How to Fix an Alarm Clock with Brake Cleaner!! A Trick to get a Vintage Travel Clock Ticking Again!

[@paulpaul1-t8v]

Thanks to your site i have now fixed my 42 year old german travel clock paul

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Awesome work Paul, well done! 👍😊🙌

[@paulpaul1-t8v]

@@TheUltimateRecycler Thanks

[@afineliner740]

Very good, another save. Hopefully someone will use this trick to save another clock. 👍

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Yes, it is very rewarding when people comment that they have had success too!

[@barrypurves4524]

At 73 this brings back memories of visiting grandma's house in the city of Peterboroug Ont. where Westclock had a large (in its day) factory.......thanks for the memories

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

That's great! Thanks for watching Barry 😊👍

[@anthonym.3931]

Awesome Video! I remember these from the mid-late '70's.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Many thanks Anthony. There are a lot of them around still, in sheds & cupboards!

[@anthonym.3931]

@@TheUltimateRecycler I have been a fan of your work for some time. You are the Man! My Dad and Grandfather would have approved of your work. It's called working smart; not hard unless you had to do a tear down and repair/replace.

[@anthonym.3931]

@@TheUltimateRecycler You would repair an alarm clock for me from circa 60's with a german movement? It's a two bell wind up alarm. I am willing to pay you. It's a Bulova. Let me know.

[@genegould4297]

Thanks for the video. This helped me repair a Europa travel alarm clock that was given to me many decades ago by my grandparents. It had been inoperable for about 35 years or so, until I decided to attempt repairing it this evening.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks Gene, I hope you had success 👍😊

[@Dee.C]

For a time growing up my grandma only had one clock in the house and it was one of those little travel clocks . It brings back memories .

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Great memories I hope Dee! 😊

[@Dee.C]

@@TheUltimateRecycler Yes, summers in Michigan were some of the best of my childhood . Thank you .

[@JT-qe4pm]

@@Dee.C My grandfather had one he used for an alarm. I remember staying at his house and could not sleep because of the ticking. lol It brings back good memories.

[@michaelgraves4856]

I have several travel alarms, some work ok and some not at all. Can't wait to try this on a few! Thank you for the hack

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks for watching Michael, hope you have some success 😊👍

[@Pratham-bl3co]

Helooo sir I just picked one of these up , it runs perfectly well, what would you recommend to keep the watch running well and maintenance

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

They will need a lube with good quality clock oil every few years or so - but only a tiny amount on the pivots.

[@Pratham-bl3co]

What would you recommend oil I can use if you don't mind me asking

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

@@Pratham-bl3co I now use a fully synthetic engine oil like Mobil 1.

[@TeakWoodIsHard]

I love fixing, sometimes failing, to fix all kinds of clocks. I really like that you are working on an inexpensive West clock (travel clock). I just started a clean of a desktop westclock (1950s?). I am trying something new, using spray penetrating oil. Let it sit and then clean it with break cleaner

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

It's good to experiment Peter - and it makes sense to do that with inexpensive stuff of course! Thanks for watching and let me know how your repair goes.. 😊

[@TeakWoodIsHard]

The clock runs perfectly. Next i need to make a new plastic face for it. I'll post a pic

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

then oil?

[@beachbum4691]

Very helpful, I need to buy the brake cleaner and compressed air, but I've got all the other bits and two expensive clocks to fix; so I'm a lot closer to a win than I was before. and I learned elsewhere "the tiniest amount of oil only" because surface tension will hold it in place, more and it will run and you have nothing left. Great video :) worth a tick and a subscribe :) thank you :) (John Perth Australia)

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks John. If there are expensive clocks, perhaps they would be better off having a full dismantle and proper clean. This hack I only really use for cheaper ones..

[@theaussienurseflipper.8113]

I'm 52, did think a good spray of brake cleaner help me? Cheers

[@lesallison9047]

I use whisky, it seems to work for little while. 😉

[@davidrassler3589]

@@lesallison9047 That's a good one!!! 😆

[@theaussienurseflipper.8113]

@@lesallison9047 I been trying that too, takes the edge off

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Hahaha @Les Allison 🤣🤣

[@m44guy]

@@lesallison9047 you can loose track of time

[@bucklbr4]

Awesome. I fixed my deceased Dad's 2 jewell :-) Sonett travel clock!

