Assembling and Adjusting an Antique Ansonia Kitchen Clock

[@jamesriggs1926]

I find that rubber bands come in quite handy when you’re assembling things they act like nuts but are easier to work with might want to try that

[@BradfordNeedham]

Excellent tip - thanks!

[@Eduart.]

​@BradfordNeedham hi sir where can I get such a mechanism but not for a watch

[@PauloJAAraujo1]

Your explanation is excellent, as are the positions you managed to present in the video. The most critical step is undoubtedly the synchronization of the clapper gears, which you managed to explain masterfully.

[@joestroud1987]

Thank you for being so real in the video and not giving up. Very helpful that you names the gears and leavers.

[@jimenglish1981]

Thoroughly enjoy the trial and errors of getting the movement back together. Your patience is appreciated too!! Now I know what to expect when I try this on my Ansonia Kitchen clock. Thank you.

[@porterfamilyarchives4912]

I just finished working this exact movement…a little trial and error to get everything synchronized….wish I’d seen your first it might have saved me some time…😀thanks for posting.

[@DeoSingh48]

Excellent tutorial….I am working on a similar clock,it was my father’s an d about seventy five years old.I hope that I can get it working again after sitting in a box for forty years.Thanks for a great video.

[@ChrisBell-fc3ne]

Thanks for the video! I have been trying to reassemble mechanisms that I had taken apart and cleaned. Even after taking a lot of photos and video before taking them apart I was having a difficult time getting them back together. Your video shows that it takes time and patience. Even with that sometimes you have to take them apart, adjust something, and try again. Great for a hobby! Very satisfying when it works!

[@joetherock]

I'm working on this very thing tonight. 1800s technology for ya. Trying to figure out why it won't stop chiming. Your video helped. Thanks.

[@nheng6913]

Excellent video. Just rebuilt the fan mechanism for a friend and now the chime ran ... too good. It turns out that while removing the fan pinion shaft, I did not have the spring compressed so it ran with a whirrrrr for a few seconds, ending up with the gear with pin out of sync by about 40 degrees, just like yours.

[@ypres1917]

I have recently started working on clocks and of the dozens of videos I have looked at dealing with clock reassembly this is by far the best. The video quality is excellent and the narrative Very helpful. I have an Ansonia kitchen clock on the bench waiting to be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. Many thanks.

[@markfisher7962]

So nice to see someone else having trouble with the top plate. It'll help my patience when next I need to do this. (I'd like to see the factory jigs for positioning all the shafts at once.)

[@jimprice1959]

Great video showing exactly the problem I was having. The rotation of the warning pin wheel fixed it. It's also nice to see that I'm not the only one having to go back and forth aligning the wheel pins.

[@1dd434]

Thanks for the great video, I am a beginner myself. Explaining how to synchronize the strike train is excellent. Long story short, I have a similar movement, cleaned it and got it back together, I just could not figure out why the striking doesn't end. I appreciate your time and patience.

[@raydenney6986]

Glad someone else struggles with the things, and I've been doing this for over 30 years.

[@munnerlyn3]

Good job. I find that putting the nuts on every time you can works in putting the movements together.

[@treetopspider]

Thank you for this very informative and detailed video. I know how difficult it can be when trying to film a clock repair when often you need to lift the mechanism out of shot in order to adjust something. These ansonia clocks are far more difficult than the French clocks which I normally mess around with. This has helped me no end and my laptop will be on my bench when I finally put my Ansonia back together once its out of the ultrasonic.

[@antstephenson9497]

Golden, thanks. I was like Myles, working for the very first time on this same movement last night and struggling with the timing. Much appreciated for the video. One never stops learning. Isn't it great

[@fcbrc]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your video helped me fix the strike run on that has plagued my kitchen clock repair. Very good video and explanations!

[@MarkSWilliams27]

Great explanation of something I have never quite understood before. Thanks.

[@davemclean7798]

You have lots of patience. I enjoy this hobby too. It would be a bonus as you assemble the movement, and naming the part, mention what it does; (ie) this is the fan fly, and it regulates the speed of the chime strike, and keeps the strike uniform. Nice job Brad in half and hour. Don't we love this stuff!

