Cottage Maintenance: Continued Care - Cleaning, Brushing, and Testing (Phase II) - E N Welch Cottage
Servicing an 1983 Antique Rosewood Shelf Clock: Bent Wheel Arbor Repair and More
An 8-day hour strike Rosewood veneered shelf clock from the early 1980s, part of Welch's Authors series, recently underwent servicing. The movement, though running prior to cleaning, was found to have a bent wheel arbor, a common issue in antique clocks of this era.
Bent wheel arbors, the delicate axles on which the clock’s gears rotate, can cause the clock to stop or run inaccurately. This particular arbor (S2) was noticed during the course of drying the parts. To address this issue, the bent arbor was carefully removed from its wheel without damaging nearby parts. It was then straightened gently using precision tools such as an arbor straightener or fine pliers.
In some cases, the bend may be severe or the metal fatigued, requiring the arbor to be replaced or re-pivoted by a skilled clockmaker. This clock, however, only needed gentle straightening to function smoothly once again.
The servicing also included the installation of six bushings (S3F, S3R and S4R, S5R, T2F, and T5R) to ensure longevity. Green waxy gunk was found in several places, contributing to accelerated wear. This was cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner and Polychem Deox 007 degreaser, and parts of the movement were likely sprayed with a water dispersant cleaning solvent such as WD-40.
A second wheel on the strike side was repaired, and a routine remaining bushing installation was carried out. The movement was running its full 8-day cycle after the servicing, a testament to the successful repair of the bent wheel arbor.
Additional common servicing considerations include checking chime functionality, pulley and pendulum adjustment, and ensuring the veneer and case are stable without warping or detaching wood layers. This clock, made of solid walnut in a deep brown colour, was found to be in reasonably good condition but had its share of issues.
Photographs were taken during the disassembly of the movement, and the clock is now ready to run for many years to come. This marks the second clock with a bent wheel arbor this week, highlighting the importance of regular servicing for antique clocks.
[1] Common issues found during the servicing of a 1983 antique Rosewood veneered shelf clock often include mechanical wear such as bent wheel arbors, pendulum irregularities, chime malfunctions, and veneer or case-related problems typical of wood aging. [5] Among these, bent wheel arbors are a frequent mechanical fault that can severely impact the clock’s performance.
This vintage clocks repair process, focusing on a 1983 antique Rosewood veneered shelf clock, addressed a common issue: the bent wheel arbor. such irregularities can be found within the fashion-and-beauty sector demonstrate that attention to detail is crucial, similar to home-and-garden projects, where maintaining the health of wooden pieces is essential for longevity.
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