Help required to repair broken centre arbor shaft from English longcase.

[Geoffrey PIDDParticipant @geoffreypidd23511]

I assist Bolton Hospice in Lancashire on a voluntary basis. My goal being to maximize their income by repairing/restoring a large variety of donated items, including clocks.

A recent donation is an English long case circa 1830 in reasonable condition.

Unfortunately, a gut line had snapped allowing the going weight to plummet earthward causing the center gear arbor to snap its rear end bearing thus greatly reducing the clocks' potential income.

The repair I envisage is to turn down the broken shaft end to a suitable length and diameter, then create, pin and drill, a flat rectangular brass spacer to the inside of the back plate in order to provide fresh bearing location without altering the position of the centre shaft pinion in relation to its current location.

However I don't possess any turning equipment or a sufficiently accurate pillar drill. (Timber is my pleasure, where accuracy is less demanding).

My hope is that a member in the North West would be prepared to carry out this fairly simple (if you have the kit) operation, largely for altruistic reasons (plus a good bottle of red) and the challenge……… of course!

Geoffrey Pidd

geoffpidd@gmail.com

07813 773378

[Geoffrey PIDDParticipant @geoffreypidd23511]

[Jim NicParticipant @jimnic]

Unfortunately (or maybe not??) I am not in the North West but I suggest a couple of pictures of your problem may stimulate a little interest and hopefully an offer of assistance.

Jim

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I am in the north west, but am not a clock bodger. However, how about drilling up the arbour and loctiting in a bit of silver steel. Put some pictures up so we can see what the problem is. If it's as easy as I suggest I'll give it a go, unless someone who actually knows what he is doig volunteers first of course

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Given this could be quite a valuable clock, I'd suggest getting a repair done by a professional clockmaker – he might well do it "pro-bono" as it's for a charity if the repair isn't too extensive. Depending on what has snapped it might be possible to re-pin the arbor and/or bush the back plate, both of which might be less intrusive than putting in a spacer. For a list of accredited repairers see here – also again a photo would help.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Geoffrey,

I regret that I am not currently in a position to offer any practical assistance; but, like John Haine, I would advise againt using the repair scheme that you describe.

There are two much less intrusive ways to effect a repair:

1. drill the arbor and insert a new pivot
2. Shorten the arbor a little, and add a sleeve with a new pivot.

The first is preferable; but if it proves impractical the second should work.

Neither involves damaging, or modifying, any other part of the clock

… this is the spirit of conservation.

MichaelG.

.

Here's what the result of doing (1) should look like:

http://www.thebritishclockmaker.com/services-offered/

http://www.thebritishclockmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/servicesH1.jpg

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 12/12/2017 16:49:08

[RJWParticipant @rjw]

 

Geoffrey, unfortunately I'm in the North East so unable to offer any help, but this is a repair I've done a few times on longcase clocks and especially Westminster and gong strike mantle clocks, which snap pivots like carrots following a mainspring break,

Drilling out the arbour and inserting a piece of silver steel rod is the way to go, it's a neat repair, reversible and much stronger than the original turned pivot, it also doesn't change the form of the original arbour
Another method but less satisfactory on an antique, is to shorten and turn a stub on the end of the arbour and press on a pre-manufactured 'repair pivot', these take the form of a hollow ended short cup with a pivot machined on the end, if done properly though they can be almost invisible, but there is the risk of them coming adrift unless the cup is quite deep,
The photo's I've added will give you an idea of what needs to be done and is my preferred manner of repair, they show a typical pivot replacement to the second wheel on the strike train of a Westminster type mantle clock, which broke from the recoil of a broken mainspring,.

John.

 

Edited By RJW on 12/12/2017 23:10:16

[RJWParticipant @rjw]

[RJWParticipant @rjw]

[petetheclockParticipant @petetheclock]

That is the correct way of doing the job.

[Dennis RParticipant @dennisr]

Geoff

Have sent you an email.

Dennis

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

Search for "Pivot steel" at clock spares suppliers. Many years ago when I was a poorly payed slave, one of my toolroom mentors showed me how to effect the above repair.

Regards Ian.

[Geoffrey PIDDParticipant @geoffreypidd23511]

Gentlemen,

As is often the case, coincidence has stepped in and shown the way.

This damage had clearly occurred at least once before, as examination revealed that the arbor in question has previously been drilled and is merely awaiting insertion of yet another 2mm pivot pin.

Thank you all for your comments and advice, both helpful and admonishing.

Geoffrey Pidd

PS. Thanks Circlip, pivot steel selection ordered from Esslinger today.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

A good conclusion – I hope it raises a good price to support your cause.

[Author]

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