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Clocks, Watches/Seth Thomas Beehive Clock
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Question
Dear Mr. Newman,
My Seth Thomas Beehive Clock has a broken pinion, on a pinion gear. The movement is a 113A, I was told it's the first gear off the main spring. I have the clock with a local clock repair person I trust in my town, he has shown me the movement removed fron the clock and play in the broken pinion gear. Do you know of any resources to replace this gear? I can supply photos if you think this will help. I thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerley,
Jim Hieb
Jim, not presently having that particular movement in my shop, I am not sure that I can match the complete wheel assembly from a model number. Yours might be repairable. What is broken on it? Is it a pin in the first wheel pinion, a tooth on the wheel or a pivot? Your clockmaker could answer this. If The complete wheel is needed, I would need the diameter of the wheel, the number of teeth, the number of pins (or leaves) in the pinion and the distance between the assembled plates of the movement (or the distance between the shoulders of the arbor pivots). To keep from filling the question queue, as I have a limit to the number of questions allowable per day, will you reply to my shop email address below? Thanks.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
(General Note: Due to the commitment I have for answering Allexperts questions and follow-up information,
and the excessive backlog at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer other questions from
this email address in a timely manner)
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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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