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Fantastic! Well done Brian! 👏😃

[@JT-qe4pm]

Thank you for this information, I have a brass clock and instead of using gasoline, I purchased the spray brake cleaner instead.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks JT - hope it works for you! 👍

[@anthonym.3931]

I have (2) Phinney Walker's who used to make Japan movement Clocks for Westclox and a Seth Thomas made in West Germany. All way better than China Movements; used the brake cleaner fix on all but the Seth Thomas. Love it! Thank you!

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

That's awesome Anthony, well done! 🙌👍

[@SlotXTv]

Thank you sir i have citizen brand like that and with same problem .. tomorrow ill check it this will work and save money for the repair.. thank you and more power sir

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks for watching and I hope your repair is successful! 😊👍

[@SlotXTv]

@@TheUltimateRecycler it's a success sir i used wd40 and spray all over then spray with air and I little kick on some gear to move again then it's ok now thank you very much again

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Thank you

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks Cynthia 😊

[@grahamharkness5744]

Brilliant.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks Graham 😊

[@clivefinlay3901]

I’ve got an old mantle clock and every few weeks I give the balance mechanism a judicious spray with contact cleaner (Servisol) have been doing this for about 12 years and it runs just fine! It’s a 1930s clock and I doubt it’s ever been serviced in its life! The contact cleaner cleans the metal serfaces and leaves a very fine thin lubricating oil behind.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Certainly not the recommended way but as long as it's done often, it will work. The trouble is that if someone else becomes the new owner and doesn't continue this routine, the pivots will wear out very quickly as the thin oil will probably dry up..

[@RobSchofield]

Thanks, did the trick!

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Excellent Rob, well done! 👍😊

[@zs1dfr]

Thanks for this tip, Chris. You give me encouragement to try this on a mantle clock I have that has no amplitude, and only runs if tilted over to the right at an angle of 45 degrees! Now how about doing a service on the 400 day clock up on your shelf???

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

I have a few 400 day clocks Dave and don't know much about them! Still, that won't stop me doing a video on them at some stage! 😉🤣

[@zs1dfr]

@@TheUltimateRecycler The biggest problem is treating that suspension spring with HUGE respect. It breaks very easily, and the kind of tensile steel replacement wire you need is almost unobtanium. I've got one that has been serviced, but I cannot get it to keep time. They have to be on level ground, and setting the position of the weights is very tricky!

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

@@zs1dfr I'll probably have to do a bit more research before I tackle one of them!

[@BELINDA_LANE]

I wish my hands were that steady😊🇨🇵

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

It does depend on my coffee intake Will! 🤣

[@philipsnyder8739]

Chris, Love the care and refurbishment of the same clock I inherited from my father who took it off the last ship he served on the Light cruiser USS Santa Fe. Now needs your kind of help? Especially intrigued with the method used to make all parts look band new, brake cleaner and brass bristled brush? How different from other highly refined petro chemicals lacquer thinner, Acetone etc? Philip

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Hey Philip, thanks for watching 😊 I didn't set out to make the parts look new, it was just a matter of getting the solvent in there to clean out all the old dried oil. I think any solvent could be used as long as it is able to dissolve the oil and not leave a residue.

[@Th3Pr0digalS0n]

I had one of these as a child. It stopped working and eventually got tossed. 😥 I pulled the clock out and used the case as a change holder for a while.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Nice effort at repurposing at least TPS! 👏

[@tecraman8100]

You probably could find replica for it on eBay like I did for a last model Big Ben wesclox alarm clock that my late Dad had years ago

[@lesallison9047]

Nice hack Chris, love those clocks. I have not seen one for quite a few years! You never mentioned for the younger people, that the dial and hands are glow in the dark! As kid I loved to hold them up as close to a light bulb as I could, then switch out the light and look at how bright it glowed, 🤣🤣🤣 simple times, I want to get back to them. 🙂 I am now thinking I want one. ✌♥️🇬🇧

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Yeah Les, I can remember doing the same! Some used to glow a lot better than others! The earlier watches & clocks used radium for the glow stuff which you need to be very careful of (obviously!)

