions like this in my head.

If we knew the ultimate goal, maybe there's a more clever way to get there?

Also, the doors stick quite a bit in the winter. I think it's ambient humidity. Would it simply slide out on a sunny, dry summer day?