Mistakes Were Made: Round 2 Gilbert Clock Restoration

[@jakehanifee8856]

There is little I admire more than someone willing to own their mistakes and to do it graciously. You are a stand up guy!

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thank you! I embrace mistakes and failures. I try not to make mistakes, but they are bound to happen when trying something new. I accept them as part of the process and use them to get better. The only sure way to not make any mistakes is to not try at all. Thanks for watching!

[@BradfordNeedham]

I'm delighted that you calculate the ideal beats per minute from the tooth and pinion counts - I've hardly seen any KZbin clock repairer do that, and I feel it saves a lot of time regulating the clock when everything is back together. Thanks for this video

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks! You can also calculate the ideal pendulum length as well, but I haven't shown that yet. It's something I calculate just in case the pendulum length is wrong. Thanks for watching!

[@klintharder2155]

lol I love @2:55 that you just triggered 3 trolls in in one blow... 1.) Using a Slotted screw driver on a 2.) (not period correct)Philips head screw. 3.) buy the correct tools.. Keep it up... its your hobby.. we are just guests invited to watch...

[@WatchOverhaul]

Haha, yeah. If I don't ruin someone's day at least once per video, then I'm not doing my job correctly :). I figured since I was getting rid of those screws it didn't matter, but I'm sure someone is going to be triggered. Thanks for watching!

[@bfx8185]

@@WatchOverhaul And don't use needle to clean the dirt , use pegwood to prevent any scratches. And use gloves or finger coats to prevent contamination by sweaty fingers. 😎

[@bradb4075]

Good video, but I was amused by this part too. All that care to use tweezers so he doesn't scratch those brand new screws that he just used the wrong tool on. LOL To the channel owner, thanks for a good video. Might poke a little fun at you because it wasn't perfect, but it's fun for us to watch you do this anyway. None of us are perfect. :) Keep it up!

[@stevebowen809]

while you are looking for tools, better screwdrivers the slot should be almost filled by the tip, this reduces damage, those nuts are not metric, use the imperial drivers on imperial screws.

[@jordanbusby6231]

A suggestion for reassemble use two rubber bands on the plates to provide just enough pressure

[@WatchOverhaul]

That's a really good idea! I'll have to try that. Thanks for watching!

[@sooth15]

This was a lovely revisit to a previous project. Everything was done quite nicely. I don't' know if I would trust plastic zip ties on mainsprings. If you want another cheap and reliable (and reusable) option, I strongly suggest hose clamps. You can get these in various sizes at most hardware stores for a few dollars. It's nice that your movement still has the original Geneva stops as most of these tend to get thrown away or lost. The only thing I would change are the hands. The ones currently on the clock are not period or correct. This Gilbert clock probably originally had Maltese pattern hands, which are still available as replacements. You could also consider looking for gold decals for the glass. I believe these are getting harder to find, but should still be available in limited patterns. You probably would not be able to get the same one as it had originally, but something similar would look nicer than plain glass. It's quite a nice looking clock and the case is in good shape, so may be worth it.

[@WatchOverhaul]

At the moment, I'm cautiously trusting the zip ties, and I hope it doesn't come back to bite me. From my research, there seems to be a few pounds of force required to retain a wound mainspring. Since each zip tie has a tensile strength of 60 lbs, I thought I would be in good shape. I've read that you can easily hold a spring in your hand and keep it wound. There is a nice discussion here about this topic: mb.nawcc.org/threads/restraining-mainsprings.136308. I also noticed the hands are different on this clock compared to pictures of the same clock I've found online and that the decal is missing. I might replace the hands one day, but the decal is tricky. I couldn't seem to find a common decal that was used for this exact clock, and I didn't want to put some rogue decal on. Thanks for taking the time to reach out!

[@Cobesclocks]

@@WatchOverhaulbuy some metal C clamps they are reusable and you won’t have to waste zip ties

[@marekmal328]

Great job.👍 I think he will be calling the hours for many years to come. However, I would paint the hands with some non-aggressive paint, from a greater distance they cannot be distinguished from the dial and the whole content is charming.

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks! I thought about painting them, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I kind of like how they look a little worn out - it's consistent with it's age. Thanks for watching!

[@Cobesclocks]

The solution I sent you has been tested on many American clock movements and is 100 percent safe to use. The simple green might clean a little bit but it will never get off the hardened grease like at 20:39. I sent you in in the email. I’ll send some pictures of how well it works.

[@Cobesclocks]

The simple green does not make the plates shiny and might confuse repair people to believe it hasn’t been cleaned in a while

[@Cobesclocks]

If you still wanna go with the simple green route mix it with 2 cups of acetone

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks for the "Super Thanks"! So, the main reason I didn't use your formula on this clock is because I didn't necessarily want the movement to look very shiny and new. This is my personal clock that's been passed down many times and has sentimental value to me. I like that it looks antique, and making the movement look like it was made yesterday would ruin some of its charm and erase some of its aging characteristics. I do want to try the formula, though. I like the idea of making everything bright and shiny again, but just not on my clock. I will probably be able to try it on the next one.