[@Britcheflee]

I have a round table top bulova alarm clock and followed your instructions - it now is running just fine. I can turn the knob for setting the alarm time hand but the two main hands do not move. I think moisture has caused the stem they are attached to to rust and stop them moving. I cannot work out how to access the clock face to try to lubricate the main hands and also to clean inside the front glass (or plastic I think) - So basically its ticking away fine but the hands do not move.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

It sounds like somehow the minute/hour hand wheels have become disengaged from the rest of the drive train actually. If the wheels were rusted, the friction would not allow the clock to run at all. Generally the entire clock movement will remove from the rear of the casing allowing you to access the dial glass/plastic. Good luck!

[@Peter-nj1jo]

thank you so much bro

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks Pete! 👍

[@robertknight4672]

Today I picked up in an antique store a Bradley travel clock with its original box. I didn't think to wind it up in the store to see if it worked. At check out time the lady accidentally dropped it a short distance when when she was putting it into the bag with my other items I did wind it in the car nothing happened. Several hours later I decided to check on it and it must have started ticking at some point. I just thought it was cool that it had the box when it's a and I didn't really care if it worked or not. It did have the separate Winder for thealarm and I wound that in the car and tested it so maybe that vibration from the bell freed something up.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Very good Robert! I don't think I've worked on a Bradley clock. It's certainly possible that vibrations - even from being dropped can free up things and get them working 👍😊

[@robertknight4672]

@@TheUltimateRecycler honestly I've never heard of that brand before I saw it.

[@muhammadrafique7799]

Condition looking good. Pl try hurry up to ssve time.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Is that a clock joke? 😂

[@chrissmith-rw8ei]

I have been using brake cleaner for years when I clean clock movements. After the gears and lifters come out of the U/S cleaner are dried I use brake cleaner and a brass bristle brush to finish the plates and gears.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks Chris, that's good to know! 😊👍

[@tonibob3184]

Great job, I have alarm clock Mad in Japan) it doesn’t work , i can’t open it because there’s no screws and I don’t know how to repair it

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

There will definitely be some way to open it Toni Bob. Sometimes feet screw off, sometimes the ring around the dial glass is a press fit that can be gently levered off! Good luck 😊

[@1marcelfilms]

I have this brake cleaner i bought in germany that seems to evaporate a lot slower than other brake cleaners. Sometimes annoying but useful for soaking purposes

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Yeah true, sometimes a soak does wonders! Perhaps use this one as a pre-wash - then use a more volatile cleaner afterwards 😊

[@jeebusyaweirdo3733]

What year is that??? May be radium paint

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Late 1960s I think - so probably a bit late for radium paint!

[@philspencelayh5464]

My Brother had his Hermle chiming clock to a "clock repairer" for repair and then returned because it still didnt work. I looked at if for him. When removing from the case I was covered in oil. It looked like a car gearbox and was dripping everywhere. I took it outside then sprayed it with the solution for cleaning my bike chain then brake cleaner to get the residue off. It immediately started to work. It ran ok for a week before I decidedly to finish the job and lube it with a small amount of clock oil just on the pivots this time.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

That person shouldn't call himself a clock repairer then! Well done on your corrective rescue! 😊👍

[@Cobesclocks]

Hermle uses enclosed mainspring barrels that brake cleaner will get inside the spring barrels and destroy the mainsprings

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

Does it have a second hand that is not working?

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Nope, that is the alarm indicator hand. Thanks for watching Lydia 😊

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

@@TheUltimateRecycler right-i have set alarm clocks before!

[@thetreasurehuntingboomer]

I wish I'd kept mine..haven't seen any for awhile in opshops

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

We seem to get quite a few in house cleanouts Nelly - perhaps they just never get donated?!

[@thetreasurehuntingboomer]

@@TheUltimateRecycler id love to do house clean outs

[@kevinwallis2194]

The nice thing about brake cleaner is the fact it dries quickly. Ive been told its not good on old clocks with gold gilding

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Yeah Kevin, I'm certainly pretty careful about where I spray it! Thanks for watching 😊

[@classydays43]

These mechanical alarm clocks are very easy to repair. I've fixed a couple old alarm clocks and all you really need to give it a deep clean is a screwdriver and a toothbrush. I'm not even joking, you can even oil the pivots with a toothpick dipped in oil. The part that I'm still stumped by comes to pivot and gear repair. So long as you lubricate the pivots once every fiveyears, each clock should last over a century.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks for your comment. Yes, regular maintenance and a good fresh lube will certainly prolong a clock's life. Most people don't though! They use them until they don't work properly and then often throw them out!

