18 Aug
2011
18 Aug
'11
11:43 a.m.
On 18 Aug 2011 at 18:38, Tony Duell wrote:
Mechanicla clocks interest me a lot, and always have.
Alas I cna't
afford the things I'd really like to work on, but ther are plenty of
20th century clocks around for a few pounds htat I can have fun
getting to run again. Other things that interest me (and I can obtain)
include older synchonous-motor clocks, elctrically-rewound
spring-driven clocks, electorncially-maintaind balance-wheel clocks
(normally just a single germanium trransitor triggeredby one winding
on the balanace and energising a second winding.
Then there are the "stamped out of tin can stock" that used to come
in autos and kitchen appliances. On a 56 Chevy, I replaced the
dashboard clock with one from a Soviet tank--it fit perfectly and
worked much better--the tank clock had the additional bonus of
allowing it to be hand-wound by turning the bezel--it didn't wind
electrically. It'd run for about two weeks on a winding and was
probably better-constructed than the tank itself.
Lately, the clock in my kitchen wall oven has gone on the fritz.
It's a cheap GE model that was probably standard on a dozen brands.
The problem is that the works were never enclosed and dust and grease
gummed things up, leading to one of the smaller brass pinions
becoming stripped. I got it working temporarily by inserting a small
washer (there's enough lateral slop), offsetting the pinion slightly.
But the wear on the shaft is evident, so it's bound to fail again.
Replacement clock prices on eBay are insane--$100 for a used unit
which is essentially a cheap bit of stamping.
Makes me angry at the poor design. A bit of card stock wrapped
around the works would have kept the dust out and considerably
extended the working life. Cost would have been negligible.
--Chuck