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hey john. hope you had a good time off but sounds like you were just as busy anyway. I know your busy and trying to catch up but I wrote concerning the allaron 31day clock and the lack of pendulem. my problem was that with a lightweight pendulam I put in it(I build the clocks that use the batteries) it gains 15 mins in notime.. I havent heard from you so thought I might get back in touch. I appreciate any help I can get and maybe guide me to where I can get a winding key
thank you jerry gray
Jerry, I apologize, but I did send you a reply, but evidently did not get through to you. I have been looking for a pendulum that might fit your clock but have not found anything yet. I have also looked in some of my catalogs and Internet sources, but there just is not much available for Asian clocks. The manufacturers of Asian clocks did not follow a close set of standards in some areas and even clock keys today will vary in size by number. I always recommend having them physically fitted for safety. If there is not a clockmaker near you, you can order an assortment with authorization to return the unused ones. Of course you usually have to pay for them and then wait for a refund. I will look further next week and see if I might have a "hidden" one. Then maybe we can find a way to get you a key. One other thought and that is to measure the square of the winding arbor. This would have to be done with a micrometer or digital caliper to get it to the closest hundredth of an inch or tenth of a mm. Please reply to my email address below, as I have a limited number of questions per day on Allexperts. Thanks.
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.)
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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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