[@carlocalcamuggi8118]

Hello, I think the solution fo the winding spring is to extend the rod close to your thumb so you ca n reach to push back agains the winding side and block the handle.

[@WatchOverhaul]

That's a good idea. I have a couple of other ideas, but they are a little more complicated. I'll have to experiment a little. Thanks for watching!

[@carlocalcamuggi8118]

You did a good job……😊

[@jeeptrick1992]

Nice video looks much cleaner

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks 👍

[@johndyer236]

Simple green is a good cleaner in most things but doesn’t deep clean clock movements. I would buy some ammonia and start by 1 part ammonia and 3 parts water. It should be plenty strong to clean the areas behind the ratchet wheels and Geneva stops. I’ve rebuilt many clock movements and this works for me.

[@WatchOverhaul]

I've read about using ammonia. I might try that sometime. Thanks for watching!

[@porlasrazonesmeditadas]

Desde mi afición a la relojería y probar varios líquidos de limpieza no encuentro ninguno realmente eficaz a pesar de buscar por internet, probaré está proporción de amoniaco haber que tal resulta , gracias

[@tveksam8347]

I use Elma red as washing fluid in my ultrasonic cleaner. Its amonium based and on 1:10 ratio with water. Its realy good. / Amateur watchmaker in Sweden. 😀

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks for sharing that 🙂. I might try something else once I run out of the crystal simple green. Thanks for watching!

[@jho43586]

yooooooo welcome bakc

[@WatchOverhaul]

Hey! Thanks! Yeah, things have been pretty busy for me the last few years, and it's been hard to find free time to do fun stuff like this. Thanks for sticking around and watching!

[@moodyga40]

ammonia floor cleaner mixed with water is old school clock cleaner

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks for the suggestion and for watching!

[@rmoffettutube]

I'm not finding that app in the play store that you used

[@WatchOverhaul]

That's strange. It used to be there. I can't find it anymore either, but it's on my phone. If you google "Nitzan Hamzani cuckoo clock calibration", you might find the apk to download, but some of the download sites look sketch.

[@WatchOverhaul]

I was able to save off the apk on my phone. I can email it to you if you want. Email me at [e-mail] and I can send it.

[@MartasZLA]

Same. I would like to have it!

[@mark_ytb3051]

same :/// i need it too really bad my clock badly ticks and idk where to adjust it

[@WatchOverhaul]

Send me an email at [e-mail] and I'll send you the apk. I don't know why it's not in the play store anymore.

[@DZLotfifloyd]

nice woek. i want to ask, i have a Chinese clock, that tricks befor time at the mnt 59, the same at the at the half it stikes at 29nmt

[@WatchOverhaul]

Thanks! That problem might be just as simple as removing the hands and adjusting them a bit. They could have slipped a little out of place. Thanks for watching!

[@DZLotfifloyd]

@@WatchOverhaul thank you sir

[@mark_ytb3051]

i cant find the app in the google play store that u pinned :((( ://

[@WatchOverhaul]

Send me an email at [e-mail] and I'll send you the apk. I don't know why it's not in the play store anymore.

[@mark_ytb3051]

@@WatchOverhaul okay

[@bradb4075]

@@WatchOverhaul Before you go through all that trouble, I would ask yourself "why" it's no longer available. Could be the app was taken down for a reason, like being infected, having a major vulnerability, etc. Just saying...

[@shanejones7331]

I wouldn’t be putting the hands with the screws if it were me

[@WatchOverhaul]

Yeah, that's a good point. I didn't think about that at the time. I'll have to keep that in mind for the next one! Thanks for watching!

[@shanejones7331]

@@WatchOverhaul you’re welcome!

[@idv1328]

Couldn’t you just set the entire mechanism into a parts cleaner?

[@WatchOverhaul]

You could, and there are people that just do the dunk and swish method, but it doesn't really get everything clean, especially the important areas like the pivot holes. The cleaning solution can also get trapped in certain areas and not dry fast enough - rust can quickly form on steel parts. If the mainsprings are in barrels, then I'm sure moisture would certainly get trapped. You can't properly clean and lubricate the mainsprings without taking them out of the movement. You can't properly clean and inspect the pivot holes and inspect all the parts without fully disassembling the movement. It's not just about cleaning. It's also about finding where the problems are. Just dunking the assembled movement, trying to dry it off, and calling it clean might work in the short-term, but any remaining dirt will act as an abrasive and shorten the life of the movement. Cleaning without disassembling the movement is like taking a shower with your clothes on. You might look clean, but I bet some important areas were missed. Thanks for the question and for watching!

[@idv1328]

@@WatchOverhaul wow, great points! I did not think of this. Thanks much!

[@WatchOverhaul]

​@idv1328 No problem!

[@bradb4075]

Pinch some dirt between your fingers real tight, and then swish your hands in a sink. You'll never get all the dirt out of the pivots. That dirt, mixed with oil, works like polishing compound to grind away at your pivots.