Seth Thomas Alarm clock

[Mattaphysics]

So I sniped this Seth Thomas Alarm clock for day cheaper than I could ever imagine. The only problem was faulty shipping... The glass broke, plus the original paint is peeling off like a horrible sunburn.

 

I must say it's my first clock purchase and I love it. It's jewelled, probably mass produced, but it keeps perfect time... Seller said it was broke but the only problem is the alarm won't work. When I turn it now it won't click, the first time it did but when the alarm came to strike it just unwound and did nothing.

 

Now it just won't wind up period. I did figure out how to work the alarm before you ask that.... So I'm not sure what is wrong I took it apart which was easy enough... Putting it back in it's case is another story completely. So any ideas?

 

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[oldhippy]

With out taking it apart I cannot see what the problem could be. Here in the UK we do not get that many of those movements.

[Mattaphysics]

Ok so delving deeper then is a necessity. Well I'm working on getting a clock mainspring tool to let down the various mainsprings. Would a pin vise suffice for that? I have one that I'm almost positive would fit that.

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[Tmuir]

It could do in a pinch if it fits, but you really want something with a thicker handle, as you want to let it spin slowly in your hand to let down the spring and a pin vice may be hard to hold to let it spin slowly in your hand.

[oldhippy]

The safest way is screw the key on and let it down by hand, by releasing the click in stages. That way it won’t slip.  Using a pin vice could be a problem if it tends to slacken off you will have no control and damage might happen.

[Mattaphysics]

Here are some shots of the inside.

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[oldhippy]

Alarm work on this movement is the same as most on these small movements. It works like this. The alarm spring has power.

Black arrow part is held by red arrow part. When blue arrow wheel drops into the green arrow groove the red arrow part moves away from black arrow part allowing the alarm to work. I have shown the part that drops into place by yellow arrow.

[vinn3]

try this:     instead of using a "pin vice" to  "control the main spring let-down",  use a small drill chuck,  or  you can use a file handle and  a winding key barrel and try to make a "let down tool".   vin

[Mattaphysics]

Do I had trouble removing the hands but got em. I took it apart cleaned it and... I screwed the hair spring up somehow! Where can I get one? I've tried searching but am unsure what it is I should search for. Oh I'm just up to my ears in crap I need to find and get. But it seems like it's something wrong with the Barrell or the star wheel/ striking train. It doesn't want to wind or something like that. Not sure

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[oldhippy]

You will need the cal number for any of the parts. Are you sure you haven't mixed the barrels, arbors, clicks or any of the winding up parts. There is no strike train. What you have is an alarm works which consists of barrel, star looking wheel and hammer.

[Mattaphysics]

Right yes, I only used the phrase "strike train" for lack of any better term. But thank you for clarification. So just look up the serial # w/ the term "parts" to find what I'm looking for?

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[oldhippy]

That's OK. Just let me know if you need any help.