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Clocks, Watches/mounting a hermle 451-050 to clock cabnet

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Expert: - 1/7/2011


Question
Mr. Newman I would like to build mission style tall clock using hermle 451-050 94cm/66 that I ordered several years ago. I ordered plans for the clock also but they were not clear at all on how to mount clock works to cabinet please help. Thanks

Answer

Hermle 451 movement mo
Marvin, it's always great to hear about someone building a clock!  Mounting it is not too bad.  You secure two mounting cleats, one on each side of the inside of the case hood.  I would use 3/4" X 3/4" stock.  Then I would mount a 3/4" stock horizontal movement seat board on top of the cleats.  It would have a slot in it for the chains to drop through.  The movement has to be mounted so it is in alignment with the dial vertically and front to rear.  You have to insure the weights clear any part of the case below.  The chime assembly has to be mounted behind the movement on the back part of the case so the movement chime hammers can be aligned with the rods.  As I was a clock designer with Emperor, I have some dimensioned drawings I could probably share with you to help you in your design as far as locating the above items I have mentioned.  I will attach a photo of an installation I did showing the cleats and seat board.  In this case the cleats are actually blocks which mount on a "shelf" inside the hood.  If you will, reply to my shop email address below and I can help you further.  This helps free up my Allexperts question queue.

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.)

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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