This tutorial from the ClockClass DVD selection, "The Telechron B-Type Rotor," shows a technique for restoring this integral component in antique electric clocks.
Guess I was expecting a little more in depth process on this service such as inspection of gears pivots and bushings and the procedure in that repair if needed. And adding of oil and what type. Just saying.
Hi Will- Thanks for your comments! ClockClass does have a 1h 20m DVD dedicated to the restoration of a Telethon B-Type Rotor which covers everything you would expect. There is also a free article which discusses the topic here... abouttime-clockmaking.com/pdfs/in_the_can_telechron_labounty.pdf. Hope that helps!
I totally get that this is the "correct" method to rebuild these rotors. Are there any recommendation for those of us lacking the serious and precision equipment demonstrated? Are there any recommendations, such as the "oil fill method", that sort of falls into the "better than nothing" service category? I would like to just help the movement last a few more years via preventative maintenance. Is there an modern accurate replacement for these motors?
Hi Richard- Telechron rotors will often develop wear problems in the bearing holes of the phenolic plates which causes the gears to either mesh closer together or farther apart. This results in depthing issues when the teeth bottom out (too close together) or butt (too far apart) and the increased friction causes the rotor to fail. Unfortunately, no amount of lubrication will solve this problem. There are no modern replacements for the B-Type rotors as they are no longer being made. You ask about inexpensive methods to help these along a few more years and those rotors that have seized up due to sticky lubricants, rather than due to wear, may be gotten to work with additional lubrication but at a risk of destroying the rotor. For example, the method of heating up the rotor so it will draw oil into the case as it cools risks wear of the phenolic wheel teeth since the oily sludge will act as a grinding paste. The method of drilling a hole in the housing to flush the old lubricant and fill with new risks damage to the delicate movement inside during the drilling process. If we still had a supply of these, and they were easily replaced, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend risky, inexpensive methods to try to get a rotor working again. Hope that helps!
