New Haven Clock for Chuck from Washington #88

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

Really is a wonderful thing-a labor of love to bring such a marvelous thing back to good working order. I just bought my first non-working, antique New Haven clock-much like this one. i can tell some parts are missing or bent, just from looking at the front . It made some noise for a few seconds, but no tick. It will be a project. No way could I afford hundreds of dollars for overhaul. Worst case, I have a pretty piece of art to display. Best case, I can get it to run. There is no hammer to the bell, but the spiral thingy has 2 hammers, I think. Not sure what model-“Patent Applied For” and I have not seen the exact clock in an online image search.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Sometimes you can find an old paper sales ad that has a matching clock case. Most of these were made during the Victorian days, sometime around 1890s to 1920s

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

This man has hands of gold, and patience too.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Surprising how well these look once cleaned up, simple yet excellent dependable time keepers

[@johncloar1692]

Thank for the video. That clock had to be about the dirtiest I have seen. It must not have run for years. Thank again I really enjoy your video Mr. Martin.

[@jamesmartin5370]

It had a lot of crud on it for sure.

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

@@jamesmartin5370Estimate of hours of work, start to finish?

[@ariedekker7350]

Put everything aside because there's a new video of you. Watched with pleasure and amazement. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Arie...

[@davestelling]

You've really beought this clock back, James. Nice, nice work. As always, enjoyed watching the careful process - thanks...

[@jamesmartin5370]

It was a great one to work on, Thanks

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

i just found this. Amazing work!

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

What kind of clear coat do you recommend for preventing tarnish?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Some people use wax, this isn't very durable, provides limited protection and needs to be re-applied from time to time. The old standard it lacquer, it does well but degrades as it ages, and is suspectable to oils and solvents. To date the best is urethane, protects well, is resistant to oils and solvents, more difficult to remove than lacquer.

[@brettster3331]

Hi James, this was such a learning experience for me, you are so talented and take such care, this clock will run now for another hundred years. Thank you.

[@jamesmartin5370]

I've seen them run for 40 to 60 years with no maintenance, if it is lubricated from time to time I am sure it will easily make it to 100 years

[@TKELCH]

Thanks, James for another Great video!! This is the first time to ever seen a bushing installation. Thank You for showing that!

[@jamesmartin5370]

There's more than one way to install a bushing, end result on any bushing is to get the pivot back to its original engineered position and have it rotate freely.

[@TKELCH]

@@jamesmartin5370 I love the way that You take every step in your video explaining things that the ordinary person might overlook. Your methods are all Top Notch! Thanks once again!

[@paulorobertopachecodias3896]

Congratulations. Perfect

[@rehorneman]

Another amazing job!! Love to watch yo work!

[@kikaree]

Mr Martin, you continually amaze.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Roy.

[@winstonchurchill3597]

Wow! Nice job - that's what you call a complete rebuild.

[@jamesmartin5370]

It made a nice clock out of it.

[@robertwheeler4068]

BEAUTIFUL!!!👌 My parents had this model of clock centered over our livingroom fireplace mantel!❤

[@jamesmartin5370]

I have one as well, Love the loud ticks that comes from them.

[@djhscorp]

Id like to see the process you go through for designing a dial. Great video as usual👍

[@TheTarrMan]

It was a pleasant surprise not seen the movement worked previously by a butcher. . . . it was just the parts you can see. Such a to see this made right.

[@rick2254]

You are a very smart guy. I enjoy watching your videos .

[@billg125]

Thankyou James. Another terrific video showing your care & attention to detail. The movement looked like something out of Noah's Ark before cleaning; now looks amazing! The 'slo-mo' of the gong movement was interesting too. Always look forward to your video's.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Bill

[@Fred-nz9dp]

Some new haven kitchen clock has flat gong to make unique chimes. I believe this clock is made after 1900’s since gong base is more smaller and usually held by 2 screws on one side. New Haven Clocks from late 1870’s to early 1880’s usually have large iron gong base to make the gong more resonant!

[@kkyykk7042]

Well done

[@max.m.8873]

💪👍 Bravo 👏👏👍, great work 🥰👍👏

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

Very awesome video in every way!

[@jaumejaume8925]

Hola mestre, com sempre un vídeo excel-lent, no pari siusplau d’ensenyar-nos aquestes maravelles que fa. Moltes gràcies desde Barcelona, catalonia.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Gràcies, Faré tot el que pugui. Molts bons desitjos per l'any nou.

[@stevewilliams2498]

Thanks for a great video and sharing your fantastic knowledge. My love of clocks and all things mechanical started when my lovely old grandmother gave me her clock, just like this one, to "play with". She said it was no good and I took it apart for the experience. At about 9 years old I managed to put it back together and did all the things you are not supposed to. Especially over oiling. Lubrication is good. More oil better right ? Anyway you live and learn. A few years later I made a replacement paper dial with pen and ink in my art class. Now 60 years later it is still going and keeping good time. I close my eyes and listening to it tick tock, I am back in her kitchen all those years ago. My house now sounds like your workshop. My wife tolerates .. 2 Westminster chimes 3 .. 1/2 hour and one hour only. Do I need a cuckoo now to complete my collection ?

[@jamesmartin5370]

I have one just like this one too but top of door is not square cut, I got when I was about 12 years old, I fiddled around with it back then and got it going. Its still working today, these have nice loud tick to them, my wife made me put a felt pad on the gong hammer to soften the sound.

