Beginners clocks

RichardHarris123 · March 4, 2023

Hello all.

Which clocks are the best for beginners? I assume that I would be able to work on the mainspring as I don't have a winder and won't be working on enough clocks to justify buying one.

Willow · March 15, 2023

Single train Enfield clock

watchweasol · March 15, 2023

To work on clocks safely a spring winder is a useful tool when replacing broken springs, expensive to buy but quite sraightforward to make. If you need one I have the plans somewhere. I built two and a third partially done. Cheers

As also are letdown tools for the removal of power again simple enough to make.

RichardHarris123 · March 15, 2023

I'm good at making things, send me the plans. Please.

oldhippy · March 15, 2023

You should start on 30 hour alarm clocks, no mainspring winder needed. Get to know how it works and what the parts are called. They have a very simple balance.

watchweasol · March 16, 2023

As Olh hippy said alarm clocks are a basic movement and not to be dismissed as training pieces. Although the mainspring doesn’t need a winder it still needs treating with respect as it can still give nasty cuts and the use of clamps is recommended.

Will look up the plans Richard, and pass then on.

Hi Richard, just type in google how to make a clock mainspring winder. There seems to be a lot on the web now so plenty of designs to choose from. a cheap let down tool is a metal tube with a slot cut in the end to fit over the actual key fitted into a handle , and by releasing the click and allowing the handle . to slip through the hand with enough force to have a braking action on the tube this will allow the spring to un wind under tension. You may wish to purchase the retaining shells or a set of clamps or maybe even make your own shells as you need them/ cheers

RichardHarris123 · March 19, 2023

Thanks. How do I recognise a decent movement? I can pretty much tell just by looking with watches but no idea about clocks.

oldhippy · March 19, 2023

What type of clock are you thinking about?

RichardHarris123 · March 19, 2023

Something basic as it would be my first clock. Probably a mantle.

oldhippy · March 19, 2023

A time piece with pendulum. You will need a mainspring winder. Most clocks have the springs in barrels apart from American clocks. Before I go any further I'm just going to look on ebay and see what I think would be best for you to start with.

Not much in just a timepiece. I have found these apart from one the rest are strikes but they are all working and not to expensive. I can help you with any of these it will not be a problem.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304830524278?hash=item46f950ab76:g:yYYAAOSw3-pkB2yx&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwAvPQit9ZbKPrlnlP2uJJnfwyxQLyr%2FIhkpDbk4DNLsQI%2FUI%2BtYPZ4yV4VHMwYi%2BkeX5xd%2BpGo%2BvDZxn8VVchcWSC%2B32PXaaxt2Y76CZx%2FejnYTVK%2Fe7I38P1YPdaMfdiIsETi1yixsK6%2Bd2i7YIHkOqgL4nOOOYw1L2c9piDkFsbx3rVNJ%2ByhS02GNpxgEghABwFUpHIjeWL8iANMiGo3%2Ba2h4B6mQ4Wi6h%2FWM9En67l2qzebZzTT9m7%2F8LyhVGRQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9bWwZ7fYQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125825465653?hash=item1d4bc83d35:g:CoAAAOSwGV5kEvLQ&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwFaqfYJ87qWPVjv8haLw10p6bIk3M5CT6Yq3F%2BJIyf4jPsM8kV1z8rJ9WWQ9TcYPQ1e0bF0wgeb0JHk4gRqZD2v0a7W9xAZZFaCkZjDvDQ6Bp8IgRgovLQHnuWLTJo1JmtR09r%2Fy27pcy4Pbjte78d7CWz2llBqyAes5dpVz4aKmz4BMym10U0ucCiSMUXjyRXBqFcADfNhhJou56UNCFLP10nmqbptxFXPg2TmIz9kasGGfmyIT9KwlyePRJ%2FcSCg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6LK_p3fYQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404204572982?hash=item5e1c785136:g:dCIAAOSwGfNkEigJ&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwOJSDOHEVJUYcFo5EcbaWdD2vrecPtcawgOC7MBTshQ7W1uA%2BZC3abFdr2%2F2Oyzo7RJlZ5C0VTH9iEp%2BG1RDsyElSOv5Qse8INDAU9PNXl%2F3gDdd4S0VqrPBo2s4LOVc3TMmROWwJBZYRMY2%2BaCgdCEBLKoIf8QCSnwEBBzP3LULni4%2BjFPrzRCCGxYjF%2BuSDXjhqKFWC8da1GVLYJjPmoH61u59VogaZ7WKwt61TRbFUXjOJUqMZp6Txa2X%2BFTREQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR97SnJ7fYQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304830524278?hash=item46f950ab76:g:yYYAAOSw3-pkB2yx&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwAvPQit9ZbKPrlnlP2uJJnfwyxQLyr%2FIhkpDbk4DNLsQI%2FUI%2BtYPZ4yV4VHMwYi%2BkeX5xd%2BpGo%2BvDZxn8VVchcWSC%2B32PXaaxt2Y76CZx%2FejnYTVK%2Fe7I38P1YPdaMfdiIsETi1yixsK6%2Bd2i7YIHkOqgL4nOOOYw1L2c9piDkFsbx3rVNJ%2ByhS02GNpxgEghABwFUpHIjeWL8iANMiGo3%2Ba2h4B6mQ4Wi6h%2FWM9En67l2qzebZzTT9m7%2F8LyhVGRQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9bWwZ7fYQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144990817418?hash=item21c2204c8a:g:qOYAAOSwa8dj~i5E&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4IcJCTuK%2BS87Ovzl7WFf6Qj7F%2BxUBDZ%2B%2FU2eCjXGUwOsoTrAhp5b5tzxqxgCA5dHAwi8nYlRPDjWCXsXAgkwVjfXyopbMsnayDumzUrkrM4z1CL9mQZ8aYuErT8LqfaH2AEvIbQFStIaTzEiu1%2B5gVThY7gmxh3VtVJv1ytAeKgFA1Tkz4gkIvxl%2FQCMuN4y2ACf9OzOKktmHeG6yhkX61GOTZtPr4JH6nH8TVcZq%2FpD17HwOYgR3mGZ6TrgALBTkEalaCD21wCg%2BR%2FFbZ%2B0RQ5IM0%2F3djGHeequVs7VXSbV|tkp%3ABk9SR-Dx2J3fYQ