[@classydays43]

@@TheUltimateRecycler Or they end up in antique shops for cheap and then someone like me can enjoy them for decades more 😁

[@georgemartinezjr]

Brake cleaner is a good overall It use alot in Small Engine Repair. To clean parts Also in Automatic Transmission Repair to clean Valve Body Parts. I use to clean my Bike Chain Rear sprocket And Derullier After I brush The Parts with Charcoal Lighter And some degreaser

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Yep, handy stuff indeed George!👍😊

[@unvaxxeddoomerlife6788]

Nice. Have you tried this with a pocket watch?

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks. No I haven't but I do have some pocket watches to try and fix one day!

[@arsalanahmad1080]

I have this watch in very very good condition like as new in working condition

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

That's great! 👍😃

[@DavidTheDave]

A couple of things about brake cleaner: When they say it's flammable they're not kidding it is explosively flammable. No, I'm not going to share how I know (too embarrassed!). Also it is the only substance to which my skin has ever reacted and as a DIYer of many years that's saying something.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Yes David - a well ventilated area with no forms of ignition! I should have mentioned that! (Don't worry - I won't ask..). I guess gloves should be worn as well.. 🙄

[@anthonym.3931]

Can you show a better view next time of how you oil the pinion on the front just behind the face it's hard to see in your video; also, do you oil the wind up mechanism?

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

No worries Anthony, will try and film these things a bit better! Yep, a small amount of oil on the winding arbors 👍😊

[@heyo_peeps]

can i use wd40 to clean my clock?

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

WD40 isn't a good enough solvent to dissolve the old oil, so that would be of no benefit. Also WD40 is a terrible lubricant for clocks - so leave that can right on the shelf..

[@heyo_peeps]

@@TheUltimateRecycler thanks. 👍

[@kwacz]

yep, this will work temporarily, but I would not consider it fixed and would then worry about accelerated wear. but if you arent mechanically inclined, it will work as a fix for you. Just dont expect it to last many years after doing this.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I would like to know why you think the clock would have accelerated wear given that old dried oil and contaminates are removed and clean oil is applied? I will concede that the movement is not as clean as a complete dismantle and chemical/ultrasonic clean would leave it - but certainly not enough difference to claim a reduced life span to only a few years. It's not a matter of being mechanically inclined - it's purely a matter of economics! No one is going to undertake (or pay for) a complete professional overhaul on a $30 clock (at best!).

[@kwacz]

@@TheUltimateRecycler because the only way to remove all the contaminates is a disassembly cleaning and relubing. You are not washing it all out, yes most of it but not all of it. The left behind dirt will cause wear and wear causes more dirt and grit which causes more wear. The sewing machine oil is not the correct oil. Sewing machine oil is designed to spread while clock oil is designed to stay where you put it. Also you lubricate sewing machines much more often than a clock. Too much oil or oil spreading out will collect dirt which even fine dust is an abrasive. anybody mechanically inclined can disassemble this themselves and it doesn't cost money to do this, just the cost of whatever you clean it with to degrease and the oil. that's it. I own a cooku clock and disassemble and clean it every two years and I am amazed that the oil is black and filthy. I only oil the pivots on this clock and it gets black in this amount of time. Now if you're not going to run it very often I wouldn't worry so much but if you plan to use this clock everyday then it will wear out early. maybe I'm being too by the book about this, but I also try to make things last as absolutely long as possible but do everything myself.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

@@kwacz Thanks for the detailed reply mate. Yes, I do agree with what you've said if you are going by the book! Most (read "just about all") would not tackle pulling a movement completely apart - even if they are mechanically inclined. Cost is rather massive if you value your time!! It's fine if you are a retired mechanical engineer and have hours to kill on a regular basis.. But then people spend hours watching test cricket - so I guess it comes down to what you get enjoyment from! 🤣

[@kwacz]

@@TheUltimateRecycler true, I do this type of thing as a hobby, but I guess like you said most people wouldn't. Your right, it is time consuming to do, so this is really the only other alternative if you want to get it to run and don't want to or have time to take apart.

