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Hello John,
I believe I am "up the creek" but wanted to ask someone who know a lot about my issue. My grandfather built the clock in question, I am told in the mid 30's. (he died long before I was born, so information on this is scarce. The clock movement is the issue. Its a electric (120 V AC) clock but is a chiming clock (has hammers to strike rods). No names what so ever on the movement. Pictures are available. My grandmother would spray starting ether on the movement before she died, to start clock again, as the movement would stop (presumably from the old lubricant drying up and stoping the movement, but she did this while the clock was plugged in! Surprised it did not blow up then and there. Again, pictures are available, the movement in the clock has very loose shafts, so I presume its not fixable. (Because of age and its unidentifiable manufacture). Any suggestions?
Dave, your clock is probably fixable, but depending on the problem, it might not be economical. The thing to do is to let an experienced clockmaker look at it and give you an estimate. Then you can make the decision. If you will send me a photo (to my shop email address below)of the front of the clock and the back of the movement, I will see if I can identify it. There were a few companies that made electric chiming grandfather clocks, off the top of my head I think Revere, Colonial, Hershede had some, but I'm not sure if they were all actually motor driven for the time. Some had motors that would wind the weights, others would use the motors for the chime and strike.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer emails on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)
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Answers by Expert:
John Newman
Expertise
As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.
Experience
One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.
Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Committee
Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.
Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology
Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)
Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama)
Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)
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