How to fix an antique mantel clock. Service & lubricating an overwound movement. DIY Ansonia repairs 

That is awesome Pat!! When you put out good vibes, the universe rewards you!! Thanks for commenting, you've made my day now! 😊😊

lets go brandon!

So glad things worked out for you. Reconciliation is a beautiful thing.

very uplifting story‼️®™️

Just what they want

Thanks Marty, I really appreciate this comment! When I posted this I was expecting some negative comments about not being a proper repair job from the "proper" clock repair guys - but it didn't really happen thankfully! The bottom line is that it is an effective and economic way to save a clock's life... and I really wanted to stop people spraying the movement in gallons of WD40! 😱🤣

In my personal opinion WD-40 should NEVER be around clocks... after a few months the liquid solution becomes Gummy solution and main reason why most clocks stop working...

Sound advise.

Exactly my thoughts, i take a bucket fill it with gasoline 4%oil and blow Air on the whole thing with my Compressor Air gun, that way it will create alot of pressure and bubbles when the bubbles burst it blows the dirt away, just like ultrasonic just remember, no smoking, wear gloves and gas mask and do it outside 😃👍🏻

Hello, my mantle clock has three key holes/ wind up holes at the front the first one will not move when you put the key in, the other two work fine I can hear them when winding them, I have taken the clock apart and cleaned and oiled it, but it still will not chime the hour, it will chime every 15 minutes, but not on the hour, ie two tolls for two Of O Clock ec cetera, can you give me some advise please.

Thank you Thomas! Good luck with your clock repairs - it is very satisfying! 😊👍

Agree 100 percent my friend... less and less of us work with our hands anymore... hope this finds you in decent health buddy...🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

Thanks mate! Yeah, I get numerous comments from the purists! But they can never answer how else to save a cheap clock economically! Thanks for the tips! Cheers from Oz!

That's awesome Adrian! Great work 👍😃🍻

Wow Troy, sounds like you'll be a busy boy! Good luck with it and thanks for watching! 😊

I'm sure you will mow your lawns in record time Bryan! 😉🤣 Thanks mate 😊

@@TheUltimateRecycler Ha ha! What I didn't mention is that there may be a "bit" of oil everywhere in my previous attempts to get the clock working. This oil will be good for the lawn mower engine. I may have sprayed down the entire mechanism with WD-40. Question: This is actually a 45 year old cuckoo clock. But, this approach should still work (maybe easier because this clock has no main springs). It's just that it looks so hard to get the mechanism out because of all the levers. I can see oil hanging off the music mechanism. ha ha

Awesome Phil, hope it went back together ok! 😊👍

Thanks Art.. it's great to read comments like this! Hope you have success! If it's trying to go - you should be fine 👍😊 Let me know..

Thanks stuntgirl, now you can correct all the things you shouldn't do! 🤣

Thanks Gord! Yes, enclosed springs make things a little more complicated! Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy your clock! 😊👍

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I need to do some more clock vids! 😊

Many thanks! 😊

@@TheUltimateRecycler 14:24

Wow, many thanks for that awesome feedback! 👍😊

Fantastic John!! That's the kind of feedback I love to hear! 😊

Absolutely great video. I 100% agree with you

Excellent! Good luck with your repair! 👍😊

That would be nice to get your grandfather's clock going again Scott! Happy to help and I wish you success 👍😊

Hopefully you have some success Cara! If the clock has been used a lot during it's life there's a chance it will be too worn to operate properly, but it's worth a try. This method is certainly not going to harm anything as long as the clock is re-oiled. Good luck! 😊

Yes, it is very rewarding! Thank you! 😊

Thanks for watching and your awesome comment!! I'm very pleased to have been some help to you!😀

Many thanks Terry, that's wonderful feedback! 👍😁 Welcome to the channel! 😊

Thank you Sandra! 😊

Yes, exactly Eric, much caution should be exercised! Those springs really pack a punch!

Sessions clocks have a reputation for weak ratchet pawls/click springs that when attempting to wind, the key will suddenly spin in your hand. I nearly lost a thumbnail while winding a Sessions tambour clock. Those springs pack a tremendous amount of power...(!)

Awesome! Thanks Doug! Good luck with the job 😊👍

That's great to hear Graham 😊

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Marko! 👍😊

Thanks Danny, glad you found this helpful! I hope your repair job goes well 👍😊

Thanks for watching Richard! 👍😊

Thanks Ovdiem, I appreciate you watching! 😊

Go for it Glen! 👍👍

Awesome! Go on - buy a clock! 😁

Thanks Paul, glad it was helpful! Good luck with your project 👍😊

Excellent, glad you found it helpful! Good luck with your project 😊👍

Thanks for watching! It's not the only way and not the best way - but it's probably the easiest and it does work!

