Posted 13 years ago
RonM
(126 items)
This clock was given to me thirty years ago by a girl I knew in high school. I cleaned and oiled it,but it always stops running after a short time.
Ansonia clock | ||
| Mantel Clocks604 of 716 |  |  |
Ansonia clock | ||
| Mantel Clocks604 of 716 | | |
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Posted 13 years ago
RonM
(126 items)
This clock was given to me thirty years ago by a girl I knew in high school. I cleaned and oiled it,but it always stops running after a short time.
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Hi Ron. Nice antique clock your friend gave you.
This looks very similar to an Ansonia Model called the "Unique". What are the case dimensions?
How did you clean the clock?
What kind of oil did you use? How and where did you apply it?
Is your clock level? When it is running does it tick evenly...tick...tick...tick or does it sound uneven like it has a limp....tick..tock......tick..tock.....?
Bruce,I cleaned the outside only with a damp cloth. I oiled the clock with Singer sewing machine oil.I'll measure and open the lid to refresh my memory as to where I oiled> As I remember, the clock ticked consistantly without a limp(It has been thirty years since I had it open,oiled, and wound).
Hi Ron,
Well, like any machine with moving parts, these mechanical clocks require periodic maintenance. If it is running constantly an overhaul is indicated every 4 to 5 years alternating with a simple inspection and oiling every 2 to 3 years.
The bearings get dirty. Old oil dries up, attracts dust and loses it's ability to lubricate. The bearings (pivots and bushings) are very small and require only a small amount of quality oil that resists evaporation. I'm not familiar with its properties but your choice of sewing machine oil was probably a good one. Clock oil, of course, is best. Some experienced clock repair folks that I know use a high quality, light viscosity, synthetic motor oil on their clocks. Applying a small drop of oil with a toothpick wet (but not dripping) is about right.
The mainsprings get dirty, or set (weak), or both. They need to be clean and lightly oiled or greased so that their coils unwind smoothly and completely over the course of the week that most of these clocks were designed to run on a single winding.
Clocks that are run without sufficient lubrication or while dirty have accelerated wear problems.
The clock looks fine as a decoration, but if you want to bring it back to life, I would recommend that you have a clocksmith look at it and give you an estimate for his or her service.
Is it heavy? It looks like an iron cased clock with black enamel paint. If you want to clean it up and polish it, I would use non-abrasive "Goop" hand cleaner. If you are very careful to stay out of the incised scrolling, you might want to use auto polishing (not rubbing) compound...but go easy and don't use it to clean. Then almost any good quality car wax will beautify and protect the enamel paint.
There are a lot of how-to videos on oiling clocks. Here's one that has some decent tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9YrBcKiHA4
You have some very nice items posted. Your motorcycles are pretty awesome. I don't ride but there is a Harley Factory not too far from here and a lot of folks love to bring them back out in the Spring!
TTYL
Thank you Too Late & Olega.Bruce,the clock is very heavy and I do have some goop to give it a good cleaning. I will probably never attempt to have the proper repairs done. The gift of the clock came to me two years after it was offered to me for $25 when I was broke.Along with it came a tip on a nice piece of commercial real estate the girls mother was selling. Almost thirty years later,I still have the clock and the building.The clock might be broke,but the rent comes in every first of the month.
You're welcome Ron. If you can get the clock running for a short time, it's probably not really broke, just in need of a little routine maintenance. You may find the right person who will do it for a reasonable rate in the future. In the meantime, just continue to enjoy it. That "Goop" is some good stuff, especially on these types of finishes. I always spot test, then I use a light, clean rag and keep applying to an area until the rag stays clean before moving on. It's amazing how much oil, dirt and grime accumulates over a century! If you have a good car wax (and with those beautiful cycles I'm sure you do) don't forget to finish up with it. A good landlord earns the rent, and you've been doing this for 30 years so you must be taking good care of business. Enjoy the clock. Ansonia made some very nice clocks. We love collecting them.