Edited March 19, 2023 by oldhippy

RichardHarris123 · March 19, 2023

Thank you.

RichardHarris123 · March 19, 2023

On 3/19/2023 at 12:29 PM, oldhippy said:

A time piece with pendulum. You will need a mainspring winder. Most clocks have the springs in barrels apart from American clocks. Before I go any further I'm just going to look on ebay and see what I think would be best for you to start with.

Not much in just a timepiece. I have found these apart from one the rest are strikes but they are all working and not to expensive. I can help you with any of these it will not be a problem.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304830524278?hash=item46f950ab76:g:yYYAAOSw3-pkB2yx&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwAvPQit9ZbKPrlnlP2uJJnfwyxQLyr%2FIhkpDbk4DNLsQI%2FUI%2BtYPZ4yV4VHMwYi%2BkeX5xd%2BpGo%2BvDZxn8VVchcWSC%2B32PXaaxt2Y76CZx%2FejnYTVK%2Fe7I38P1YPdaMfdiIsETi1yixsK6%2Bd2i7YIHkOqgL4nOOOYw1L2c9piDkFsbx3rVNJ%2ByhS02GNpxgEghABwFUpHIjeWL8iANMiGo3%2Ba2h4B6mQ4Wi6h%2FWM9En67l2qzebZzTT9m7%2F8LyhVGRQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9bWwZ7fYQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125825465653?hash=item1d4bc83d35:g:CoAAAOSwGV5kEvLQ&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwFaqfYJ87qWPVjv8haLw10p6bIk3M5CT6Yq3F%2BJIyf4jPsM8kV1z8rJ9WWQ9TcYPQ1e0bF0wgeb0JHk4gRqZD2v0a7W9xAZZFaCkZjDvDQ6Bp8IgRgovLQHnuWLTJo1JmtR09r%2Fy27pcy4Pbjte78d7CWz2llBqyAes5dpVz4aKmz4BMym10U0ucCiSMUXjyRXBqFcADfNhhJou56UNCFLP10nmqbptxFXPg2TmIz9kasGGfmyIT9KwlyePRJ%2FcSCg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6LK_p3fYQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404204572982?hash=item5e1c785136:g:dCIAAOSwGfNkEigJ&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwOJSDOHEVJUYcFo5EcbaWdD2vrecPtcawgOC7MBTshQ7W1uA%2BZC3abFdr2%2F2Oyzo7RJlZ5C0VTH9iEp%2BG1RDsyElSOv5Qse8INDAU9PNXl%2F3gDdd4S0VqrPBo2s4LOVc3TMmROWwJBZYRMY2%2BaCgdCEBLKoIf8QCSnwEBBzP3LULni4%2BjFPrzRCCGxYjF%2BuSDXjhqKFWC8da1GVLYJjPmoH61u59VogaZ7WKwt61TRbFUXjOJUqMZp6Txa2X%2BFTREQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR97SnJ7fYQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304830524278?hash=item46f950ab76:g:yYYAAOSw3-pkB2yx&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwAvPQit9ZbKPrlnlP2uJJnfwyxQLyr%2FIhkpDbk4DNLsQI%2FUI%2BtYPZ4yV4VHMwYi%2BkeX5xd%2BpGo%2BvDZxn8VVchcWSC%2B32PXaaxt2Y76CZx%2FejnYTVK%2Fe7I38P1YPdaMfdiIsETi1yixsK6%2Bd2i7YIHkOqgL4nOOOYw1L2c9piDkFsbx3rVNJ%2ByhS02GNpxgEghABwFUpHIjeWL8iANMiGo3%2Ba2h4B6mQ4Wi6h%2FWM9En67l2qzebZzTT9m7%2F8LyhVGRQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9bWwZ7fYQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144990817418?hash=item21c2204c8a:g:qOYAAOSwa8dj~i5E&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4IcJCTuK%2BS87Ovzl7WFf6Qj7F%2BxUBDZ%2B%2FU2eCjXGUwOsoTrAhp5b5tzxqxgCA5dHAwi8nYlRPDjWCXsXAgkwVjfXyopbMsnayDumzUrkrM4z1CL9mQZ8aYuErT8LqfaH2AEvIbQFStIaTzEiu1%2B5gVThY7gmxh3VtVJv1ytAeKgFA1Tkz4gkIvxl%2FQCMuN4y2ACf9OzOKktmHeG6yhkX61GOTZtPr4JH6nH8TVcZq%2FpD17HwOYgR3mGZ6TrgALBTkEalaCD21wCg%2BR%2FFbZ%2B0RQ5IM0%2F3djGHeequVs7VXSbV|tkp%3ABk9SR-Dx2J3fYQ