That's great! Thanks for watching 👍😊

Thanks David, I'm pleased! 😊

Wonderful! Best of luck and yes - let me know 👍😊

Awesome Steve! Let me know how you go.. 😊👍

Fantastic Nick!! Let me know how it goes! 😊👍

Thanks Rob, that's great feedback! I'll be sprinkling my channel with all sorts of repair videos from time to time! I actually have two grandfather clocks to do at some stage!

Thanks ES, glad you enjoyed it! 😊👍

Thanks Colin! 😊

Thanks Dolores, hope you are successful! 😊👍

Thanks for watching! 👍😊

Thanks for watching! 👍😊

Thanks Marty! 😊

Fantastic - and well done to you for having a go! 👍😊

Haha, thank you!! 😀

Thanks AL, appreciate you watching and commenting 👍 Take care yourself 😊

Thanks for the detailed comment Jeff! Interesting! I don't plan on dabbling in anything radioactive!! 😱

Awesome! Thanks! 😁👍

Excellent Robert, good luck with your project! 👍😊

Ps thank you sir

That's great, good luck with your project 😊👍

Thanks mate, I do enjoy fixing mechanical things! 😊

Many thanks Jesse! 👍😊

Awesome John! Sewing machine oil should be fine, just don't use too much. Yes, definitely let me know how you go! 👍😊

Many thanks Kobus for the great feedback!😊 I'll try and address adjusting the beat in a future video! 👍

Many thanks John, I'm glad you are enjoying the content! 😃👍

Thanks Derek! 👍😊

Excellent, I'm happy saving anything from the scrapheap! 😀👍

That's awesome Johnny, I'm glad it was helpful 😊👍

Thanks for watching! 👍😊

Haha, hang the expense I say!! 😆😆

Many thanks Gary! 😀👍

Great Das, thanks for watching and I hope your repair job is successful 👍💪

Thanks Pythonaria, I appreciate the comment. Good on you for having a go - I'm sure you can do it! 👍😊

Thanks for your comment Stephen. Yeah specialist clock stuff is very expensive! I haven't done any clock repair vids for awhile - I'll have to get onto some!

Morning, Stephen - Just wondering if you've picked up any new clocks since commenting this, lol. It's rather an addictive hobby, this collecting old clocks!

@@davestelling Hi, thank you for getting in touch. It is an addictive hobby for sure, my wife keeps telling me I need help..even though I keep telling her I don't drink or smoke..haha. Although I have enough clocks, keeping them serviced or repaired when something happens does have a cost to it. My Seth Thomas #66 ships clock, which is the big one just went in for repairs. I have had it for 15 yrs. and was spot on perfect for keeping time and striking the watch bells. Recently it started running slow and no matter how I adjusted it couldn't get it on the correct time, then it went the other way and wouldn't slow down. I obviously suspected something was wrong when it was striking the 9:30 bell watch and it wouldn't stop until after 15 strikes. I knew something was wrong for sure and took it in, sure enough some issues causing problems. I had the clock serviced regularly, but it is from the 1920's and you don't know what was and was not done to it over the years, and things wear out and break over time. So, getting an estimate on it now. But, I need to learn to do some basics, at least properly oil my clocks which would save me some money. I am a hands-on person and a perfectionist by nature, so the intricate workings of a clock would not be intimidating to me. The guys at the Clockmakers Gallery here in Eugene, Oregon who service & repair my clocks are great, esp. Wes, and they give me a bit of a break on all the work I have done. But as you probably know, when pivots or bushings need replacing, the bill goes up. My most recent buy is "Neptune", a French clock from 1855 with a Vincenti movement and was designed by G. Rouillard. It was displayed at the Paris Exhibition in 1855. It is 94cm high and very heavy, the original finish has suffered overy the years but the clock itself has no damage. Got it on Live Auctioneers for $250, no one else was bidding on it which sometimes happens, esp. if the clock is in an auction that has nothing to do with clocks. Anyway, it was from Florida and when I got it looked like it had been in an attic for decades, really dusty. Took it in crossing my fingers the movement was okay, was running but that doesn't mean anything. Turns out there was rust on the movement and pivots etc. So needed to be taken apart and cleaned, pivots polished, etc. which resulted in a $900 repair job. So, you never know what you are getting at an auction. But, it is a very cool clock & I like figural clocks immensely. I have a pedestal for it that I have to make a bit larger platform that will fit the 14" base. The link below is of Neptune with 2 garnitures which I think may be the clock that was at the Exhibition. It is the only other Neptune I could locate, and I spent a great deal of time searching for it. It is in spectacular condition for sure. Anyway, thanks for being in touch! www.carters.com.au/index.cfm/item/494441-an-impressive-neptune-clock-garniture-in-bronzed-silvered-and-gi/

