wood works count wheel

[Jim_Miller]

Just a quick question ( if there is such a thing ). I know there were different manufactures, but my question is are the parts interchangeable? In particular the count wheels. I have a Seth Thomas 30 hour and it needs a count wheel. I also have 2 wood works movements, 1 is assembled and 1 is apart. Would I be able to use a count wheel from one of these spare movements to complete my ST?
Thanks in advance

 

[R. Croswell]

Try it and if it fits it should work.

 

[Tinker Dwight]

As long as the rotation is the same direction.
If not the same, you can try flipping the wheel over
but different hubs may make that hard to do.
The diameters should be close to the same.
Also, they should strike the same, hours only or
hours and halves.
Tinker Dwight

 

[Jim_Miller]

Thanks to you both. I've run into a little snag, just took the movement out of the case, and discovered that you don't really need a count wheel if you have no, yup nothing, strike train. It appears my quest will be ongoing.

 

[R. Croswell]

Thanks to you both. I've run into a little snag, just took the movement out of the case, and discovered that you don't really need a count wheel if you have no, yup nothing, strike train. It appears my quest will be ongoing.

You didn't mention if either or both of your spare movements were Seth Thomas. The "Terry style" 30-hour movements are all very similar that perhaps you could just use the one that is assembled? There is a long shot that you be able to use the strike parts from your disassembled movement in yours. Yea, it's a looong shot but not quite as long if your spare is another ST. We would like to see some pictures of what you are working with.

RC

 

[Jim_Miller]

RC,I had the same idea. not sure if the parts movement is ST or not. I doubt it though, when I gathered up the need gears, all the teeh were slightly curved. They almost looked like the teeh on an escape wheel. Also the the back plate of the parts movement is grooved to accomidate the pins on the countwhelel, so I'm not sure how that would work out on the St back plate. I hate the thought of ripping apart the assembled unit, so I might look at ordering the needed items.

 

[R. Croswell]

RC,I had the same idea. not sure if the parts movement is ST or not. I doubt it though, when I gathered up the need gears, all the teeh were slightly curved. They almost looked like the teeh on an escape wheel. Also the the back plate of the parts movement is grooved to accomidate the pins on the countwhelel, so I'm not sure how that would work out on the St back plate. I hate the thought of ripping apart the assembled unit, so I might look at ordering the needed items.

Wooden works teeth are typically slanted in the more common 30-hour movements. The most important considerations in swapping the strike side wheels from one movement to the other is distances between the pivot holes and space between the plates. If you need to have all the strike side parts made it will be quite expensive. Might be more practical to watch for a complete ST movement. I was not suggesting gutting your assembled movement but perhaps just using that movement in place of the one with the missing parts if it will fit. Or perhaps using it until you locate a ST parts movement.

RC

 

[Jim_Miller]

Using the assembled unit sounds like a good idea. I'll have to do a little mod to make it fit in the case. I'll put up some pictures later, I'm going to a B-day party for my Grandson today so hopefully my vision won't be to blurred when I pick up the camera,

 

[R. Croswell]

Using the assembled unit sounds like a good idea. I'll have to do a little mod to make it fit in the case. I'll put up some pictures later, I'm going to a B-day party for my Grandson today so hopefully my vision won't be to blurred when I pick up the camera,

Enjoy the B-day!

Please think before making modifications! I would not do anything that is not reversable. OK to perhaps to make a new hole for a mounting pin, or shim the dial so holes line up, but I would not cut wood to make it fit. Also make sure the pendulum for the replacement is not too long to fit in the case.

RC

 

[Jim DuBois]

Keep in mind there were many many makers of wooden works and while many are quite similar, similar is not necessarily suggestive of "interchangeable" parts. Snowden Taylor's identification charts can assist you to more clearly identify the movement(s) you have and from that you may decide if one of your more complete movements are proper for your case/maker label. I would not just start swapping parts from one set of plates to another without some more research.