1889 Seth Thomas Parlor Clock restore for Shantyl #15

over view of a 1889 Seth Thomas Clock restored to working condition
Historical Society Web site is here: www.whitmancou...
James Martin can be contacted at [e-mail] or 509-868-2499

[@TrixCeeVee]

What a beautiful and fascinating process to watch. Thank you for sharing your craft.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thank You, Glad you enjoyed it.

[@wyorattler_rawdogs]

This is fantastic! Thank you!

[@ludwig-vi6pi]

Awesome video 😅 thank you for sharing.

[@jamesmartin5370]

These ae great old clocks, very good time keepers..

[@YUHJKT]

I think it is so cool that this woman is going to thoroughly enjoy her grandmother's mechanical clock because of James Martin. It's almost like a heart beat from the past.

[@jamesmartin5370]

I agree..

[@TheGreatTimSheridan]

Nice to see the video trimmed down to size. That's very helpful

[@jmagruder7796]

Thank You I will call some clock repair shops here in Portland and see what they say

[@jamesmartin5370]

If you don't have any luck, let me know and I will see about getting it working again for you...

[@rehorneman]

Mr Martin, You are a master clockmaker. It is obvious you know your stuff. I love the way you handle everything.I just found you and I am watching all your videos. AB from Time 4 Clocks also treats his work in a loving manner. I will be watching all your work.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Robert.

[@mcpeteymcnustard7777]

You are the essence of what I imagine when I think of a clock maker, and I love it haha

[@queenbee3647]

Lovely clock. Great video. 👍

[@josephsawicki9335]

Very nice work a true professional Thank you.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Joe

[@senarathdanawalagamageupal3869]

Excellent!!! Thank You!!!

[@davestelling]

P. S. I also enjoyed the background "Music" throughout this presentation...

[@ImTHATguy...]

Yay Washington! We have a Seth Thomas that's been in our family since new. It has wooden gears in it and our clock shop in Spokane says it's older than their books that date back to the 1820s. It still works like new! I've got a little Seth Thomas Beehive and a port hole myself. Great clocks.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Great t hear, the knew how to build them back then.

[@paulbriggs3072]

Wooden works of that sort should still be made today. Many clocks here in New York and New England had wood works in lovely tall cases of butternut, cherry, mahogany, faux grained pine and basswood. I copied one from about 1810 at a clock museum in a library 9 miles from our farm in New York and rode my bike several times back and forth as a 20 year old to record its dimensions. But I knew I would never have the primitive wooden works.

[@tomallen6073]

That’s awesome, with all the junk being made in China anymore it’s nice to see a quality built American made precision instrument still in use. Love old clocks, they do have character. I find the ticking to be very comforting. It’s like a voice from the past.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks, Always several clocks ticking when you are in the clock repair business

[@gabyroberts9601]

Hola from victor ny thank you for your informative video and for answering the phone

[@jamesmartin5370]

Anytime, It was great talking to both of you this moning.

[@chrisdavid735]

I just received a Seth Thomas gingerbread with the white house reverse painting on the glass. It was originally purchased by my great x4 grandfather.

[@jamesmartin5370]

That's great! Keep it cleaned and oiled and it will out last you and I both.

[@johnbrodehl9743]

Yep. Enjoy your videos.

[@bozoperkovic1983]

mr Martin i learn some about clocks that is litle more work then i expect i have fun just watching you

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Bozo, Hope you are able to use something from this video on your clocks. There are a lot of different processes involved in their repair that keeps a person always learning.

[@eugenenault4935]

Interesting watch.

[@SVRSVR-b2q]

Bravo master!

[@Fred-nz9dp]

I’ve done putting gong in evaporust for 24-48 hours and wash it with dish soap to remove any oil or grease and it has better tone and resonance.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Great, oils and grease if excessive can change the tone of chimes and gongs.

[@اكرمالشمري-و3ب]

🏆🎖🏅👍👍..عمل رائع جيمس..

[@Cobesclocks]

Do the alarm assemblies ever get bushings?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes, normally if they work they are left alone, not many people use them except for show on these due to the loudness of them.

[@pgmetcalf]

Very nice clock

[@jmagruder7796]

James, I own a Seth Thomas Parlor Kitchen Clock Chime Spring needs repair and the clock will not keep running may need to be serviced. has not run for over 20 years

[@bwhog]

So... how can you tell if the glass on a clock is original or not? Always been uncertain about that. All I can go by is what is on it (materials and so on), but there are clocks that were made with no design on the glass at all.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Old glass is irregular with imperfections of, waves, distortion, air bubbles, etc... Some time around 1940s or 50s processing changed and eliminated all those imperfections.

