To all my Subscribers from Jefferson ClockWorks. Let me show you what it would be like to pickup a Clock and see it in your mind how it works, the many wheels turning so slowly that it takes a week to unwind. Taking it a step further, how could these wheels be made to run so precisely and why do they stop after many years of running. How to recognize the worn area's and know how to repair it back to original health. This is what I show and explain in my Video's. Make yourself a Gift of my Video's and see a new world of how things work and teach yourself something that you will never forget. I look forward to hearing from you, Al Takatsch
I recently completed one of these and realized it is much more difficult than a German movement. Pivots buried under other plates, necessitating lubrication in steps, manual adjustments to the levers on the chime and strike mechanisms because the parts don't align automatically when installed, and installing the gathering pallet just right so the pins don't stop the rack from dropping. It was a learning experience for sure.
Hello there! I have the same clock New Haven Westminster cloister. It's working but need service do you offer restoration service and how much do you charge? Thank you Sir for your great videos
Hi, I have a New Haven mantel clock with the triple plate works. It matches the second clock on the video. Where can I find more information on the clock? Thx!
Hi Gary, if your looking to repair your clock go to my Patreon Clock Repair Channel www.patreon.com/user?u=68264177&fan_landing=true&view_as=public Happy New Year!! Al Takatsch
Let me ask you - I have purchased a Gustav Becker clock with disk pendulum (balance) and the fork is in peace - not in the middle and so after couple of minutes the it is stopping because it is not equally going left and right. How I can make a fork to put into a center position for later preventing stopping - since a pelet (hook) is not turrning s wheel. Sorry maybe I do not use a correct terminology. I was told that a top block but how - ??? I should unscrew something ??? Thank you and Merry Xmas.
if your looking to repair your clock go to my Patreon Clock Repair Channel www.patreon.com/user?u=68264177&fan_landing=true&view_as=public The online version of the Schatz Anniversary Repair Video can be found there. Happy New Year!! Al Takatsch
Excellent. I also like the way you showed putting the cover back on the spring barrel. I have always struggle with that. What is the sizes on pvc piping did you use? Thanks for sharing.
I believe I have this same clock. The hands are different. It has not been running since my grandfather died in 1981. Missing the pendulum. I am not up tp the task of restoration but could you give me a reference for who might? I also have his 1860's long clock built by John Field in Hitchin, England. That was serviced by a gentleman who has since retired.I live in Boulder, CO
You leave a lot out of the actual repairs you do, which we need to see - showing how you tell which bushings are bad, determining size of bushing,, replacement, how much end shake, setting in time, Sonic cleaning and solution, how you secured loose lantern, spring letdown clean and what lube, etc. You didn't level out high areas of pivots to match low worn areas. It's what we want to see is your skill and expertise, not just R&R. It's never redundant.
Good to hear from you Dan, keep up the good work! I signed up with Patreon.com and I am putting all my Ebay Repair Videos online for my students. www.patreon.com/user?u=68264177&fan_landing=true Al Takatsch Jefferson ClockWorks
Good to hear from you, keep up the good work! I signed up with Patreon.com and I am putting all my Ebay Repair Videos online for my students. www.patreon.com/user?u=68264177&fan_landing=true Al Takatsch Jefferson ClockWorks
Donald DeCarle’s book Practical Clock Repairing recommended stoning off the end of the arbor flat, tempering it to light blue, then drilling it. I’ve seen online people recommend carbon steel drill bits as HSS drill bits may be too brittle and break, especially for smaller size pivots. Any recommendations? Thank you, i’ve put your centering tool to good use. Long time since your last post.
Hi Al I have your video of this movement. I like the keyless Jacobs chuck. I have a Peerless 8MM lathe.Any idea how I can add that to my lathe? I am halfway thru CD#1. Love It! Thanks Bob
Antique watchmakers lathe accessories are expensive. I would continue to search for a better price if possible. On ebay search for 8mm lathe keyless chuck
I'm a long-time fan of Mr Takatsch, whose instructions and tool took the terror out of re-pivoting for me. These Asian clocks are interesting in that they are the result of some thoughtful re-engineering of the American time/strike clock. The design allows you to set the hour and minute hands separately (in most cases) and the long run time and reliable auto-beat feature makes the clock quite easy to set up and run. The escapements seem to last forever, but I wish they'd paid more attention to the winding arbors and the quality of the materials.
good video good explanation! I would also like to add a excellent running schatz that is textbook perfect. my favorite type of clock I try to stay away from any other type. in my experience most real clock repair shops do not like torsion clocks. even though they really are the simplest to take down. and few ever need pivot repair.
I have a problem with my Ridgeway cable driven clock. The chiming cable has broken and I need to replace it. Do you have a video to show how to replace a weight cable of a grandfather clock?
