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Singing Bird Cage - restoration

Hayley

By Hayley
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Hayley New Member

Hayley

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Posted

Hi,

I have managed to get hold of a singing bird cage at a reasonable price after years of trying.

It's not working...I would like some advice on what solutions to use to clean it as I think it just requires a good clean, nothings broken.

Can anyone tell me what make of cleaner to use and what lubricant would be best, have attached photo's!

Thanks

 

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s-l1600-1.jpg

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Vich Distinguished Member

Vich

Posted
Posted

Hello Hayley and welcome.

Well I must admit that this is a first from my point of view and its outside of the norm for the forum.  There are so many members that maybe someone will know something ! 

I can see a mechanism in your pic with what appear to be plastic bellows and a regulator ? Try to work backwards through from the bellows to what and how someting is compressing them to how that something gets its power and how that power is supplied - wind up key ?

If it is a wind up operation it will involve a spring as the drive, giving a controlled level release of power to operate the bellows and perform any movements of the bird if that is applicable.  If it is a spring it may be wound up tight so be very careful if releasing that power or you may hurt fingers or eyes.

Really if the members were to help they need a tad more info and you would need to remove the movement for a better look.  If you are intent on diy, as you do so, take pics each time before and after removal of screws, bolts and parts generally.  Broken parts may present a problem with spares if they are needed so be careful.  Look for simple stuff first, has anything foreign got in there to jam the works.

Regarding movement parts, plastic is generally OK to clean with mild detergent and light brushing, metal parts of the movement could be cleaned in lighter fluid and in your position a light oil like sewing machine oil may be OK where metal touches metal on faster moving parts and 3 in 1 oil on slower moving parts to keep things simple but without a better view of the actual mechanism these are just guesses.  PS I have assumed it is mechanical if it is battery operated other info may apply.

I have deliberately kept away from complicating this help and hope that if others spot any flaws in my suggestions they will jump in to negate or supplement my advice.

Forum members here are helpful and often willing to give advice but I have to admit this is a new one for me,

Cheers,

Vic

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  • 1 year later...
Hayley New Member

Hayley

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So sorry I didn't reply, I didn't see this!

I have taken the mechanism apart and it's just a plastic cog that's broken, it's proving a massive problem but I am going to take it to a watch maker in Dorset who will hopefully be able to help. Will let you know how it goes! ☺

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Hayley New Member

Hayley

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Yes it is a pity but I wouldn't have been able to afford the antique variety.

Basically the only difference is the bellows are plastic and this one cog is plastic the rest is the same.

I will look into getting it cleaned but if I were to do it myself what's the best cleaner and lubercant for the spring itself?

Thanks

 

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Hayley New Member

Hayley

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Hi, yes me too, I had seen them on TV....never thought i'd get hold of one, it cost me £20 on ebay which was amazing! I knew what was wrong with it before I bought it but it's a nightmare to get or make replacement parts.

Just been so busy that it's been on the back burner for years!

H :)

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  • 11 months later...
Dan796 New Member

Dan796

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Except for the enamel painting around the bottom of the bird cage, I have this exact singing bird cage!

I'm interested in more info on restoring it.

the bellows are ruined, and a plastic gear on the flywheel is cracked.

Anywhere I can find parts? Replacement diaphragms? etc.?

Need feathers too!

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  • 1 year later...
jcrawford1 New Member

jcrawford1

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The splitting failure of the nylon worm gear seems to be a common problem in the Smechkenbecher/ Donau type singing  bird mechanism. That's why those mechanisms are so much cheaper than those from other manufacturers. At a minimum, it causes the mechanism to lag or skip on every revolution of the regulator fan and at worst it causes the movement to stop working. I think a good clock maker could refit the worm wheel and worm pinion/ fan with fan regulator wheels and parts from a sacrificial striking clock. At least that will be the next thing I will try.  I have two such birds and cages and both have the same problem.  I removed the nylon gears, reshaped them and epoxied them closed. They still were a problem. Then I molded them in Latex. I removed the originals and cast liquid plastic into the Latex molds. The result of the gears was minimal at best. There is no exact replacement gear available and having one cut from scratch is too costly.

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  • 3 years later...
ChrisVerhoeff New Member

ChrisVerhoeff

Posted
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On 4/13/2017 at 10:28 PM, Hayley said:

Hi,

I have managed to get hold of a singing bird cage at a reasonable price after years of trying.

It's not working...I would like some advice on what solutions to use to clean it as I think it just requires a good clean, nothings broken.

Can anyone tell me what make of cleaner to use and what lubricant would be best, have attached photo's!

Thanks

 

s-l1600.jpg

s-l1600-1.jpg

Hi, I'm looking for these diaphragms,  to no avail.  Do you or ANYONE have pics or details of these so I can have some made.

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