Clocks, Watches/Mauthe Clock

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Expert: - 10/7/2010


Question
QUESTION: Need a escape wheel for Mauthe mode W400 or someone that could repair mine. I know how to repair it but don't have small enough drill nor skills to do it. The movement is out of a Seth Thomas mantal clock.
James
Thanks

ANSWER: James, which part do you need to drill?  And do you need the complete arbor and wheel assembly or just the wheel?  What is the diameter of the wheel and number of teeth?  There are possibly replacements available at the supply houses or one of my Internet Clocksmiths members might have one.  We also a member that can make one, but it would be quite a bit less expensive to find one, even if it takes a little time.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama





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

QUESTION: Hope I'm doing this right. I broke a pivot off. The wheel is (close as I can measure)11/64" radius. It is .015" thick. It has 15 notches which an opening width of about 3/64". The gear has 7 teeth. The gear is about 3/32" long from the wheel and the pivot is about 1/32" long with a .009" diam. Would a picture help? I'm in Chattanooga.

Curtis

Answer
James, your description is close enough.  We measure the wheel in diameter and by the thousandths.  So, 11/64" radius would be 11/32"  or .344" dia.  The thickness is not critical.  I think you are referring to the escape wheel which we identify by teeth rather than notches.  So it would have 15 teeth.  The gear you refer to is called the pinion. It is rather critical by specification.  Now that I read that the pivot is .009", you must be referring to a platform escapement which is an assembly in itself.  I do not do these, but take them to a watchmaker who can restaff and vibrate them.  That means that the balance staff will be replaced or made, balanced and timed.  If I have assumed anything incorrectly, let me know.  Clock supply houses do have the platform escapement assemblies, but you have to understand and give them all the pertinent specs to obtain the correct one.  Timesavers has an online catalog and you can enter "platform" in the keyword box.  The assemblies are in the $50 and $150 range, depending on the one that would work, and then sometimes the mounting has to be modified.  In the meantime, go ahead and send me a clear photo of the escape wheel and/or the balance wheel assembly.  To free up the Allexperts queue, send it to my shop email address below.

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 personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)  

Clocks, Watches

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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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