[@mercoid]

@@jamesmartin5370 As of approximately 25 years ago, glass with those imperfections started becoming available again to provide that “old time” look. However, in my experience the imperfections are usually greatly exaggerated almost to an absurd degree. I lived in a 100+ year old house that was full of beautiful old glass. Salvaged glass from an old home would be the best option if you needed to replace glass on an old clock. Although cutting it to size may be a challenge given those very imperfections you desire.

[@ПашаПитецкий]

Вітаю, дякую за навчання 😊❤

[@jamesmartin5370]

вітаємо, радий, що вам сподобалося відео

[@jamesmartin5370]

thanks.

[@michaelfrizzell1491]

I need the bushing press. You handle the clock with respect.

[@waltmorgan5222]

just found you, love your work! It seems everything you do is a labor of love. Nice to see.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Walt

[@TheMoyuelo]

Maravilloso 😍

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it

[@myqueentitanbug28]

Amazing job and craftsmanship in restoring the clock. That is a wonderful clock. I have 2 Seth Thomas mantle clocks and one tempus fugit grand father clock in need of repair and cleaning. Im looking for a place to have them serviced.

[@jamesmartin5370]

If you don't find a local shop for them let me know maybe I can help. Tempus Fugit is not associated with a brand or clock company, just a saying several clock companies printed on their dials so its tough to say who fabricated the movement.

[@myqueentitanbug28]

@@jamesmartin5370 i will do. Is this a good way to contact you. i just got the clock a month ago from a friend who said it workd got it home the hour hand just moves very freely and the clock will not stay running i leved the clock it runs for all most a minute and stops.

[@reggievangleason9511]

“tempus fugit” is Latin, translates to “time flies”. I’m thinking of having it inscribed on my eventual tombstone. 🤣

[@jamesmartin5370]

@@reggievangleason9511 There is a lot of truth to that statement.

[@highspeedgaz]

Hi Seth, whereabouts are the Cathedral chimes situated in the clock , I saw gong hammer action and the two quater hour bells anctions ,Great Video .

[@jamesmartin5370]

Chimes are from another clock in the shop

[@highspeedgaz]

@@jamesmartin5370 ,James could you help me ,I'm new to mechanical clocks , I want to convert an old Korean wall clock coil gong chime to a 2 inch bell , The hammer has a leather tip ,will that impede the tone when striking the bell , Thankyou. Gary .

[@jamesmartin5370]

@@highspeedgaz Yes, it will be a softer sound. There are many degrees of tone difference from leather tipped hammers, all depends on the hardness of the leather, with age the leather can become rock hard and tone will change. If you replace the leather attempt to find some that has some good body and hardness to it, too soft of leather will not produce enough sound.

[@highspeedgaz]

@@jamesmartin5370 Thankyou .

[@jmagruder7796]

I found a clock Repair shop here in Portland going there on Saturday for Estimate will let you know what I decide

[@jmagruder7796]

Will Check In Portland Oregon For a repair Shop Clock could get damaged if shipped. Unless you recommend another service shop

[@jamesmartin5370]

I am not familiar with any clockmakers in your area. To eliminate possible shipping damage to glass and wood case, most people ship movement only.

[@matthewoakley2886]

And that was the last time I watch a clock video with headphones.

[@droprain4770]

very good

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks for the comment.

[@dettie1948]

Does the screw close to the escapment allow the penetration into the escapment wheel to be adjusted?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes, The screw holding the verge pivot is to adjust the pallets/verge into the escape wheel teeth to control the lock and drop on the verge pallets.

