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Clocks, Watches/wd40 and my clock movement
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Question
Hi John. I have a Howard Miller Grandfather clock that was purchased in 1981. I have removed the movement and done all my own lubing with a medical syringe and clock oil.I have used wd 40 with a plastic tube on the bushings as a cleaner. I then take a shop vac with a small suction hose (1/2 in dia.) and suck out the excess wd40 and the crud it loosens. I then relub the bushing with the clock oil.Seems to completely clean them. Is this an acceptable practice?
Jim, field cleaning and oiling as you have done is acceptable with some clockmakers, and others prefer to perform a complete breakdown. I take service calls on grandfather clocks in homes and make the decision depending on the age and condition of the movement. If your clock has not been serviced since it was purchased (29 years ago), I would think it might have some wear.
I recommend a clock be serviced every 7 to 10 years, which includes cleaning, inspecting for worn parts, and replacing or repairing them, lubricating and testing. Now for the part that we do not do, and that is use WD-40 on clocks. I use WD-40 for many applications and it works very well, but not on clock movements. It sounds like you have done it the best way to remove the debris and the WD-40. However, some of it does remain and I'm not sure it is compatible with clock oils. There are many clock shops that will not take in movements that have been serviced with WD-40 for this reason. Other shops will charge additional fees for multiple cleanings to insure that all traces are removed. How can they tell? WD-40 has a distinctive odor. This is all an opinion, but it is pretty much in line with the 800+ members of my Internet Clocksmiths Group. And we do discuss the aspects of lubrication and application quite often.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
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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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