[@BradfordNeedham]

Thanks for the suggestion, and the nice words about the videos! I'm still learning, so a lot of the explanation might be "this is the... uh... it's a wheel with pins that have something to do with controlling the striking hammer....uh..." But I'll have a go - thanks again!

[@Safa-Apartments]

@@BradfordNeedham loved the way you have explained the parts and its duty, especially the chim settings and its breaks. You are such a personality with lots of patience.. Once again thanks for letting me learn something out of it. 😇

[@geericks1]

Thank you SO much for this video. I forgot to control the spring before I removed the plate screws!! Only minor injury to my thumb but significant trauma to figure out how to but it back together. Your video was priceless to me!! Clocks are not quite as complicated as building a violin but if you dont know which gear goes where it is hopeless. Thanks again.

[@BradfordNeedham]

Ouch! Wow I'm glad things turned out allright, after your battle with the springs.

[@aegrau2513]

Numbers with alcohol washable ink all parts and their location on the plates. When you have it assembled, wash everything with alcohol and grease it. You will tell me (by automatic translation) Greetings from Barcelona - Spain.

[@claudioalbertobaffert2313]

Muy instructivo! Muy bueno!!! Saludos desde Bs. As. Argentina.

[@josephstroud4932]

That is a great video. The video is so helpful to me as one who enjoyed clocks as a hobby. First time seeing clock put together. Getting the strike into proper place is very helpful also. Thank you for taking the time and sticking it out to share getting the clock together. Thank you for sharing. Hope you will put more clocks videos on Thanks

[@porterfamilyarchives4912]

Ain’t it a great feeling when it all finally works….?

[@brucecollins5690]

How convenient to have the posts mounted on the opposite plate!

[@andrewdeacon4384]

Thank you for such a helpful video, especially the systematic strike train set-up explained so clearly. Great job.

[@mylesdenny7981]

Thanks for the info I am working on almost the same Ansonia movement, my first one that I have taken apart and replaced the strike spring,so now I know how to set up that strike side so it will function. Excellent!!! I

[@cassidywoods392]

Amazing! It took me a few tries to get everything right, even if my clock is not the same, just a little bit different, it works with a few changes! Thank you for the vid and help!

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

Beautiful work. I have this movement to repair and this video will be helpful when I get to reassembly.

[@aegrau2513]

Hold the two plates with some rubber rings, it will prevent everything from dismantling. It is not very orthodox, but it is effective. (by automatic translator) Saludos Barcelona - España

[@BradfordNeedham]

Thank you for the excellent recommendation!

[@ПашаПитецкий]

Дякую вам за працю, хай щастить 😊❤

[@jtmcdole]

I don't have the same clock (a Gilbert 1906 8 day) - but this video I think explains why it continues to strike! At first my governor was loose, so it was striking to fast, but with that crimped, I'm nearly 100% certain the warning pin (warding pin?) is misaligned.

[@johnnybquick2849]

Very informative video. Thank you for it really helped me out a lot.

[@BradfordNeedham]

I'm glad it came in handy - thanks!

[@marka2746]

Where do you get your parts from ...if I may ask? I have a set of works ...1878 I believe. But they've been through the ringer and I need a few bits. TIA

[@BradfordNeedham]

I buy most of my parts from Time Savers (timesavers.com/). I've also looked at Merritts (www.merritts.com/) and a few others. For the times I've needed parts such as missing clock wheels, I've bought a clock on eBay that's listed as "for parts and repair" - one that doesn't run, but may have the parts I need.

[@nealstreet1956]

I have assembled an Ansoina clock. Your videos were very helpful. It clean and re-assembled and seems to be working fine with one exception. It stops at exactly 1:15 each 12hr journey. It runs perfectly otherwise, it seems to be in beat and keeping good time. The fingers do not seem to be interfering with each other. Any ideas what the problem may be.??

[@tilica5353]

Great work ! Thank you for this video . Desde España.

