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Clocks, Watches/Mauthe Mantle 500W Movement

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Expert: - 9/7/2009


Question
This clock has been gaining about 1 1/2 hours every five hours. It has a floating balance Which seams to be working ok. I found one of the two pins on the verge pallet broken off.Do you know if there are parts available for this or can the pins be replaced?
                                                 Thank You
                                                 Richard

Answer
Richard, of course Mauthe is out of business but some parts on these movements were standard and many are still being made.  Is it possible for you to email me a clear macro photo of the pallet fork?  My shop email address is below.  There might be one available.  If one of the pins is still okay, it can at least be measured and the other pin replaced.  These pins are made from hardened steel and sometimes the broken pieces are difficult to extract.  There are methods for doing this.  Care has to be taken in not destroying the pin hole, as the new pin has to be positioned with accuracy.  An experience clockmaker could do this for you.

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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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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