Westclox Big Ben Loud Alarm

[Piecat]

Not seeing my way open to remove the rivets that hold the broken click-spring, I was wondering if this assembly is stil commercially available (or from someones parts box). The rest of the clock is in excellent condition, but someone before me tried this horrible repair:



Can anybody guide me in the right direction?

Piecat.

 

[shutterbug]

I think you could grind the rivets off flat, remove the spring and get rid of that nasty solder mess. Then punch out the rest of the rivets and replace them. You can get a new spring from most suppliers. Should not be too hard to do.

 

[Piecat]

Shutterbug

It is not as simple as what it looks like in only the one photo. Unless you disassemble the whole unit by drilling out the center pin, there's no way you can replace the two rivets. The center pin is a complicated swaged affair, which will not lend itself to easy replacement.





Piecat.

 

[clockdaddy]

Piecat,

If you want to PM me with your address etc, I've got a parts movement I'll send ya.

Harold Markey

 

[bangster]

I recently had to deal with an almost identical bodge. Here's what I did. Removed the mainspring from the barrel. Used a screwdriver to pry the barrel off the center boss (as piecat sez, it's swaged on). With the clickwheel & shaft out of the click plate, I ground the backs off the two rivets, took off the clickspring stub, cleaned off the solder mess. Bought a new click spring from MileHigh and riveted it on. The center of the barrel got deformed (pooched out) in the prying off, so I put it back into shape. Filed off the "peenings" on the center boss until it would fit back into the hole in the barrel. Put everything together. Soldered the barrel to the boss with TIX (so sue me). Put mainspring back in and it works jes' fine.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

bangster

 

[clockdaddy]

Maybe piecat can keep it as extra parts. I've had this movement sittin' 'round fer yers and it's gonna git gone!! I'm glad he can use it..




I'll need something from y'all someday an' y'all kin help me!

 

[K Reindel]

Piecat,

Another interesting problem occurs on these when that swaged assembly develops slop. The hole doesn't get bigger however. The brass ratchet/"pivot"/swaged assembly wears out. It's possible to repair it with patience, a lathe, mill and index wheel. But replacing the assembly is a far better alternative...while supplies last. Many old movements are worn or equally butchered or have other problems with this assembly. I believe I have a couple respectable barrel assembies (new old stock) if you run into problems taking them off another clock, and are interested.

Kind regards,
Ken
ken@kensclockclinic.com

 

[clocksiam]

i have parts new and used