[@gmsmithucdavisedu]

Thanks for an informative video. Maybe you can answer a question ... I don't see any mechanism to give the pendulum a push to overcome friction and keep it going. The only connection to the pendulum I see is the escapement. The escape wheel is connected to the main time spring, so it has power. Then, is it the pressure of the escape wheel on the verge that keeps the pendulum swinging? I don't have any parts left over after re-assembly, so I'm wondering why the pendulum slows and stops. Thanks.

[@BradfordNeedham]

After reading your question I realized that I didn't show the final steps of assembly: installing the pendulum and mounting the movement in its case. To answer your question: yes, the power is transferred from the time mainspring to the escape wheel, which then pushes the verge. The verge then transfers that energy through the crutch to the pendulum. The pendulum should hang through a loop in the bottom of the crutch; that's how the crutch pushes the pendulum back and forth. A lot of things can cause the clock to stop after running fine for a few minutes. The simplest one being that the clock is just dirty - but since you've reassembled your clock, I assume it's clean. The next easiest one is the clock being "out of beat": the swing of the pendulum should be centered, so that the "tick" and "tock" of the ticking clock each take the same amount of time. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpjRp4ychbuYmrs for a quick description of how to put a clock in beat. A more complex reason that a clock will slow and stop is worn pivot holes: ideally, each wheel's pivot should sit in the center of a round hole in the front or back plate of the movement. A worn, egg-shaped hole will make the corresponding wheel be off-center, making that wheel not mesh correctly with the other wheels. Repairing a pivot hole is called "Bushing" or sometimes "re-bushing". A good demonstration of how to bush a pivot hole is at kzbin.info/www/bejne/baGtd4ivjrKIZ9E. Finally, there are tons of types of wear and damage that can stop a clock: worn or missing teeth, bent gears, and worn out ("Set") springs to name a couple. I've read a couple clock repair books that recommend not spending a lot of energy trying to find why a clock stops running, but to instead spend that time making sure the clock is clean, the pivot holes aren't worn, and the various parts of the clock aren't bent or worn. I'm just starting clock repair, so I haven't yet run into a frustrating clock that will run, then stop. dperry428 on KZbin has a pile more experience, and may have further advice for you. Good luck, and let me know how it turns out.

[@gmsmithucdavisedu]

​Excellent. Thank you. I'll let you know.

[@gmsmithucdavisedu]

I bent the crutch a bit to equalize the tik and tok so that it is 'in beat', and it has been running for a week. Thank you.

[@Paulcooked]

Great video! One thing tho, how do you get the clamps off the springs while it's put together? The springs came off without clamps so I can't just do the reverse of taking it apart

[@BradfordNeedham]

My Bad - I should have shown me removing the clamps just before 31:59. To remove a clamp, you wind the mainspring up until the clamp is loose and you can feed the clamp out of the movement starting with one end of the clamp. It's the reverse of attaching the clamp which you can see demonstrated at Scottie's Clock World's video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYCzp32HlsmIrpIsi=7tRX8e6cKL1HbotA&t=228

[@joatmonuk]

Gulp... Not looking forward to servicing/restoring my Ansonia movement haha. I'm grateful for your time, patience and recording this, will help with my own mental/dexterity torment haha, thank you. 😉

[@ypres1917]

I have just purchased an ultrasonic cleaner but I'm uncertain as to what fluid to use to clean clocks. It has been suggested Simple Green diluted in water. Would you tell me what you use? Many thanks!

[@BradfordNeedham]

Good question. My latest post on Needhamia.com, titled "Cleaning a Clock Movement" describes my current cleaning process. I used to use Vigor brand ultrasonic cleaning fluid because it's non-toxic and septic-tank-friendly, but it doesn't seem to be available any more. In that post's section titled "Alternatives Other Clock Repairers Use", I give a few pointers to what recommendations I've found. You'll find there are as many cleaning fluid recommendations as there are clock repairers. Personally, I'd avoid complex home-mixed recipes because I don't know whether they're safe for me, my house's pipes, or the environment. Good luck, and let me know what you decide to use.

