Modifying a platform escapement... or not?

[brutusamiga]

Hello forum

I got a mantle clock in a few weeks ago. It was the only thing that survived a house fire.

The owner took it to a local clock butcher who lost the platform escapement. I only have one spare platform escapement. It fits perfectly BUT it came from a donor movement with 4 wheels in the time train. This movement has 5 wheels in the time train. The last wheel turns in the wrong direction. How do I know it turns in the wrong direction? The clock stops after a short while, has poor swing and needs a lot of power to run but with no power from the mainspring the balance wheel spins perfectly if I slightly push the minute hand backwards.

Is it possible to modify the platform escapement? Someone said I must flip the escape wheel on the arbor but I'm hesitant. Someone else suggested I must mount the platform upside down.

I really want to help the owners. They have been through enough trouble and nobody wants to attempt repairing the clock.

 

[brutusamiga]

A video is available here: https://youtu.be/pJUVDpPgSEs

 

[dickstorer]

The number of wheels in your time train tells me that your platform is not the right one. Even if your escape wheel is turning in the right direction the timekeeping will not be right. Why not get a NEW platform? Mounting the platform upside down is plain silly.

 

[brutusamiga]

Thanks for replying.

How do I determine exactly which platform to order? They sell at around $180 and import cost will be another $100, which will make this extremely expensive.

When I applied backward pressure to the minute hand, I got approximately 18000bph on the microset timer.

 

[jmclaugh]

A 5 wheel train says to me it is a month runner. I've never thought about a platform escapement and which direction the escape wheel turns and I'm not a repairer but does it matter? If it does then wouldn't a different type of platform be needed to a 4 wheel train.

 

[dickstorer]

Second thoughts. I believe that your problem is in the depthing of the escape wheel and the fourth wheel in the time train. I have never seen a platform that was other than 18000 beat. And, the escape wheel is the fifth wheel in the time train. If it were a month runner the movement would have one extra wheel between the BBl and the center wheel. How about a pic of the back plate.

 

[brutusamiga]

Hello again,

Here is a photo of the back plate.

Right now it seems I must either get the correct platform escapement, add another wheel or somehow manipulate the movement to change the direction the last wheel moves. Someone suggested putting the mainspring in the other way around and changing the barrel hook, but that should make the center wheel turn in the wrong direction (anticlockwise), or not?

 

[R. Croswell]

A video is available here: https://youtu.be/pJUVDpPgSEs

In the video the escape wheel appears to turn in the correct direction when you turn the hands backward. The escape wheel and pallets are made to run in that direction, trying to modify the platform to make it run backward, in my opinion, has little hope of success. Trying to force it to run backward as it is, and/or applying pressure with a screw driver is asking for disaster and could wreck the escapement so it won't run at all. Obviously you need a different platform - one that turns the opposite way.

Are there any markings to indicate the maker of this clock movement? I'm thinking the most practical solution may be to look for another movement that will fit this clock's case, or perhaps a donor movement to take the platform from. There have been a few unusual platform escapements that were not 18,000. Without the original part it will be a challenge to select a platform that will work, but at the lease, it will need to turn the other way.

RC

 

[brutusamiga]

Do they sell new platform escapement according to the direction they turn? The last thing I want to do is spend $300 on a non returnable imported platform. I need to be sure what do order.

It is an unmarked movement.

 

[R. Croswell]

Do they sell new platform escapement according to the direction they turn?

I have no idea, I have never seen hem listed by rotation in the catalogs I have. I think before spending $300 for a new platform for an old movement that has been through a fire, I would investigate getting a new movement that could be fitted to that clock case. Here in the US a new Hermle chimer will cost less than a $300 platform escapement alone.

RC

 

[doug sinclair]

This may not be the answer, but indeed, it is possible to modify an escapement to run sdrawkcab! The picture is of a watch I modified some years ago, to run sdrawkcab.

You

 

[brutusamiga]

The escapement is currently at a watchmaker. I told him to flip the escape wheel and pallet fork. He said in theory it should work but in 52 years he has never done that.

Time will tell...

 

[shutterbug]

I would have encouraged the owner to have a serious talk with the former repairman. HE'S the one who lost it, and he should replace it.

 

[doug sinclair]

The escapement is currently at a watchmaker. I told him to flip the escape wheel and pallet fork. He said in theory it should work but in 52 years he has never done that.

Time will tell...

The movement shown in my first post has had exactly that done to it, plus many other modifications in order to reverse the mainspring in the barrel, and to reverse the winding mechanism as well. So if you are desperate, it shows it can be done. I did this project for me! Would I have done it for anyone else? Not on your life!

 

[brutusamiga]

I agree. Under normal circumstances I would never attempt such a repair but the owner of the clock lost everything in that fire except the clock. I took the platform escapement from a donor movement that is in perfect condition. I can't give up yet.

 

[brutusamiga]

The person who lost the escapement is in his 90's and, apparently, can't tell day from night. Many years ago he told me it is madness completely taking clocks apart to service them. He told me most clocks just need a good rinse in ammoniated solution and oiled with knitting machine oil. "I have been doing that for 40 years" he said. I smiled and left. That was our last conversation.

 

[R. Croswell]

The person who lost the escapement is in his 90's and, apparently, can't tell day from night. Many years ago he told me it is madness completely taking clocks apart to service them. He told me most clocks just need a good rinse in ammoniated solution and oiled with knitting machine oil. "I have been doing that for 40 years" he said. I smiled and left. That was our last conversation.

You should be commended for your action. At 90 one is entitled to the pleasure and satisfaction of believing they have always done the job right. Indeed the old gentleman probably kept a lot of old clocks ticking.

RC

 

[brutusamiga]

Good news! The clock is running perfectly after the EW and fork were flipped.