Recommendations for book on clock repairs

[Andy StopfordParticipant @andystopford50521]

This evening I was winding an eight day clock i own when there was a bang, the sound of something unravelling, and resistance to turning the key ceased. I guess the mainspring has broken (or maybe come undone somehow).

Since a chap really should know how to mend a broken clock, does anyone have any suggestions for a book on the subject?

Here are a couple of pics of the clock in question:

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

John Wilding wrote at least 2

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

Join the US NAWCC forum it’s free and there is lots of great information in the Clock Repair sect.-

[Brian MerrifieldParticipant @brianmerrifield92050]

Yes it sounds like the spring has broken. A word of warning platform escapements need careful handling. I think you need to find a friendly clock repairer to advise you. If you live in Dorset I would be happy to look at it with you. There are lots of clock repair books and the one I like is “The Clock Repairers Manual” by Mick Waters.

Good luck

[DellParticipant @dell]

Usually when a mainspring breaks or comes off its inner or outer hook it does a lot more damage IE stripped teeth, bent or broken pivots, bent arbors.

As Peter said join NAWCC or WRT forum, latter being watch orientated but has a clock forum.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

The NAWCC forum is excellent, answers are quick generally, and it’s very active.  More posts in a week than the BHI one in a year!  And you don’t have to be an NAWCC member to join.

https://mb.nawcc.org/

[Dell]

Thanks, all. I’ll check out NAWCC and WRT this evening.

Brian – thanks for the offer, but I’m in Kent; ebay had a copy of the Waters book though, so I’ve ordered that.

On Dell Said:

Usually when a mainspring breaks or comes off its inner or outer hook it does a lot more damage IE stripped teeth, bent or broken pivots, bent arbors.

Oh dear, I did wonder if that might be the case – I’m hoping that because the failure occurred on the first turn of the key, the amount of energy released may not have been too disastrous. Still, I retire in November so I should (in theory) have a bit more time for extra projects.

[Andy Stopford]

On Andy Stopford Said:

Still, I retire in November so I should (in theory) have a bit more time for extra projects.

Ha ha ha ha ha…. You probably won’t! If my experience – echoed by others I’ve spoken to – you’ll wonder how on earth you had time to go to work, and why it is when you were working, you could spend more time on your own projects…

Do hope the clock isn’t severely damaged, though, and that repairs can be effected easily. Enjoy retirement!

[Clive SteerParticipant @clivesteer55943]

Hi Andy.

Where about in Kent are you as I’m in Bexhill, East Sussex and have several books on clock repair. If the mainspring has broken you are best to use a mainspring winding tool which I could lend you. The spring is most likely to fail around the hole in the spring that hooks onto the hook on winding arbor. This is a very high stress point and over time fatigue cracks form in the spring and it lets go. Replacement springs can be purchased but modern spring are a better steel and much stronger so a slightly thinner spring is needed.

PM me if you feel I can help.

Clive S

[Andy StopfordParticipant @andystopford50521]

Thanks Nigel – people keep telling me this!

Thanks Clive, I’ve sent you a PM

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