Glad it helped Andy, good luck with your projects! 👍😊

Thank you! Cheers! 👍

Thanks Jazz Man.. definitely give it a go! 👍😊

Thanks mate! 😊😊

I'm doing the case of another clock at the moment Zoe.. 👍😊

Many thanks! 😊👍

Good luck with your project Liam! 👍😊

Hi, I done as you recommended, I let the three springs down and gave it a petrol wash. Almost instantly the striker and the chimes began to move into life. The movement however did not show any sign of life,so I rewound it up to see if it would make a difference. But unfortunately it did not. I’m beginning to think there is a problem with that main spring and think I will have to remove it, it’s concealed within a small drum. Thanks Liam. Love your videos very concise and informative.

@@liamo9823 The petrol wash method isn't really suitable for enclosed mainsprings unfortunately. The only real way to free them up and re-lube them properly is to dismantle the movement and remove the spring from the barrel which is MUCH more involved than just a petrol wash. Some movements allow you to remove the barrel & spring without separating the main plates, but still removing the spring and reassembling can be tricky and a little dangerous as the springs can pack a real punch!

@@TheUltimateRecycler Hi Thanks, Really appreciate your detailed description. I think I will get it looked at by a professional. Thanks again. Liam

Good luck with it Jamie! Thanks for watching 👍😊

Thanks Rick! 😊

Thank you 😊

Excellent JJ, best of luck with your project 👍

Enclosed springs are much more of a problem Barry! Don't allow them to soak up solvents as it's generally a much bigger job to remove, clean & reoil them! Hopefully they are ok and just cleaning the rest of the mechanism, and re-oiling the pivots will get the clock going again. If not, a more major service is required.

.. and what would you charge in your shop to repair this clock Markus had I brought it to you in the first place?

You over lubricated the movement. Never lubricate the gear teeth or meshing trundles. The excess oil attracts dust and will eventually stop the clock. You do very nice work and I only saw that one little mistake. I’ve been repairing for 40 years and still learn new steps and processes every day. I might have come across as to critical with not enough explanation. I apologize. Like I said You do good work !

@@markuswatson2123 Thanks for your concerns, but I am wondering how closely you watched this video. At no time did I oil the gear teeth and I even explained exactly what you just said about attracting dust. You are correct in saying we never stop learning though, and I do welcome constructive comments from experienced clock repairers 😊👍

That's awesome AJL! Happy wife - happy life! 😊👍

Thanks Isabella! It obviously depends on the reason as to why it's not singing! A good clean and re-lube is going to fix most things -unless there's excessive wear or physical damage. Fingers crossed for you! 😊👍

Many thanks ECG. Yes it is an Ansonia 👍😊

Every clock is different in its repair requirements John. Small alarm clocks can be very fiddly, but may clean up and re-oil more easily than a larger clock. Many have excessive wear and require a complete dismantle and re-bushing which is much more complicated! Thanks for watching 😊👍

Good on you for having a go Rosalind - yep, just be careful and make sure you have good ventilation! 👍😊

Quite a number of people have asked about enclosed spring barrels. It does present more of a problem! I'll have to do a video of dealing with these soon. Thanks for watching Phillip 😊

Many thanks! 😊👍

Thanks Ross! Yes, enclosed springs do present a problem for this type of service. I actually discuss this in a video I did about repairing a broken mainspring. Thanks for your suggestions! 😊👍

Thanks Triad! A few have asked about that. I'd recommend not submerging the enclosed spring barrels as it is too hard to clean and re-lube the springs effectively. Just wash the movement as best you can with a brush to get all the pivot points clean. To do the job properly, the springs really do need to be removed - but that it a much more complicated job! Thanks for watching 👍😊

Thanks very much! 😊 Definitely no magnets required for the pendulum in a proper clock mechanical movement. They usually use magnets when the pendulum is only a pretend feature and not involved with regulating the speed of a clock. The movement in this case is usually a cheap quartz one requiring a battery.

