Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/14/2009

Question
After helping a fried with a massive yard sale, they insisted that I pick out something for my time. I had kept my eye on an old mantel clock and so that's what I selected. When I did, they said that they could never get it to chime. That was all I needed! This was a Revere #414 clock that had the cord replaced. After researching the web, I found out why it would not chime; the bar was raised so it wouldn't!. After plugging it in, it did chime but the sound was really bad. I followed instructions on how to remove the movement and found that 3' of the new cord was stuffed inside the clock and ended up around the chime bars! I have now taken it all apart so I can start working on the wood. The ST clock is #1614 and was bought as a non-working unit. I replaced it's cord and it now chimes.

So here are my two questions: 1 - cleaning the movement. I don't have the financial means to buy an ultrasonic cleaning, so once I take them totally apart, I will have to clean the parts by hand. On another post, a solution was given:
Oleic acid      2oz liquid
Acetone         4oz liquid
Strong Ammonia  8oz liquid
Water           1 gal

Would you be so kind as to give further instructions on how to do this correctly and also if the ultrasonic cleaning solutions I found will do the same thing. Both movements are just dirty; all gears appear to be good with no worn teeth and pivots look good. After cleaning, I will need to oil the movements as well, so I need help with that as well.

Question #2 - refinishing the wood cases. The Revere clock is in good condition and doesn't need refinishing, but I do need to fill some places on the bottom. What product should I use? The ST clock does need to be refinished. I've read ALOT of pros/cons on stripping vs. sanding. I do have woodworking skills and am aware that I'm dealing with veneer which is thin. What do you recommend? The lacquer has chipped in several places, but not enough to damage the veneer.

Thank you for your time Martin!!

Answer
Hi Lynn,

Cleaning and overhauling a movement is a long and complex process, and is far beyond the scope of this forum. However, I can give you some general information.

First, regarding repairs. I take it from your question that you have separated the main plates and removed all the gears. Bear in mind that in the chime and strike trains, some gears must be indexed to each other, and other levers and parts must be set up quite precisely. If you are not extremely familiar with clock repair, you will probably need some additional information resources to do this so that the clock will chime. I'm afraid I can't direct you to a specific resource for electric chime movements.

All professional clockmakers replace any worn bearing holes with bushings, and polish all pivots on a lathe. You may or may not be able to skip this step, depending on how much wear is in the movements.

Regarding cleaning solutions: there are excellent clock cleaning solutions available from clock supply houses. While clockmakers all have their preferred solutions, in my opinion, the commercial solutions are best. I have used the (approximate) formula that you state, and have not personally found it to be nearly as effective as the commercial solutions. You will find it difficult to mix the oleic acid, which is very oily, with the water. Note that the ammonia referred to is nothing like the "ammonia water" used in household cleaning. Chemical-grade ammonia is extremely toxic and quite dangerous to use, as is acetone to a slightly lesser degree. Acetone is also extremely flammable. This is not to say that the commercial solutions are not toxic or dangerous; they definitely are.

Cleaning can be done without an ultrasonic cleaner. Soak the parts in the solution for about one-half hour then, wearing appropriate chemical-resistant rubber gloves, clean the parts manually with brushes. Toothbrushes work well, but the solution sometimes dissolves their plastic.

I cannot give you any information on the case work, as this is not my field of expertise. I would recommend consulting a woodworking expert on Allexperts.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com