[@ypres1917]

@@BradfordNeedham Thanks for directing me to your other videos. I have now established my cleaning regime. I first put the clock parts in a 10:1 mix of water and Simple Green HD and run the ultrasonic for 15 minutes. This removes the vast majority of dirt, oils grease, etc. I then run it for 20 minutes in a mix of 7:1 water and PolyChem DEOX-007 and that does a remarkable job - the brass comes out brilliant and bright - like new! I do the Simple Green wash first as the PolyChem is expensive ($50 per gallon) and this process means it can be used many times. I've done three clock movements this way with excellent results. I purchased the PolyChem from a clock/watch supply company in Toronto (Perrins).

[@donaldjones8920]

I was wondering whether you could use a clamp to hold the whole assembly together so you would have both hands free to make adjustments.

[@jackal58590]

I purchased a mantel clock 2nd hand.It runs for approximately 2 minutes ,then stops,I soaked it in petrol, and it looks clean,can’t see any badly worn parts,what’s the next step I can try! It’s not worth taking it too a clock repairer,I only gave £20 for it,it’s approximately 1950s,tried altering the pendulum also.any advice,I’m a amateur..Thanks.

[@BradfordNeedham]

A lot of clock-stopping grime can hide in places you must disassemble the clock to see. One alternative to a professional clock repairer is hobbyist or retired clock repairers. For example @dperry428 on KZbin (kzbin.infovideos). He sometimes repairs clocks for a donation to his favorite charity. Many NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) local chapters list local clock repairers. Google "NAWCC" and your location to find the local chapter. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

[@goldnbird1]

My Ansonia drop octagonal calendar clock movement is ready to refit to the wooden case after a clean and oil. The calendar assembly has not worked for some time but all the parts are there, I just need some one OR picture to set it up I can load a pic / movie of the parts if necessary. Mark

[@BradfordNeedham]

I haven't yet worked with a calendar assembly, sorry. I do recall seeing a video of someone working on the lunar disk of a grandfather (long-case) clock, but that's likely a different mechanism. You may find some useful information searching for 'calendar' on the (USA) National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors' forum (mb.nawcc.org/search/2249494/?q=calendar&t=post&c[child_nodes]=1&c[nodes][0]=22&o=relevance) Please let me know how it turns out & good luck.

[@goldnbird1]

@@BradfordNeedham Thanks Bradford, I sent a pic to John Fencean and he said it needed a spring and that made sense given the little wheel and holes so I fashioned one from a little one out of a vacuum cleaner and now I have wonderful working 100 year old Ansonia on my wall.

[@ilioemilio3504]

great video end good work. best regards!!!!

[@jugtainsajjadjani5980]

Sarwar Khan Thank you very much for such a valuabe video. I have got the same clock but some of its parts have been lost somewhere. I would like to request the company if it can gift me the complete same machinery so that I could fit it in my clock to bring it in running position. I am a poor man and cannot afford such a huge amount for the said machinery. I shall ever remain indebted to the company this this kindness.

[@BradfordNeedham]

If you're asking me to give you an Ansonia clock movement, I'm sorry I can't do that. The least expensive option I know of is for you to buy a used Ansonia movement on eBay - I understand that those movements may still be too expensive for you.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

This movement looks to be unnecessarily complex and awkward, compared to an E. N. Welch movement of the same era. Thanks for the upload.

[@oscarlobo6446]

Excellent it was very informative I learnt a lot thanks

[@epicflicks7657]

Sir can you kindly mention the specifications of the mainsprings of this clock? I am working on the restoration of one of the same clocks and need to replace the mainsprings but don't know which one are used. Thank you

[@s.spencertenagodus8051]

Thank you Bradford, I too, like treetopspider have come stuck on an Ansonia style clock - its not an Ansonia so I have to do everything backwards because I am working from the front plate up. you have helped me after my 3rd assembly attempt to get things in sync. Like you I have snapped the strike hammer spring and you refer to "getting a new one" I have tried Clockworks of Huntington MA but without luck - not possible to easily get in the UK; so can you suggest a supplier in the States for me please? I would also get the additonal spring for the sync levers. I can make do but would prefer to stick to proper suppliers and replacements. PS treetopspider has some interesting videos on YTube about slate clocks restorations - if you have a slate clock worth a look.

