Grandfather Clock

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I have a long case clock, passed down through the family. Originally made in 1789. No real value as it was a cheap build, but we love it. Rope winding lasts 22 hours as the bottom of the case was sawn off at some time – probably rotten.
After cleaning and oiling with medium clock oil, there is a regular squeak every half minute which I believe comes from the escapement wheel. I did not oil the teeth of the escapement, should I have done as I think the squeak is caused by the escapement sliding over the wheel's teeth.
BobH

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Oiling

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

I would go ahead and put a small amount of your clock oil one the escapement, either the squeak will stop and hence be the source of the noise or it won't and you will have to search further. Either way, the escapement would benefit from the oil application.

Old brass sheet is invariably wrought and hence a little 'sticky'.

I would have thought that a clock from 1789 definitely had some value.

Brian

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 11/06/2017 07:03:38:

I have a long case clock, passed down through the family. Originally made in 1789. No real value as it was a cheap build, but we love it. Rope winding lasts 22 hours as the bottom of the case was sawn off at some time – probably rotten.
After cleaning and oiling with medium clock oil, there is a regular squeak every half minute which I believe comes from the escapement wheel. I did not oil the teeth of the escapement, should I have done as I think the squeak is caused by the escapement sliding over the wheel's teeth.
BobH

.

Bob,

As Eric says, a basic anchor escapememt does need a touch of oil on the teeth.

But; if the squeak has a half minute periodicity, it is likely to be due to eccentricity of the 'scape wheel on its arbor, … So a slight reduction of the depthing could help.

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 11/06/2017 08:17:49:

Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 11/06/2017 07:03:38:

I have a long case clock, passed down through the family. Originally made in 1789. No real value as it was a cheap build, but we love it. Rope winding lasts 22 hours as the bottom of the case was sawn off at some time – probably rotten.
After cleaning and oiling with medium clock oil, there is a regular squeak every half minute which I believe comes from the escapement wheel. I did not oil the teeth of the escapement, should I have done as I think the squeak is caused by the escapement sliding over the wheel's teeth.
BobH

.

Bob,

As Eric says, a basic anchor escapememt does need a touch of oil on the teeth.

But; if the squeak has a half minute periodicity, it is likely to be due to eccentricity of the 'scape wheel on its arbor, … So a slight reduction of the depthing could help.

MichaelG.

Could it be that the pendulum bearing has worn, dropping the anchor?

Apologies if this is meaningless – I am no clock expert.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

have you considered making an extension base to increase the fall. Then in 100 years it would known in the family as the bit grandpa Bob made himself out of real wood.

The pendulum should be on silk or a bendy bit of metal not a bearing. If the former you would have had to attend to it more often.

For anyone else coming to a clock for the first time remember to get proper clock oil that is formulated not to evaporate not WD40 which is designed to gum things up.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 11/06/2017 08:31:44:

Could it be that the pendulum bearing has worn, dropping the anchor?

Apologies if this is meaningless – I am no clock expert.

.

The pendulum is typically borne on a spring [like a strip of feeler-gauge] and connects with the anchor by means of a crutch … So, although your explanation is logically sound, it's unlikely.

Yes, the anchor pivot could be worn

Some close-up photos of the actual parts would be useful; so we can see what adjustments are available.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: Bazyle beat me to the post, but we're on the same wavelength.

Edit: Good illustration, here: https://goo.gl/images/BGKh0l

… and the parent article is well-worth reading [available on many sites]

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 11/06/2017 08:57:48

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 11/06/2017 09:05:54

[Roger WoollettParticipant @rogerwoollett53105]

Certainly oil the pallets/escape wheel teeth. Just put the tip of a small screwdriver into the oil and transfer the droplet of oil to the pallet face.

Also put a drop of oil on the pendulum where it passes through the crutch. If the pendulum is very loose in the crutch it might be possible to squeeze the crutch slightly. There should just be the slightest play.

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