Servicing Forestville Mantel Clocks: When Problems Arise, It's Far From Enjoyable! (Part II)
In the world of clock repair, one common issue that arises is the breaking of a pivot - a small, cylindrical component that connects the gears in a clock's movement. This article details the process of repairing a broken pivot in a German Art Deco mantel clock, such as a Forestville brand clock, made in the 1960s.
The first step in the repair process is to disassemble the movement and locate the broken pivot. Once found, it needs to be carefully removed from the arbor (the gear shaft). The pivot hole in the plate (the hole where the pivot spins) should then be cleaned and prepared. If the hole is enlarged or damaged, it usually needs bushing - inserting a new metal sleeve to restore the proper fit.
For a broken pivot, fabricating a new one is necessary. This can be done by replacing the broken pivot with new steel wire turned to the correct diameter on a lathe or by straightening and reshaping a damaged pivot if possible. The new pivot is then polished and oiled before reassembly.
The maintenance of the mainspring barrels was more challenging than anticipated, with both mainsprings refusing to catch on their hooks when reinstalled. However, after two 8-day running cycles, the movement's performance is promising.
The movement will be returned to its case after the strike hammers and moving parts are re-installed. Out of an abundance of caution, an additional 2 bushings were installed, bringing the total to T2, T3, T4, rear plate, T4, T5, front plate, all on the time side. There is more wear on the time side that at least 3 new bushings are required, two on the front plate and one on the back.
When taking apart the movement and reinstalling the gears, the front plate center wheel pivot broke. The broken pivot was repaired using a piece of 0.85mm to 1.10mm wire, drilled into the shaft with a centring bit and a high-speed bit, and secured with high-strength Permatex Threadlocker Red.
The rack and snail movement is relatively simple to work on with all adjustments on the outside of the plates, except for the stop wheel. The escape wheel is running well after oiling the pivots, excluding the jewelled ones. The strike side did not show much wear, indicating that it did not see much action, typical for many mechanical clocks. The strike side of the movement shows minimal wear, indicating infrequent use.
Since Forestville was a German Art Deco style clock, the movement is likely mechanical with lantern pinions and traditional clock gear trains. This process aligns with standard German vintage mechanical clock repair practices.
If you are not experienced in clock repair, it is often recommended to consult or hire a professional horologist, as improper repair can damage delicate gear trains or affect timekeeping accuracy.
References: [1] Clock Repair Guide (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.clockrepairguide.com/ [2] Clock Repair Workshop (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.clockrepairworkshop.com/
- The process of repairing a broken pivot in a vintage German Art Deco mantel clock might involve fabricating a new pivot if the existing one is irreparably damaged, which can be done by replacing it with new steel wire or by straightening and reshaping a damaged one.
- For maintenance purposes, it is essential to ensure that the gears in a clock's movement are reinstalled correctly after disassembly, as exemplified by the case of the front plate center wheel pivot in this repair process, which was fixed using a piece of wire and high-strength threadlocker.
- The maintenance and repair of vintage clocks, such as the Forestville brand clock, are often related to the home-and-garden lifestyle and can be considered a part of the wider world of technology and gadgets, especially with the advent of specialized tools like lathes and high-speed bits.
- As fashion and beauty trends evolve, there seems to be a growing interest in vintage clocks, such as vintage mechanical clocks like the Forestville, as they add a unique and stylish touch to any home décor, blending well with the contemporary home-and-garden lifestyle.
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