Is this wear?

[Vernon]

I've got a lifting lever from a French clock and I'm not sure as to what it should look like? The end that interacts with the pin looked damaged initially then I thought, maybe ok. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks

Vernon

 

[Willie X]

Looks like it may have had an accident?

That should clean up with a slight amount of filing, or you may be able to do some good with smooth jaw pliers. When you get that burr removed a few strokes with a fine buff stick (with the grain) should get it back where it needs to be.

Willie X

 

[Vernon]

Thanks Willie, after staring at these glass hard pivots and trying not to break any I wasn't sure what I was looking at

Vernon

 

[shutterbug]

Be extra careful with those pivots when you put it back together. VERY little pressure on them as you wiggle them into their holes.

 

[JimmyOz]

Before you put anything in-between the plates make sure the back plate just falls into the 4 posts, any resistance will have you putting pressure on the plate when assembling the movement.

 

[Mike Phelan]

Put the plates together without the wheels to make sure that they will just fall into place, then if that's OK then carefully assemble it.
French pivots are glass hard

 

[Vernon]

Progress is slow with the holiday. There is a little resistance and when I lightly squeeze 2 opposing posts toward each other, the plates fall together. I don't see any obvious burs. I may try polishing the ends of the posts to get some relief.
Thanks!

Vernon

 

[Mike Phelan]

That might make a difference, Vernon.

 

[Vernon]

Well, the lever has been dressed with a file and pillar posts polished and the movement is reassembled. I have couple of new issues however:

*The minute wheel/clutch tube with the two lifting pins doesn't want to stay put and walks forward despite lightly punching it into position (don't believe that it will go any closer), should this tube be crimped slightly?
*The second issue is that the stop lever is missing the stop pin sometimes. The spring seems to have good action on the lever and there is no noticeable wear on the pin. Should the pin be bent?

Thanks, Vernon

 

[Mike Phelan]

Not quite sure with your terminology here, but I'm assuming your 'minute wheel' is the cannon pinion, and the 'stop lever' is the lever between the plates on the rear end of the rack hook arbor?

In which case, if the cannon pinion should have its pipe squeezed only enough to allow the hands to be moved normally. It won't stay put properly until the minute hand is on and pinned.

Don't move the pin on the gathering pallet wheel - it should be straight! What happens if you try it without the rack?

 

[Vernon]

Mike,

That makes sense that I need to have the hands pinned in place. With the rack held up out of the way I get the same results. So the acting face on that lever where the pin contacts has some appearance of wear. The area is shiny and there may be a pit. It's very very hard to tell. Thanks

Vernon

 

[shutterbug]

I don't see a minute wheel to drive the cannon. Usually there's an oversized washer on that to keep things together. But I don't see a post for it either, so it might be something internal.

 

[Vernon]

I stand corrected on the terminology. The minute wheel goes on the front plate and is removed in the photo. I suppose the remedy tear it back down and buff out the end of the lever to make the surface as even as possible. Normally, something worn would catch my eye but French clocks must be really sensitive. Thank you all for your help!

Vernon

 

[Mike Phelan]

SB, the minute wheel pivot hole is immediately below between the winding squares; you can see the screw holes and post holes below it.

Vernon, I think the problem isn't wear as these parts are substantial enough not to wear; it's probably that someone has bent the warning lever so it doesn't lift the rack hook sufficiently to lift the lever to release the train into warning.
Carefully bend the two 'arms' of the warning lever together - too far apart will sound the complete hour for the half-hour