Ridgeway installed movements made by a couple of manufacturers. Please send me the numbers stamped on the back of the movement to match it up to one of our repair video's.
Your movement 461-853 was made by Hermle. It is not exact to the 1161-853 repair video, just similar. Even though the Winding drum is removeable, Hermle installed three cable plates on the bottom of the movement which block drum removal unless you disassemble the movement. This is not a simple job. This is one of the more advanced movements to overhaul.
Al, The bushing on the Strike side, 2nd wheel and count wheel combo on this movement, does it have to be made or is it something commercially made? I have this same movement. Great video also.
The first steps in movement repair is to remove the movement, the hands and dial as explained in my repair dvd on ebay. You then can see what's working and what's not. Is it easy? You'll need to decide that. Al Takatsch Jefferson ClockWorks www.ebay.com/itm/130605171057?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Great video. I've repaired clocks for over 40 years, professionally for the last 20. I have much machinery for creating wheels, pinions, etc. However, I always enjoy watching the art taking place and talking shop. Your videos are excellent for those just starting out. Keep up the good work. Even us old timers can learn a thing or two.
Thankyou Lester, learning the Art of Doing is my obsession. Its so much better if you have a friend with the same curiosity so that you can challenge each other. You never know what your going to try next. Happy New Year Al T.
Thank you Mr. Takatsch, I lucked into the guts (only) of a WmL Gilbert mantle clock and I'm going to replace a mainspring that has been wound way too tightly (it appears to me.) Is the let down tool just essentially a nut driver or does it ratchet? Would it behoove me to buy a let down tool and the spring clamp and just give it good cleaning? Thanks in advance for any help.
Thomas, Welcome to Clock Repair. The Let Down Tool is purchased with many sizes of adapters that fit most all sizes of square winding arbors. They have a Square Hole to safely hold the Winding Arbor. The handle is smooth plastic so you can throttle the grip as it turns slowly in your hand once you disengage the Click. Its only a let down tool, not a winding tool. The saying wound too tight generally applies to people, not clocks. A movement that has stopped can no longer unwind its own springs. The problem lies in the movement, when new the largest wheels turn with slight finger pressure when the spring is unwound. Actually that is the test if you did a correct overhaul. Even a half of a turn on the mainspring should make it work. If the springs are not rippled, set or cracked they should last another lifetime. I mentioned Overhaul not repair above, a movement has so many moving parts that all wear, get dirty at the same time. I find it far less time consuming to take apart a movement, clean and polish rubbing parts, replace worn bushings, assemble, time the striking train and run it on the test stand for a week. Takes me about 3 hours, this is after doing 500 American Clocks through the years. Your first few clocks will take longer. I sell a Gilbert Repair Video which puts you in the seat next to me as I Overhaul a Gilbert Time and Strike clock and Yak my head off answering all the questions I can think of. www.ebay.com/itm/131253120977?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 Thanks for Asking, Welcome to Clock Repair Al Takatsch Jefferson ClockWorks
Hi Al I have a grandfather clock - Hermle 451-050 I think. The Chiming is out of sync - 1 hour behind. e.g. at 11 oclock - strikes 10 etc. Is there any simple way to correct this? I am not a clock repairer/enthusiast regards Keith Rothwell Huddersfield UK
The hour hand moved. Next time it strikes, move the hour hand to what it is striking, then move the minute hand to the correct time. The hour hand is on a friction shaft. Checkout my Repair Video's and Specialty Tools on Ebay www.ebay.com/sch/al_taka3/m.html?item=130633032788&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESOX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
This man is most certainly an expert in the field of anniversary clock repair. Of that, there can be no doubt. This video appears to be oriented towards those who are at least somewhat familiar with anniversary clock repair and mechanical clocks. Some of the terminology used will no doubt become clear for pre-novices to the extent we study clock repair. It would have been great to have had this venue 45 years ago seeing my great grandparents' anniversary clock. These clocks, at least for me, represent the epitome of mechanical engineering based on designs going back to Newton and beyond. Thank you for sharing this excellent video!
Thank You Stephen, your thoughts are greatly appreciated. The Preview Video you have seen contains quick excerpts from the full length video on E bay. The almost 6 hour full length Repair Video takes you step by step through the repair and teaches all the terms used in this clock repair I have 24 preview videos here on RU-vid which gives my students a taste of many different repairs I have recorded. www.ebay.com/sch/al_taka3/m.html?item=130830543993&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESOX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562 Thanks Again Al Takatsch Jefferson ClockWorks
Thankyou, I do my best to show the easy way to do complicated tasks. The full video can be found on Ebay www.ebay.com/itm/130655534748?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1561.l2649 Al Takatsch Jefferson ClockWorks
