Fixing Eye bolt to old Lead longcase weight

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Hi, I have a longcase lead weight which arrived with the eye to hold it to the clock replaced with a steel nail. The nail is a little off centre.It has held suspended for years so is probably safe but an eye sore. The obvious difficult is one might expect the original eye sheered off and will tend to make drilling tricky.

As the weights match and are 18th century if I were to attempt a repair any suggestions.

Chris

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

If the weight is a plain cylinder without one end rounded off, you might fit the new eyebolt to the other end and cut the nail off flush.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

If you can guess at the diameter of the original screw eye make a tube of that internal diameter out of silver steel, file teeth in the end and harden. You can then 'drill' down the outside of the broken screw. When deep enough the core can be pushed side to side to break it off and the hole refilled with lead or plumbers solder.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Drill a pair of holes diametrically opposite and bend up a "U" shape from steel rod say 3mm dia to fit them

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Chris TickTock on 25/01/2020 21:24:34:

[…]

As the weights match and are 18th century if I were to attempt a repair any suggestions.

Chris

.

A photo of the good weight might help those attempting to assist you, Chris

MichaelG.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Plus a photo of the one with the nail, if it is a cut nail with a hole drilled across it then you could spend a little time filing the exposed end to look like an eye same as these two that were made from flat bar.

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

hi guys photos to help see the issue. Remnant of previously probably sheered eye bolt is the issue as it makes drilling difficult but no real alternative other than leave alone which goes against the grain with me if something is reasonably doable.

Chris

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Are you sure the original is an eye bolt and not just a bent wire that was cast in probably with some sort of bend at the other end so it would not pull out.

The simple tubular saw suggested would be easy going in lead then just bend up some steel to match an remelt the lead you took out and pour into the hole to set the replacement hook.

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Posted by JasonB on 26/01/2020 10:09:22:

Are you sure the original is an eye bolt and not just a bent wire that was cast in probably with some sort of bend at the other end so it would not pull out.

The simple tubular saw suggested would be easy going in lead then just bend up some steel to match an remelt the lead you took out and pour into the hole to set the replacement hook.

not sure eye hook is original but that is the target to match to. will look at all posts later and comment and many thanks to everyone.

Chris

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JasonB on 26/01/2020 10:09:22:

[…]

just a bent wire that was cast in probably with some sort of bend at the other end so it would not pull out.

.

Very likely, I would think

MichaelG.

[Roger HartParticipant @rogerhart88496]

TBH this looks a job that is not worth going, leave it alone, the nail 'shows a bit of age'.

Not that easy to drill down with a hollow drill. Even it the drill does not snap off you are still left with how to get the core out. Very unlikely to drop out.

So unless this thing is a Tompion or a Knibb, leave it alone.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Remove nail, test with a strong magnet, for inclusions, then decide on what might need to be done. Simple enough?

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

It would have been normal practice to cast the steel part into the lead during manufacture. I always did that when casting my own fishing weights in plaster of paris.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Drill two holes on a diameter straddling the nail, then glue in a U shaped bit of wire. You could turn some grooves in the wire before you bend it to give the glue some grip

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Posted by Roger Hart on 26/01/2020 11:11:46:

TBH this looks a job that is not worth going, leave it alone, the nail 'shows a bit of age'.

Not that easy to drill down with a hollow drill. Even it the drill does not snap off you are still left with how to get the core out. Very unlikely to drop out.

So unless this thing is a Tompion or a Knibb, leave it alone.

 

Thanks Roger and every poster. No the clock is a poor example of crasftsmanship or a good example of bad. The advise is leave it alone and yes i think I will here.

Having said that just for arguments sake I was told to rectify the issue and I could not source one that would do I could easily enough cast one. But anyone know how to seal and age it to look like the other?

Not sure on the law on this as lead as we now know is toxic so is it permissible to cast a replacement for a customer?

Duncan's idea takes my 1st Prize for solutions.

Chris

 

Edited By Chris TickTock on 26/01/2020 14:38:19

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Casting new weights using the old ones for the lead would be the best of all solutions if you have the means to do it. If using plaster of paris for this size of mould, the plaster should be in a wooden or metal box to avoid the danger of the mould splitting open as the lead is poured. The new hanger bolt is held in position and the lead poured around it. It is important for the mould to be dried thoroughly in a warm place for a week or so before casting, as any dampness will cause steam explosions and lead will be ejected like a small volcano with unpleasant results. It is likely that the mould will only last for one casting.

Edited By old mart on 26/01/2020 14:43:40

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

But what about sealing and aging?

chris

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Posted by old mart on 26/01/2020 14:41:54:

Casting new weights using the old ones for the lead would be the best of all solutions

Why not give the case a coat of nice while gloss paint while you are at it, and replace any tatty bits with mdf.

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Posted by Bazyle on 26/01/2020 16:00:09:

Posted by old mart on 26/01/2020 14:41:54:

Casting new weights using the old ones for the lead would be the best of all solutions

Why not give the case a coat of nice while gloss paint while you are at it, and replace any tatty bits with mdf.

Already done that.

chris

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Posted by Bazyle on 26/01/2020 16:00:09:

Posted by old mart on 26/01/2020 14:41:54:

Casting new weights using the old ones for the lead would be the best of all solutions

Why not give the case a coat of nice while gloss paint while you are at it, and replace any tatty bits with mdf.

Already done that.

chris

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I suppose that some people would rather throw an antique in the bin than repair one bit, after all, the repair would not be original.

[NimbleParticipant @nimble]

Hi Chris,

How about using a oxy -acetylene torch or (a propane torch, I have not not got one so don't know if you would be able to get a small enough pool of molten lead) and create a molten puddle in the centre top, and with a pair of pliers pull the nail out you could then insert your eye bolt into the molten puddle an allow to cool, or just allow to cool drill and tap as necessary.

Regards, Neil

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Posted by Nimble on 26/01/2020 18:29:29:

Hi Chris,

How about using a oxy -acetylene torch or (a propane torch, I have not not got one so don't know if you would be able to get a small enough pool of molten lead) and create a molten puddle in the centre top, and with a pair of pliers pull the nail out you could then insert your eye bolt into the molten puddle an allow to cool, or just allow to cool drill and tap as necessary.

Regards, Neil

Thanks Neil, I think lead would likely go all over the place with too hot a flame however with propane might do it. Removing the nail is the easier bit could even snip off flush, punch down and loose with lead but the issue is what will stick with lead. if epoxy will do it then 2 holes and barbed steel bent into a loop will give a far better look.

As for absolute original restoration on all clocks…absolutely not.

Chris

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

This is the weight in out 1789 long case clock. Looks like they used a lot of nails around then !

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