Expert: Martin Meyer - 9/5/2008

Question
My previous questions seems to be too complex, so I simply ask: How to I oil my pendulem clock and with what kind of oil??

Answer
Hi Mark,

You will need to remove the dial, which will require you to remove the hands first, then remove the movement from the clock. It's essential to use clock oil ONLY, never all-purpose or other oil. Inexpensive long-tipped oilers are available from clock supply houses, both empty or filled with oil. You will generally want to place a small drop of oil at each point where a pivot (gear shaft tip) enters a bearing hole in the front and back movement plates. Be careful not to use too much oil, or it will drip down the plate and draw the oil out of the oil sink (the chamfered circle around each bearing hole).

Also place a very small drop of oil on any three teeth of the escape wheel (saw-toothed wheel at the top of the time (pendulum) gear train. Apply a drop of oil to each click (the ratchet pawl that keeps the mainsprings wound). Observe the gear on the center shaft while you turn the hands. You will see that there is a clutch mechanism on that gear which allows you to turn the hands without causing the entire gear train to turn. Place a small drop of oil at the points where you see this clutch turning against the center wheel. Finally, place a tiny drop of oil on the flies (fans) at the top of the strike and chime trains where the fly turns on its shaft (if your clock is an "hour and half-hour strike" rather than a Westminster chime, it will have only a strike train, and no chime train).

You can also get a convenient bellows-type applicator filled with mainspring grease. Apply a small dab of this grease on several points of the star wheel which revolves to lift the strike hammer and make the clock strike. Finally, if your clock is a triple chime, apply a little grease to the stepped chime selector. This is a part inside the movement which moves up and down when you move the chime selector lever, and causes the pinwheel to move back and forth to select the correct chime.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com