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

@@kwaczI am sure I can disassemble it. Putting it back together properly is a different story.

[@DurokSubaka]

I’m crying

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Why?

[@DurokSubaka]

Brake cleaner removed some old gummy oil but without disassembly and reoiling both pivots with proper lube it isn’t going to last long. It just kills me to see shortcuts being taken. Maybe it’s just my past I owned a tool and equipment repair rebuild facility most of my life and I repair watches and clocks now. It pains me to see improper maintenance on any device. I know it’s just a travel alarm, but it’s a legacy from a time gone by and in the world of digital technology It’s a shame to see analog equipment go to waste.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

@@DurokSubaka Thanks for the explanation, and yes in a perfect world, I do agree! However - this video is aimed at a home handyman who is faced with a choice of lobbing a non-working clock into the bin, or giving it a simple clean and lube which can give the clock an extended life. Two things are clear in this situation.. 1/ The average handyman would not be competent is undertaking the proper service methods and having a good working clock at the end of it, even assuming he has access to the right tools & oil. 2/ Even if the guy was able to find a clock repairer who would take on the job of a proper disassembly & reoil (very unlikely), there is no way anyone would be keen to pay 10x the value of the clock to have it serviced! So as for saving the legacy of an old time-piece - I'd much prefer a shortcut like this that really doesn't cause any damage, than seeing the clock consigned to landfill to rust away - or crushed and melted for its scrap metal value. *passes a tissue..

[@martincowie4520]

You didn't show us you pricing and placing it in your shop! I'm guessing if someone was local and enjoyed watching the repair, they might snap it up as a novelty present... It's not every day you can share a gift's repair history...

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

It's in the shop now Martin - hasn't sold yet. I do usually tell customers that there is a youtube vid on how an item was repaired! I'm not sure if many go and look..

[@martincowie4520]

If you're feeling like going the extra mile, you could turn the tinyurl into a QR code!

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

I just bought an antique clock for next to nothing. I am sure it will cost a few hundred dollars to get it in fully working order.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Yep, that's the problem - the cost of repair and even just a service these days by a professional is usually way more than what the clock is worth! 😕

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

@@TheUltimateRecycler if you are happy with a piece of wall-art, you have nothing to lose by experimenting. The clock I got seems to be missing some pieces that would make it chime, but I would at least want it to tick, if I could manage that.?

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

@@lydiaahubbell8545 Certainly nothing to lose - and knowledge to be gained! 😀👍

[@jbfrank7519]

Now that you have removed the goo ,you need to relube the poor thing.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Most definitely jb! Thanks for watching 😊

[@sammaxwell9963]

This method isn't actually that bad. I know some clock shops that don't even disassemble the gear train when servicing and just soak the movement in naptha (solvent) then ultrasonic and reapply oil. So this isn't even that bad since it's free.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

It certainly wouldn't surprise me if clock shops did something similar for many cheaper movements that aren't worth the dismantle/reassembly time! Thanks for watching 👍😊

[@robradomski1]

Could someone show how to actually just set it he alarm clock and how it works. I have a linden Japanese and can't find a single video lol where someone just shows how to get it working

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

It's amazing no one has done a simple 'how-to' video on that!

[@TonyNL87]

As a watch collector who loves the mechanical watches this hurts to watch!😅 I know this is a clock but the technology is pretty much the same. My dad has one of those and I hope he gives it to me one day and I'm gonna service it the right way. Using an ultrasonic cleaner and using the right synthetic oils that are made for clccks.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks for watching Erwin. Yes, a proper dismantle and clean and then a re-oil with synthetic oil is definitely the best way. Don't be sad about this video - it is just a hack for people who don't have the skills to do the job properly, or don't want to spend a lot more than the clock is worth to have it done professionally. This method will also only work on a clock that is gummed up with old oil, but otherwise is in good unworn condition. Watches are a bit different as they have a much finer tolerance and need more precise care.