[@dettie1948]

When I took the dial off my Seth Thomas I found a large lump of hardened grease on the escapement which I cleaned of using contact cleaner and then very discretely fine oiled the pivots throughout the movement and its now running really well (made 1868), thanks for the response.@@jamesmartin5370

[@MrPlankinton]

I have an Ansonia, Alaska Strike alarm clock from 1898. It is still working fine.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Great to hear, keep it clean and oiled and it should keep on for many more to come

[@MrPlankinton]

@@jamesmartin5370 date correction it's 1998

[@BK-sn3gk]

Nice

[@wildernessofzinn17]

What makes a verge skip over the escape wheel?. I have a movement that will not stop doing this no matter what. A Sessions movement. Someone said to nudge the pivot plate (dogbone) ever so slightly. I have done that until I'm sick of it and it either skips over the escapement or won't tick at all. I disassembled and cleaned it, then oiled it, and it skims over the escape wheel just like it did when it was dirty.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Adjusting verge closer helps in some instances but depends on original defect that is being corrected for. There's no one answer that will correct this defect. The source of the defect needs to be found first then corrected. If adjustments have been made that were not addressing source, these adjustments must be taken into account and corrected. Possible sources are: 1st thing to inspect is power to the escape wheel, make sure there is good uninterrupted power. Only make adjustments if all power problems have been addressed. Bent arbor on escape wheel Escape wheel out of round Escape wheel teeth not running concentric with center axis of arbor Worn escape wheel pivot Worn pivot hole on escape wheel Damaged escape wheel teeth Worn escape wheel teeth Worn verge pallet surfaces Verge pivots or pivot hole worn Verge too far away from escape wheel Verge pallet might be out of adjustment from a previous person This should get you off to a good start on what to look for and will in most cases get it running.

[@HayesTech]

I have an Anconia Clock Co. stand clock and lately it stops running for no reason. My guess is it's either dirty or it was over wound. I have no clue who too send it to for repairs. I live in central Pa. I have no clue how old it is either, as we have had this clock in our family for as long as I can remember. Any help would be appreciated for getting it back into running condition again.

[@jamesmartin5370]

You can contact me at [e-mail] send a couple of photos and will take a look at it.

[@HayesTech]

@@jamesmartin5370 Awesome... Thank you. I'll get some high quality pics for you. What I should do it's make a short video and upload it to my smaller KZbin channel for you to look at. I'll get those pics to you today sometime.

[@jamesramplin1208]

Hi Mr. Martin. How did you setup the stop work on the winding mechanisms? I have worked on other clocks and a friend has given me a Seth Thomas strike/alarm clock to repair similar to the one you are repairing. The strike mainspring is broken and will need replacing. When I have replaced the spring I will need to setup the stop work but at the moment I don't know how to. Can you advise please? The characters on the back of the case are 5881C which, following your explanation, is March 1885?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes, that is March of 1881, that's an oldie. The Geneva Stop Mechanism allows the mainspring to have a smooth power curve, helping the clock keep much better time. Yours might look different than the below but they all work on the same principal. An excellent explanation of it in the below link, also shows how to set them up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omjGqnufqrCKq7s cdn.watchrepairtalk.com/monthly_2020_11/20201116_101751.jpg.9c4a2fbc008bad4e585c8c2991c69960.jpg

[@whitneykovener]

Very good shape for its age and not "butchered"

[@ditzydoo4378]

A lovely soothing sound of the many clocks running in the background. ^~^ A question if you please. were any of these wall/corner clocks ever built with Saphire pivot bearings???

[@jamesmartin5370]

I have never seen any built using those bearings, those types of bearings were used a lot in watches.

[@ditzydoo4378]

@@jamesmartin5370 Exactly, I would guess that someone at some time with enough money has had one made like a very oversized pocket watch. ^~^

[@jamesmartin5370]

@@ditzydoo4378 probably so. I serviced an inexpensive common Baby Ben alarm clock a while back from the 1950s. As you mentioned, someone had paid a watchmaker to install sapphire pivot bearings it, unusual find on that one.

[@ditzydoo4378]

@@jamesmartin5370 so cool, thank you for sharing.

[@John-mz8rj]

Expert. If that was mine I would leave the face off.

[@jmagruder7796]

Thanks for the offer Were are you located I live in Portland Oregon Jeff

[@jamesmartin5370]

Just North of you, Spokane Valley, Washington

[@jeremymoore568]

How do you clean the front and back brass plates?

[@jamesmartin5370]

L & R ammoniated Clock cleaning concentrate

[@jeremymoore568]

@@jamesmartin5370 thank you for the help. I truly enjoy watching your videos and the detailed descriptions you provide. I’m about 18 months in and just getting somewhat comfortable taking the mechanisms all apart. What equipment do you recommend for replacing bushings. That’s really the only thing I haven’t tried yet.