Great comment Ray! My recommendations would be to wash & clean the movement as best you can without submerging the enclosed mainsprings. If the rest of the movement is nice and clean and freshly lubed, I would think that should allow a clock to run quite well without disturbing the mainsprings. If it doesn't, then the springs must to really dirty or damaged, which would really need proper dismantling and cleaning anyway. The risk of washing them out is that it would be really difficult to know if they are re-oiled properly. Too much oil probably isn't a major problem on the springs as they will squeeze it out when wound. It would be a bit messy though! Hope that helps. Cheers, Chris

Thanks for your comment BC. Yes - overwinding is an incorrect term used by people who don't know any better. As for the clean and lube - for your average common mantel clock this method is a great DIY way to prolong its life and give many, many years of life. I disagree with your suggestions that petrol residues will have a detrimental effect on a clock's movement - at least in our lifetimes! A watch, probably - but not a clock. People who just want to keep Granny's clock going will not take it to a pro and pay many times what the clock is worth even just to have it serviced! I'm sure you will be aware of the expense of having a clock professionally serviced - and equally aware of the low retail value of common mantel clocks these days. Cheers, Chris

@@TheUltimateRecycler My apologies if I came off as rude, just trying to caution people from trying this with a super complex, and expensive, clock. For the cost - in my experience, most will pay if the personal value exceeds the monetary value. The fix you've shown here will give it a few more years, at best (as I did catch sight of a couple badly worn pivot holes on your clock), but these American time & strike movements are pretty tough and can withstand that amount of wear for some time. But, ultimately, that movement will need a full service (overhaul) in the somewhat near future to continue functioning efficiently and accurately. For some actual constructive feedback - I would still shy away from petroleum-based solvents for the reasons mentioned above. However, some excellent solvents to use are trichloroethylene or, depending on local laws, you can use perchloroethylene or a chlorinated automotive brake cleaner. Use a small, stout, paint brush to clean out any dirt and dried oil from around the pivots, inside and out. A lengthier, but more affordable approach, you can also use degreasers like Simple Green or even Dawn dish soap with warm water and a brush, followed by a quick isopropyl alcohol bath to remove any moisture, and drying with a simple hair dryer. *Make sure to let the mainsprings down all the way so they can get cleaned properly, as well.* Now, for the average DIYer, this is a quick "rejuvenation" and can be successful in most cases, such as the mantel clock you've shown. Servicing a clock is, as you say, quite expensive, and mostly because the number of professionals have severely declined in the last 20 years. For a clock like that, it could easily cost $350 - $400 US for a complete overhaul, and takes 4-6 hours of work to complete properly. But the payoff is a reliable timepiece that will function for decades, and even longer with regular oiling and cleaning about every 4-6 years. It's a shame to watch the prices of these antique clocks continue to drop in recent years. Again, I apologize if I seemed rude. Take care!!

Oh and one last thing: Automotive oil is an ok lubrication method for the springs, but I've found automatic transmission fluid to be slightly better! :) Cheers!

@@BrackenClockWorks Thanks mate, some great info there. I didn't take it as rude, but as I get called a "cowboy who doesn't know what he's doing" from time to time, I automatically jump into defense mode! 😂 Yep $350-$400 US expense for a $100 clock shows exactly why most of these clocks simply don't get repaired at all and many do actually get thrown out! If people do have a rare or expensive clock, it should certainly be done properly - totally agree there. 😊

Yep, that's another option! 👍😊

Thanks Michelle! I like to keep things as simple as possible so that most can have a go at DIY repairs - on all sorts of things. I'm in Victoria, Australia. My lessons are my videos 😊

Hi Kym, yeah don't just splash oil around the cogs - long term it can do more harm than good! Perhaps something is just rubbing on the gear train which drives the chimes? You could certainly add a small dot of oil to each bearing point, but the teeth of the cogs aren't supposed to be oiled. Good luck 😊

Obviously the wrong type of plastic!! Thanks for watching and I'm glad it helped 😀

Ha ha . The same thing happened to me . The kitchen stank for ages !!!

Yes Bob, it's a big step for the inexperienced to consider disassembly! And it certainly adds a lot of time to the job even for the experienced! As long as there is minimal wear, no damage and the movement is not overly dirty, a careful re-oil can work wonders! 👍😊

Thanks mate! Well, my grandkids are nearly old enough to spend time in the shed! Hmmm - I may have to clean up a bit! 🤣🤣 As for skills - I'm sharing them for one & all on RU-vid! 😀 Thanks heaps for watching 😊👍

@@TheUltimateRecycler Pleasure's all mine bud...🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

Yep, sounds like a broken spring unfortunately!

I haven't done much work on Cuckoo clocks John, but if the movement is gummed up with old oil this method would probably work 👍