015 Making a clock mainspring let down tool

[@munnerlyn3]

Great video Matthew. I have never purchased any let down tools. I learned how to make a home made one from the VHS tape that I purchased on General Clock Repair in 1999 and I still use it today. Mine however isnt as fancy as this one as it just is a dowel with a slot for the key for the clock. I have since modified it by drilling a hole down the center to take odd shape keys.

[@paulinecottam9041]

I just made this and it works perfectly. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

Thanks Pauline, glad it worked out!

[@LDU2U]

Great. Why didn't I think of that . I bought a set a let down set some years ago, now I might make another set .

[@mariekavanaugh333]

Hi Matthew I am going to attempt to repair a 31 day clock that I no longer can wind. Moving the hands manually the clock chimes. So thank you and I will try to get back to you. The clock brand is a masses 31 day grandmother wall clock. I too have a kit of clock tools.

[@orchardwatchandclockrepair8346]

What a fantastic idea. Mathew. I noticed your wearing gloves . I learnt at my cost ,with a Fusee Clock when the Click spring snapped lol. I thought I had been caned . By the head master. Lol

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

Yup, easy to get injured with one of these clocks. safety gloves and eye protection always a good idea.

[@ericmendoza2408]

Hello Matthew I was watching your video I have a problem with a Seth Thomas mantle clock my first and what I’ve done I believe was over wound the clock chime and now it is ringing quite fast and I know that it is complicated to get to it to chime part of it so I have accepted the fact that I would let her chime in time until it starts chiming correctly which I believe would be about 3 to 4 months time if you could confirm this I would Rest easy knowing that what I have done will resolve itself of course in time

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

Hi Eric. You may have this resolved by now... my thoughts are there are two likely reasons your clock is striking too fast. One is that the mainspring has been replaced and it oil too strong. This is incredibly common. Not that easy to resolve as you would need to disassemble the clock and choose a thinner spring. The other reason I can immediately think of is whatever type of governor the clock uses to regulate the striking/chiming speed is slipping. If not is what we call a fly - an air resistance device - there is a spring that allows the fly vane to slip very slightly on its axle (arbor). If this spring is assembled incorrectly or worn/damaged, it can allow the train to run unrestricted. This is relatively simple to diagnose as you can see the fly arbor moving excessively in relation to the fly. The final thing is if the fly is of the centrifugal type - it actually increases is effective radius as it spins - these can often become jammed and remain at the smaller radius even when in operation. Hope that helps. Let me know how you get on. M

[@jean-micheldenoual4091]

Génial merci beaucoup !

[@TUCBER]

Good morning Do you know where I can find (or buy) a screwdriver with a wooden handle for a 4 mm pendulum key? THANKS Greetings. How do you call it? Regards Bernard.

[@AIN-hg6rf]

Hello,first respect for your video so helpful,i have Westminster STARCO 1956 does'nt complet the number of tik's,please answer me soon.

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

Please post the project on our Facebook group. facebook.com/groups/424742035582369

[@jacqueso8424]

Hi. Is the book available in pdf format

[@cmj2b]

@2:00 there is a locking mechanism that holds the key from unwinding. What is that called?

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

@@cmj2b It is called the winding ratchet or winding work comprising ratchet click, ratchet wheel and ratchet click spring. Hope this helps. M

[@cmj2b]

@@howtorepairpendulumclocks awesome. Just what I was looking for thanks🫶🏾

[@verybigkittens7550]

Where is the video on removing the hand arbor, I need to remove the centre lever cam on a smiths enfield striker.

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpDUnHSIZ7WtkLc Fast forward to 40 minutes. Hope it helps. This is not a definitive video, its just to help. Good luck. Matthew

[@verybigkittens7550]

@@howtorepairpendulumclocks Thank you Mathhew, found your video again after sending message yesterday. I have now taken off the hand arbor the way you described using a split stake in the vice, but used a hollow stake that just fitted over the front of the hand arbor and rested on the ridge just past the square flats for the minute hand, I didn't have a spare key small enough. Re bushed and put the lifting collet back on. It is a run of the mill smiths Enfield striker. I held the rear of the arbor in soft jaws and used a hollow staking tool over the front of the arbor resting on the collet and carefully hammered it home. Making sure that the levers were in the correct relationship to the square for the minute hand. Getting the hang of clock repairing now, after about 6 years, and 160 clocks. I work on them 7 days a week. Got a bushing tool now which really helps. A bergeon one, with the full set not cheap but worth it. Also spring winders. I need them with the amount of clocks I get working and then sell on, and repair work for people. I do this full time now best job I have ever had, and can work from home.

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

@@verybigkittens7550 Thanks for the report. Nice to read different work-arounds. Great that the work is going well. Matthew

[@verybigkittens7550]

@@howtorepairpendulumclocks Thank you Mathew for the kind words, Are you based in the north riding. I live in cheshire. I have subscribed to your channel. I am in a clock club that meet every 2 months in marple but not now since this pestilence plague started last march.

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

@@verybigkittens7550 Yes, in North Yorks. Have you seen our Open Clock Club? It meets every Saturday at 18.00 on Zoom. It is free to attend and all are welcome, especially beginners. search Eventbrite "Open Clock Club".