Pair of 400-Day Clocks

[Wayne C. Anderson]

Found at a local estate auction was a pair of identical (or at least to my eyes) 400-Day K & O clocks. There are pins securing the movement, and to disassemble the movement should the pins be removed? Any suggestions about how to remove the pins without scratching the brass plates? Can the pins be replaced, or should new ones be used? Thanks

 

[whatgoesaround]

More knowledgable people than I will be along to give you better advice, but before you do anything about taking those pins out, let down the mainspring. I use a thin-nosed pair of pliers, grasping the thicker end of the pin and pull straight out. If the pins are not weak, I would use them again.

 

[Burkhard Rasch]

Hi Wayne,You´ve got a pair of verry nice anniversaries,congrats!As Whatgoes allready said:before taking the mvmt.apart let down the mainspring,otherwise the clock will explode into Your face causing severe injuries and damage to the gears as well.If You want to service Your clocks Yourself You have to take the pins out using the method explained above.If they don´t want to come out that way,try this: put one branch of a forceps on the tip of the small end of the pin,the other branch on the protruding part of the pillar and push it out.
But first You should get a copy of Ch.Terwilligers "400 day clock repair guide"10th ed.because it covers all questions that might occur during reassembling of Your clocks.(The secret is not taking them apart but reassembling them working).Servicing these is not as difficult as some describe,but they have their pitfalls that can drive You nuts if You don´t read about their specialities first.And if You have questions:come back,there are many experts of these clocks here to help You through!
Burkhard

 

[Wayne C. Anderson]

I tried using several different thin-nosed pair of pliers, grasping the thicker end of the pin and pulling straight out, but not one of the 4 pins came loose. I was not able to twist (turn) the pins, they seem to be frozen in place. Would anyone have any further suggestions as to how to remove the pins? Thanks

 

[harold bain]

Wayne, you could take the front plate off instead (screwed on), and work from that side.

 

[Wayne C. Anderson]

Harold,
The front plate (Dial) is also held on by two pins, and they will not move either...Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[harold bain]

Well, Wayne, the front (dial) will have to come off anyway, as you wouldn't want it to go into your cleaner (should be 3 pins holding it). With the more stubborn pins, bigger pliers is usually the solution. Sometimes a set of sidecutters, levered against the post, will free it up quickest. Just be aware of the taper, and pull on the right end.

 

[Kevin W.]

What i use is a good sized pair of needle nose pliers.I put one jaw under the pin, and the other jaw against the post and squeeze, they usually come out.The movement should be removed i feel from the base part when you dis assemble it.
Nice find Wayne and congrats on your purchase, you will have may hours of learning to do.

 

[Ingulphus]

You can also try a drop of oil where each pin enters the post - this may may it easier. The one thing to avoid is breaking the pin off in the post - it can be removed using a strong solution of alum, but it's still a pain in the brass....

 

[Wayne C. Anderson]

Trying to remove the pin, keeping in mind the one thing to avoid is breaking the pin off in the post, I found out the pins were very soft material, and they sheared off with very little preassure. But tapping lightly with a very fine punch did get three of the pins out, and I'm working on removing the last pin....Thanks to everyone for the help.

PS: And the fourth pin just came out by using my staking tool.

 

[Kevin W.]

Are you refering to 4 th pin as the one in the back plates ?

 

[whatgoesaround]

Trying to remove the pin, keeping in mind the one thing to avoid is breaking the pin off in the post, I found out the pins were very soft material, and they sheared off with very little preassure. But tapping lightly with a very fine punch did get three of the pins out, and I'm working on removing the last pin....Thanks to everyone for the help.

PS: And the fourth pin just came out by using my staking tool.

The tapping worked and you might want to stick with that. If you want, on the other clock, put one side of the pliers against the end of the thicker end of the pin and the other side against the top of the post and squeeze, as some other members described. The pin should come out or at least will loosen enough to be able to pull it directly out. Whatever works for you is best.

 

[Wayne C. Anderson]

Kevin,
Yes the 4th pin on the backplate finally came loose. Looks like all the pivots/shafts/wheels are covered with a very heavy black residue (perhaps some type of oil). Thanks for your help.

 

[lesbradley]

I tried using several different thin-nosed pair of pliers, grasping the thicker end of the pin and pulling straight out, but not one of the 4 pins came loose. I was not able to twist (turn) the pins, they seem to be frozen in place. Would anyone have any further suggestions as to how to remove the pins? Thanks

I usually slacken the screws on the front plate first, removes some tension and makes it a lot easier to remove the pins.

 

[Joe Collins]

I know this subject had been well covered but I just ran across this picture in Practical Clock Repairing by Donald de Carle. I thought it was worth posting.

Joe

 

[Ken M]

I presume what was meant was "put one side of the pliers on the THIN end, and the other on the post, and squeeze". Putting the pliers on the thick end will tighten.....or did I just read it wrong

 

[whatgoesaround]

I presume what was meant was "put one side of the pliers on the THIN end, and the other on the post, and squeeze". Putting the pliers on the thick end will tighten.....or did I just read it wrong

Yes, push from the thin end out. My mistake.