Posted 12 years ago
DASPICKSTER
(27 items)
Here's a grandfather clock that I stumbled upon on my local Craigslist last Sunday morning. All the posting stated--Old grandfather clock--doesn't run--dirty--tired of look'n at it--get it out of my carport--$50.00.
I boiled the tires on my truck getting there to buy it. The picture on the left is how I found it and the pic on the right is it running and chiming in it's new warm home. Another clock saved! I'm still cleaning the exterior but i'm using Howard Orange Oil Cleaner/Polish and a box of Q-Tips. Howard brand items are THE best.
So what did you need to do to get it running?
When I started working on the clock the first thing I noticed was that one of the chains was somehow run through 2 on the winding wheels at the same time which lock the entire movement up. the other chain--for the hour count chime--was on backwards. Luckily whoever did this never yanked down hard on these chains because that would've been end game for the movement. Next I gave it a good oiling---don't give me the hairy eyeball---I use 0W20 Mobile 1 oil as my clock oil. LOL!
Making sure I found a place to set it I got my bubble levels out and got it level and cranked it up. And it did crank up surprisingly.
Oh--I found the missing chain and weight in the bottom of the clock case for the run part of the movement.
So you properly set up the clock and used some type of oil on it to get it running. In my experience, oil formulated for engines tends to evaporate more quickly than clock oil. I also believe that it's not formulated for brass but if you're using it on your clocks then you're able to keep a close eye on things. I definitely wouldn't use it on a clock I was repairing for someone else though but that's just me.
Nice pick. It's hard to beat that for $50!
Some people have all the luck! OK, its come my way more than once but I can still envy.
I hope you ask if there was anything eles they were sick of while you were thier...lol
nice find....
Hi Bruce--I've got 1 bottle left of my real clock oil. It's used when I'm sure things are going to run right. The grand father clock will get another "CHECK-UP" in about another month and the correct oil. Take it slow and have a great week.