Clock Restorer

[Martyn Wilkins 1Participant @martynwilkins1]

Hi

Just a hello, been a clock restorer as hobby most of my life, took the British Horological Institute exams when I retired. Most of my time has been hand making things, now want to start making clocks from scratch. wouldnt say I'm that experienced in general machining. Have a small Chester Milling Machine and a fairly new Chester Lathe which I enjoy, but I have Myford Dividing Kit and just bought some Myford Milling Gear, so coming to conclusion my Chester may be replaced by a good example Super 7 in the near future.

Very disappointed that Doncaster Show cancelled again this year, really enjoyed the last one I attended

[Martyn Wilkins 1Participant @martynwilkins1]

Martyn, Goxhill Lincolnshire

[Colin DParticipant @colind]

Welcome Martyn.

You'll certainly get plenty of good advice on here.

If I'm not mistaken, I think I bought a Pultra lathe from you last year.

Colin

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Hi Martin welcom to the forum. Is there a reason that the gears can't be cut on the Chester mill as I bought a dividing head for my mill and only had to alter the location keys on the bottom of the dividing head to fit the bed of the mill. Gear cutting is easier on a mill than on a lathe with lighter attachments etc I believe.

David

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Hello Martyn and welcome. I'm no clockmaker but I have restored a few and, like you, fancied making a complete one. I chose an English Regulator to a published design and really enjoyed making it although I chickened out of making the case, which was made for me by a local cabinet maker.

The clock keeps good time and looks good in the living room.

All the best with what you want to do,

Brian

[Clock polisherParticipant @clockpolisher]

Good evening Martyn,

I have no qualifications in horology but after spending over 30 years hitting things with hammers and burning lots of gas in the steel industry I fancied doing something calming in my retirement. I watched Steve Fletcher on "The Repair Shop" and decided to see if I could fix a clock.

I bought 9 longcase clock movements from EBAY, ranging from just needing putting back together to just dug up from the garden. I'm having loads of fun learning and sourcing equipment and parts.

I've just fitted replacement chain wheels into a William Preddy 30 hour clock that had run for about a hundred years with a toilet chain fitted. It's run for a week now, just need to work out how to get it striking at the correct time.

I use a modified Unimat SL for my turning jobs and have cobbled together a milling machine out of a pillar drill and various bits.

regards,

David

Edited By Clock polisher on 27/01/2022 19:35:57

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by Clock polisher on 27/01/2022 19:14:38:

……..

I've just fitted replacement chain wheels into a William Preddy 30 hour clock that had run for about a hundred years with a toilet chain fitted. It's run for a week now, just need to work out how to get it striking at the correct time.

……..

David

Edited By Clock polisher on 27/01/2022 19:35:57

You must be flushed with success, sorry, I'll take the dog out

[Clock polisherParticipant @clockpolisher]

Good evening Duncan,

Thanks for the first genuine laugh I've had in ages, I was beginning to think wit and comedy had passed away during lockdown.

kindest regards,

David

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Chinese saying … "Swinging chain means warm seat"

name withheld.

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