Our Work & Info
"It's hard to see a time piece leave the shop but the story behind it and the family that enjoys it makes it all worth while......"
Our clock repair:
We get questions about what is involved in servicing mechanical clocks. It’s no fast process. Think about it like changing oil in your car. You don’t keep adding oil till it stops….it WILL stop. You have to get the old oil out. You can only do that by completely taking it all apart and cleaning it with the right ultrasonic clock solution. Especially any springs mounted inside the winding spring barrels will require special tools to remove/reinstall them properly without destroying them. After it is properly dried, any worn parts need to be repaired after inspection. This takes time and machine work fitting bushings to repair any round holes worn oblong. Any rotating shaft ends are polished or replaced. New brass tension wires fitted if applicable. Special attention to chime timing configuration is required. Proper oil and grease is applied properly in the correct places. Then observe it in testing/running on a test stand for up to a week or so. I won’t do it any other way….
"The red highlight: circles the gunk that needs to be removed. I would not add oil to this if it was my clock....."
Below are some neat clock(s) that I had the pleasure to repair. I wish I could share them all but here's a few. Plus some notables:
Gorgeous Sonnerie Clock
In the noted horology book "Britten's Old Clocks and Watches", G.H. Baillie defines a Grand Sonnerie movement as follows:
"A form of quarter-striking in which the hour last struck is also repeated at each hour."
It works like this, striking the quarter-hour on one gong and the hour on a second, slightly lower-toned gong:
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At 3:15 the clock strikes once on the higher chime to indicate the quarter hour, followed by three strikes on the lower chime to indicate the hour.
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At 3:30 the clock stikes two times on the higher chime (half-hour), followed by three chimes on the lower gong (hour) ...etc.
This way, if you are within hearing distance of the clock, day or night, you can tell exactly what time it is at each quarter hour.
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Thanks for the business Dave !
1750's Benjamin Willard tall case clock
- Been passed down in the family since purchased new in Boston.
- A "bell" ringer that is ticking again ! Thanks Steve !
1802 Simon Willard $50
Note: Delivered by Wm Cody ! ( Buffalo Bill's Dad )
Another "bucket list" clock back up and running! Thanks for the business Bill and Harriet !
Trig's corporate office - clock tower in Minocqua, WI
A three faced clock that I have the pleasure to take care of.
I had the privilege to deliver a new presidential Howard Miller clock to Brent. His "bucket list" clock.
Unique French tall case clock ?
Pinwheel escapement back up and running. Thanks for the business Lee and Margo !
No markings on movement. Est. circa: Late 1700-early 1800's. Rare. About 10' tall.
Custom clock work: Install new "works" in Scott's custom case. Note: programmable lighting!
Electric Clocks..too!
Time consuming but worth every minute !
1923 - 1956 Revere
1928 Sangamo (electrically wound)
Carillons at First United Methodist Church
Yes, that was me. If you get a chance to hear them, they are breathtaking. They are digital bells that play the Westminster Chime before striking the hour and then play a short bell tune. Remotely controlled in Rhinelander, WI
Rhinelander Paper Co
All I can say is: WOW, what a pleasure to have the privilege to get this clock back up and running. It's still in the maintenance department where it belongs since 1903. Enjoy the 1953 article!
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