Expert: Michael Radi - 1/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: i purchased a gustav becker old mantel clock. when i wind the clock it stops working.  it has two places to wind , should i wind both places. it really could use a cleaning and oiling also. i would love to do this myself. what do u recommend for this procedure. aloso i would love to find a book or manual for working on these clocks. thanks jeff

ANSWER: Yes, you can wind both mainsprings all the way up until they stop.
Regarding oiling and a good clock repair book:
I suggest the Clock Repair Primer by Balcomb. You can see it here:
http://www.norkro.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_i
Also, you can get a clock oiler with oil already in it. They have a hypodermic needle to apply the oil. You can see that here:
http://www.norkro.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26&products_i
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Michael

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for the answer to my ?. also i wondered how often i should wind the clock.and you say to wind it all the way up also.

Answer
You can use an ammoniated cleaner like the one at this page:
http://www.norkro.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25&products_i
It's a concentrate: One pint of cleaner mixes with 8 parts water to make about one gallon of cleaner. You don't need an ultrasonic machine. You can soak the parts in a tub of cleaner for about 20 minutes and scrub them with a toothbrush. Then rinse the parts with water and dry them with a hair dryer. The parts must be rinsed and dried completely or they will rust and corrode.
You must disassemble the movement to clean it. The main reason for this is the mainsprings. The only way to completely remove the cleaner and dry the mainsprings is to remove them from the barrels so the coils open up.
If the mainsprings are not in barrels you can let the power down(carefully! there is a procedure for doing this) so that the coils open up, and clean, rinse and dry the movement.
Most clocks are 8 day meaning you wind them once a week. Some clocks are 30 hour type and are wound once a day. Other clocks are wound once a month but as I said; most are 8 day.