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Bought this one . £22.50. No doubt I'll need lot's of help but I'll do some research before asking the forum.

oldhippy · March 19, 2023

Smiths strike. Good one plenty of spare parts you can still get hold of, very common movement and videos on youtube about the movement. Not a bad price as well.

watchweasol · March 19, 2023

Nice choice Richard as Old Hippy said plenty of parts and simple enough to start with.

RichardHarris123 · March 19, 2023

@oldhippy suggested some options so I wouldn't buy rubbish. It will be a while before I get around to working on it and I'm sure I'll need plenty of help.

Martyd · March 22, 2023

Hi all

Recently watched an episode of Repair Shop where the resident clock repairer Steve Fletcher whom is certified repairer install a main spring in a barrel by hand, which i have have myself, but only for my own clocks before buying a main spring winder. OI really don't understand how these programs can show bad practice.

HectorLooi · March 22, 2023

On 3/22/2023 at 3:03 AM, Martyd said:

Hi all

Recently watched an episode of Repair Shop where the resident clock repairer Steve Fletcher whom is certified repairer install a main spring in a barrel by hand, which i have have myself, but only for my own clocks before buying a main spring winder. OI really don't understand how these programs can show bad practice.

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Really? Which episode was that?

oldhippy · March 22, 2023

I know the feeling there are some butchers on Youtube, many should never be near a clock. The one that I'm always rattling his cage is someone called Scottie now he really is a test, he takes movements to pieces but never shows the actual repair then he films putting the movement back together, and he never replies to my questions.

Willow · March 22, 2023

On 3/22/2023 at 7:31 AM, oldhippy said:

I know the feeling there are some butchers on Youtube, many should never be near a clock. The one that I'm always rattling his cage is someone called Scottie now he really is a test, he takes movements to pieces but never shows the actual repair then he films putting the movement back together, and he never replies to my questions.

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Yes i know what you mean about Scottie, he always just takes them apart cleans them mentions about putting in new bushes, puts them back together and hey presto they are working even on a Westminister chime he recently worked on. And now he has members paying him.

oldhippy · March 22, 2023

What a bunch of suckers.

RichardHarris123 · March 22, 2023

Please name some reputable sites.

oldhippy · March 22, 2023

The only person I recommend on Youtube is Tommy Jobson, but he is for the very advanced clockmaker. You might like to take a look at what he does. I love watching him because a lot of what he shows is what I did many years ago. I'll have a look on the net and see what I can find. You can always ask me for help and advice I like helping.

Edited March 22, 2023 by oldhippy

RichardHarris123 · March 22, 2023

I have received my clock. I know all of you will give me as much help as necessary but I need to help myself before asking for advice. My first step is to learn the parts, next step to understand if there are any pit falls to disassembly, finally reassembly and case restoration.

Where's the best place to learn the anatomy of the clock? Any pit falls to disassembly? Further questions to follow.

On 3/22/2023 at 9:19 AM, oldhippy said:

The only person I recommend on Youtube is Tommy Jobson, but he is for the very advanced clockmaker. You might like to take a look at what he does. I love watching him because a lot of what he shows is what I did many years ago. I'll have a look on the net and see what I can find. You can always ask me for help and advice I like helping.

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