Really great tutorial, Mark. Straight to the points with good audio and video, without hemming & hawing, clearing throat, or other irritating nuances. Thanks for taking the time. I have this identical clock that I plan to freshen using your exact methods. Here's some info about that red flag power interruption indicator. This info comes from a Westclox clock that I repaired that uses the same sort of setup. It's a combination magnetism and gravity sort of mechanism. When the clock is plugged in and running and the flag shows non-red, magnetism from the running motor holds the flag in that position. When the power is lost the magnetism is lost and gravity causes the flag to drop into the red position. There's a small steel piece that is close to the magnetic clock coil that performs this interaction. It is super sensitive and oil should never be used to lubricate its bushings - clean those bushings completely with alcohol. I've also found that through years of use the steel surface that is attracted to the motor magnetism becomes magnetized itself, causing problems with the flag dropping. I've used an old tape recorder head demagnetizer on those parts with complete success. I learned that with patience you can get these flags to operate 100% correctly.
Thanks, I am aware of the magnetic nature as to how they operate. I have had more luck getting the ones to work where you flip the clock upside down to reset it, as compared to the ones with the stem on the back that needs to be turned. But I will check to see if the one such as in this clock has gotten magnetized, although I no longer have a tape recorder demagnetizer, those days are long gone!
Try a heat gun first and then apply the solvent. Most rotors have hardened oil that has stopped the gear train. Because there are other failures that are fatal, you want to run it before drilling in case there are worn gears or excessive play in bearing holes. Restorers salvage good gears and rebuild and re bush these older B2 rotors and provide a good service although, expensive. Great video and pleased to see you are still at it.
Thanks! I can try that to see if it frees up the rotor, so far I have not run into any gear issues that prevented it from running after the thorough clean out and re-lube.
Thanks I just bought this same clock at a thrift store. It's running, my question was about the power interruption dial. Why doesn't it turn when the power is on? There is a small weight on the rod above the coil, I guess that will bring it back to red when the power is off, what is causing it to turn to silver when running? This one has the dial all the way out and close to the brass plate. I think it is more visible this way. Any comments are fine. Vince.
The power interruption dial is held in place by the magnetic field showing white. When power is lost it drops to show red. You reset this clock by turning the stem. It doesn’t always work, it doesn’t work on mine either. I keep it on white. It’s not meant to turn when power is on. Some clocks have one that rotates, as if seeing it move let’s you know it’s working. But the second hand tells you that.