[@BradfordNeedham]

Born Again Clocks has a video on making a Helper Spring winder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKmXY4x-aN2ph6s I made my own 3D printed spring winder, which is terrible (still breaks easily) but held together long enough for me to wind the spring I needed. For the hammer helper wire, I bought Brass Spring Wire - 24 Gauge (.020") from Timesavers: timesavers.com/i-8946642-brass-spring-wire-24-gauge-020.html I see from my notes that I also bought some Brass Spring Wire - 26 Gauge (016"), timesavers.com/i-8946643-brass-spring-wire-26-gauge-016.html , to replace what I called the Lever Spring (it was a while ago; I'm not sure what spring I was talking about). Thanks for the pointer to TreeTopSpider (kzbin.infovideos); his videos look useful. Thanks again!

[@ronaldeisel5927]

Exceptional video! Thanks

[@fortun8diamond]

I like clock movements.

[@julien23lastchristmas2]

Please i need a video about springs power energy how it work , i'am trying to make my own Clock ! Thank you

[@BradfordNeedham]

I'm sorry, but I know almost nothing about choosing a clock spring. User @Clickspring may be able to help you: he has a long playlist about making a brass clock from scratch: kzbin.info/aero/PLZioPDnFPNsETq9h35dgQq80Ryx-beOli If you are interested in making a 3D printed clock, user @jacquesfavre999 has designed several: www.youtube.com/@jacquesfavre999/videos Congratulations on choosing your project, and good luck!

[@jill552]

I love your video but wish it was the movement I have. Thank you.

[@BradfordNeedham]

What movement do you have? I might be able to cover it in a future video.

[@jill552]

@@BradfordNeedham It’s an Ingraham. Pat Oct 8 79 Nov 11 79. Rear mounted. I’m really concerned I won’t be able to set the striking when I begin this project.

[@saisamayseva8712]

With due respect: Set the main wheels first, set the hammer, put the centre wheel or the minute pole, put the first wheels on both the sides,put the cam wheel and second wheel in place, then put the pin wheel on the strike side and the third wheel on the going side and finally put the fly-wheel or the fan and escape wheel on the going side and just before the fly wheel put the stop lever and then attempt to the plate on. Push the hammer in place and put the nuts on to the poles near the main springs half way. Start pushing all the wheels of the going side onto the holes one by one and put a nut half way. Take to the strike side and push the first wheel, second wheel, cam wheel,pin wheel and the stop lever and the fan wheel and put the half way. Now put the lever or Arbour through the slit from above so as to touch the escape wheel slightly lifting the plate gently and thereafter tighten all the nuts one by one. This method makes the work easier and enjoyable. You can cut short the struggle in this fashion. All the best.

[@BradfordNeedham]

Thanks for the tip - such advice is so helpful to folks like me who are just starting out. I'll give your method a try the next time I reassemble this clock. Thanks again!

[@saisamayseva8712]

@@BradfordNeedham You are welcome with your problems too, may be I can guide in the right direction.Love

[@mashainterior]

Super explain

[@RaviKumar-xy4me]

Hi...., this is Ravi from India. I have an old antique ansonia wall clock. Now its not in condition...., that means I lost pendulum of that...., I don't know the weight of that pendulam. Where can I get it...., I have searched so many shops in Bangalore..., Karnataka...., I didn't get can you suggest me the weight of the pendulum..., I'll share the picture of clock..., please share up mail l D..., thank you so much for sharing this video....!

[@BradfordNeedham]

Interestingly, my Ansonia clock lacked its original pendulum, so I bought a seemingly-original one on eBay. I don't like buying clock parts on eBay unless it's clear that the seller isn't just disassembling clocks and selling the parts for more than the whole clock is worth - that's a sad thing to do to a clock. The replacement pendulum I bought weighs 105 grams; the bob alone weighs 91 grams, and the stick plus rating nut weighs 13 grams. The stick is about 175 mm long. Best of luck bringing your clock back to life, and let me know how it goes.

[@BradfordNeedham]

The pendulum for this Ansonia clock is visible in my short demonstration of pendulum suspension rod length, at kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZLSm2CjpbmFgsU

[@RaviKumar-xy4me]

@@BradfordNeedham really am proud of you..., thanks for your quick reply....! Have a nice day...!