[@jamesmartin5370]

@@jeremymoore568 Deep subject, you will need to research and decide what system you want to go with. There's several ways to go, Bergeon system is a Swiss company, KWM system is a German company, your can always cut your own but will need a lathe and brass stock. There is also bronze bushings to consider. If you use Bergeon or KWM you will need some of their tools, If you cut your own you can get by with your own tools.

[@Brooks_Adams]

Hi there, may I ask what kind of main spring wonder you have and where I could possibly get one. I have a few clocks that have broken springs and I need to replace them. Thank you!

[@Brooks_Adams]

Winder*

[@jamesmartin5370]

There isn't a brand name on the mainspring winder I use. I fabricated this mainspring winder in my shop.

[@Brooks_Adams]

@@jamesmartin5370 Ahh I see. I must say you did a very very good job. Looks safer than most the ones on the market.

[@jmagruder7796]

I decided not to fix the clock at the Stark Street In Portland Clock Repair Estimate around $700.00 Both Main Springs and Ratchet Click Springs Jeff repairs required.

[@jamesmartin5370]

If you decide to send it over this way for an inspection, email me at: [e-mail]

[@jmagruder7796]

Going today to Clockworks for a estimate will let you know not sure on the pricing for this repair

[@ВалентинаМалых-н8н]

Всегда было интересно узнать как часовщик справляется с непослушной пружиной ( имел несчастье не справится ) , а это оказалось просто - полуколькольцо ! Спасибо за урок .

[@jamesmartin5370]

Добро пожаловать..

[@philipbrailey]

Wow! I might buy an old clock and fix it up tomorrow at lunch time. Should be fully working an hour later.

[@steveburney9105]

Like to know if you work on the clocks to repair them

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes. You can contact me at [e-mail] or give me a call at 509-868-2499 and I'll see what I can do to help out

[@robertjordan7323]

Nice clock but those alarms would wake the whole house.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Quite brutal sounding. I believe these were designed to do just that, back then it was possible it was the only clock in the house to wake everyone up..

[@jagdishsonawale4028]

Which oil used for oiling

[@jamesmartin5370]

Its best to use an oil made for clocks. Synthetic is the best. Mainsprings get a thicker oil. There are also light grease that is made for Mainspring lube. Research for Clock Oils, do some reading and move forward from there with your choice. Everyone will have their favorite's, you will need to decide which ones are for you.

[@jagdishsonawale4028]

@@jamesmartin5370 thanks James sir

[@jamesmartin5370]

​@@jagdishsonawale4028 Your son asked for help on a clock for you. For help on your Bim Bam clock you can contact me at: [e-mail] I am unable to reply to yours sons youtube channel for some reason.

[@thegregolahorologyclub6799]

Really nice clock here. Which do you prefer. European clocks or North American?

[@jamesmartin5370]

I like them both, enjoy working with the customer and getting their timepieces back to operating order.

[@kebabman1968]

It’s kind sad, but clocks like this goes for $10-15 here in sweden

[@jamesmartin5370]

Interesting, These were sold all over the world,. Value placed on items is controlled by perception and culture in that area, interesting how these things work out.

[@johnbrodehl9743]

Those labels get corrupted by someone getting happy with the oiler, and it drips down on the label.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Every label I have seen on the bottom like this one is blackened to the point the they are not readable anymore. I agree, oil from over oiling the movement and maybe from household furniture cleaner and polish. These labels are printed on newspaper like paper, soaks oil up like a sponge.

[@Quintus468]

That's a beautiful clock. My parents have an old Seth Thomas but I don't think it's that old!

[@jamesmartin5370]

Be interesting to find out, look on the back of the case and see if there's date.

[@Quintus468]

@@jamesmartin5370 Unfortunately it's bolted to the wall, but maybe someday I'll find out.

[@montyzawinski6767]

I have so many clocks! It's a shame they nose dived in value!

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes, some clock models even though old and quite rare have not done well for holding value. As with anything, the value of an item is wholly dependent on having collectors/purchasers who place value on that item.

[@Toms.George]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Tom

[@Toms.George]

@@jamesmartin5370 😄

[@inspiringlife702]

We want to meet u😊

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thank You

[@inspiringlife702]

@@jamesmartin5370 when can we .... and how ?

[@ClockFixer]

Too bad the case is missing it's bottom board.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes, From the looks of the patina on the very bottom, I would say the base has been missing for many years.

[@felkonx]

Sorry had to stop watching - the ticking in the background - drove me crazy 😮