[@akongngoei774]

Sir what brand of watch was it made.thank you.

[@BradfordNeedham]

It is an Ansonia Clock Company "Derby" clock. See needhamia.com/clock-repair-101-the-second-clock-a-craft-damaged-ansonia-derby/ and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansonia_Clock_Company

[@iawell2000]

muito obrigado pela dica!!!

[@BradfordNeedham]

De nada!

[@dharamsinhmali9012]

Very nice....

[@darrylfrench8541]

I have a New Haven Ansonia gingerbread clock I have taken apart . Super cleaned it. It differs from all the other Nw Haven movements that I can find on the net. Mine has a straight top with fly governor in the middle at the top. My warning/stop pin is on the upper end of Strike train. When I put it back together I never get the warning/stop pin in the correct position and it will hang up or just keep gonging. I found one movement on Ebay that was a exact match but got outbid. Kinda know how that works. As soon as I bid whoever is watching automatically bids another .50. Could be the seller bumping up the price. Shipping was ridiculous too. If you can help it would be gratefully appreciated. By the way, it was super filthy. Some (gear pins are worn and bent. Plus 1st wheel teeth were bent but was able to bend them back. Seems like that gear is made of to soft brass. And I am just a amature and don't know how to replace the small sprocket pins so will probably just leave them alone.

[@BradfordNeedham]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience trying to buy a clock on eBay. I've had trouble sometimes with automatic bids - I don't know how high the other bid really is, because the other buyer's automatic bid keeps increasing just a little to stay ahead of mine. The actual other bid could have been $10 higher! It can be frustrating. Shipping a clock is often expensive because a properly-packed clock takes a much larger shipping box than the clock does. I've read horror stories from clock buyers who found the seller hadn't packed the clock well, and it was demolished in shipping. About your clock, I haven't worked on a New Haven yet, but it likely has a warning pin that works like this Ansonia clock's - though the details of position, number of warning pins, and how the lever drops are likely different. I've sometimes had to adjust the warning pin 5 or 6 times before I get it into the right position - it's hard to keep the warning wheel from moving as I click the wheels in place and close the plates. All I can say is to practice - I know that's not very helpful advice. By the way, if several gears of your clock are bent, it may be the clock suffered a broken spring at some point, which can bend many parts out of place; you've managed to choose a challenging clock to work on. Best of luck, and let me know how it goes.

[@yp7038]

Can you help me to repair my clock?

[@bradleyleben7785]

And cussing doesn’t help!🤣 coffee works! Large cups. 😂

[@gmsmithucdavisedu]

Now that the clock is running, I find that the chime goes on forever. Unfortunately, the chime mechanism in this Korean knock-off is completely different from the one you describe. Do you have experience with other varieties? I have pictures and videos, if you're interested.

[@BradfordNeedham]

My first clock repair was of a Korean-made clock sold by Montgomery Ward. I have a few short videos on this channel, and a set of blogs about it starting at needhamia.com/clock-repair-101-lasciate-ogne-speranza-voi-chintrate/ - that info might help a little. Good luck!

[@gmsmithucdavisedu]

@@BradfordNeedham Thank you very much.

[@gmsmithucdavisedu]

Yep. Had to get the wheel with the warning pin in the right position. Thank you.

[@78Piedmont]

Are you left handed?

[@BradfordNeedham]

Bingo!

[@jugtainsajjadjani5980]

Further to my earlier comments. I do not want a new one it may be a used machinery taken out from an old clock even that will serve my purpose. Once again thanks.

[@sand0077]

Yes, tedious and frustrating to say the least, a true test of one's patience and it's limits. Then one discovers a wheel installed upside down after assembly. :(

[@mdwaliullahqasmi]

Ye clock mere pas hai

[@walujowalujo4033]

Gak ngerti.

[@imranimtiyaz9272]

𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

[@benjamindejonge3624]

Intrusive back noise

[@BradfordNeedham]

That weird, constant chirping noise is an artifact of my previous camera. The new camera (phone) doesn't create that noise.