[@bharathba4762]

Hello Sir, Namaste I am from India. Such a kind and nice service of New Heaven Kitchen Clock, all parts are taken reasonable care and concern while at the time of service. Sir it is possible to inform us that how to clean the movement plates, wheels& other related parts. If it possible to inform that which solution is used for such cleaning process. It is very helpful to beginners like us. It's our fortune to see many clocks with different types of movement and it is helpful to learn how to handle and tackle the problems and also to solve those problems.Thank you for your kind efforts in making such videos.

[@jamesmartin5370]

I have been using ultrasonic approved ammonia based concentrate commercial cleaner from L & R heated to about 55 Celsius, this cleaner will work with and without an ultrasonic. Most of these antique movements have a thin layer of gold gilt on them that can get damaged easily so clean lightly on them. Mainsprings best to install new white stainless steel spring, if cleaning old, mechanical clean with steel wool or abrasive pad and solvent to get hardened film off.

[@bharathba4762]

@@jamesmartin5370 Thank You Sir, for your kind and valuable replay.

[@emborg3145]

Hello, I'm 16 and have recently gotten into clocks. I've learned quite a bit and even designed and built my own using 3D software. It doesn't work because the 3D printer didn't get the gear tolerances quite right. I was wondering what tools I should buy for clock repair and maintenance. Obviously you have amassed yours over a number of years but I was wondering where I could get the basics for a good price.

[@jamesmartin5370]

A lot depends on what type and how deep into repair and maintenance you plan to go. Most antique clocks due to their age and past poor maintenance schedules need more than a cleaning and oiling to get them to keep good time. Without a lathe, repair of worn pivots you will encounter will be impossible to correct. Basic tools to start out would be some basic dissemble tools and assemble tools, once you have these you will encounter different issues with each project and one by one the need for new tools to add to your collection will reveal themselves and the decision will need to be made if you want to invest into another piece of equipment. Some tools such as a lathe are of little help without accessories, what accessories needed depends on level of repair and maintenance you plan to move into. Watch some youtube videos and you will get an idea of basics needed, screwdrivers, plyers, mainspring winder, oilers are a bare minimum start, can be found on online auctions and there are online clock material companies.

[@emborg3145]

@@jamesmartin5370 Alright, thanks for your help!

[@mikebenda1061]

Thank you for another great example. You are teaching more than micro- mechanics, this is also a lesson in problem solving with patience. Did you have a mentor or were you born like this? .

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thank You, I guess I learned to be this way as a child I was always fixing and making various items around our house for my mother.

[@rweeks8879]

Love your videos. Have commented once before. You are precise with your explanations. Do you do anything in regards to repairing wooden works clocks from the 1830s and before?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes, I have repaired several in the past but was before youtube came around so no examples to show. If you want email several images of it, you can contact me at [e-mail]

[@davidwilliams1383]

Good question. I hope someone can submit one for a demonstration.

[@carrollmeyer557]

How do you get it so clean? Even the steel shines.. My sonar cleaner wont do that.

[@jamesmartin5370]

I've been use an ammoniated clock cleaning solution heated to about 130 degrees F.

[@carrollmeyer557]

thank you

[@pauldyck4596]

You packed a lot into a 48 minute video - bushing pivot holes, replacing lantern pinion trundles (I guess the piano wire you used is harder than the soft steel orininals), paper dial replacement, case repairs. Useful details on how to do things this time included using a file to cut out the winding arbor holes in the dial and using a pair of pliers instead of a hammer to install the nails that attach the wood pieces that hold the glass in the door. The slo mo at the end was a little bit inside baseball - you have to know a little bit about count wheel movements to know that you are looking at the count lever and the count wheel and the maintenance lever and the maintenance cam. Nicely done. BTW when you print out your own dials, what kind of paper do you use?

[@jamesmartin5370]

8 mill poster paper is a close match the semi gloss paper on these old clocks, Best on a laser printer.

[@AntiqueAmericanClocks]

Will equaling the wear on the unworn side and worn side automatically center the bushing?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes, A clock reamer instead of a file can also be used to equal the wear prior to reaming to full size. If the wear in the worn hole isn't equalized prior to reaming, risk of getting the bushing off center is high.

[@davidwilliams1383]

Beautiful restoration James. This one was a great piece in that it needed a little bit of everything. Cleaning (lots of cleaning...), bushings, lantern pinions, case work, dial work.... and as a true master, you make it look effortless. All I can say is Wow and thank you. Did you do the modifications to the special pliers at 18 minutes into the video? Keep up the great work.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks David, Yes, just an old pair of needle nose plyers. I have seen other options being used but these work for me for the moment.

[@brianwarburton4482]

Great video as always. Can you tell me what software package you use for drawing your dials as I would like to do the same?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Photoshop

[@joshuadean1880]

Mr James did you make those knurling pliers for lantern pinions

[@jamesmartin5370]

Yes, years ago in horology class. Our instructor had us make a many of all our tools before were allowed to touch any time pieces.

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

@@jamesmartin5370where did you take your class?

[@tootime576]

Which software do you use to make dials? Are you able to replicate the originals by eye and measurements?

[@jamesmartin5370]

I have had good luck with photoshop which will accommodate making them from eye and measurements. There are many other software programs available that will work as well.

[@myqueentitanbug28]

Amazing job restoring this old clock. What did you do to put the patina on the peace of wood how do u get to match the rest of the clock? Also any ideas why some one would strip off all the finish of an old clock.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Owner of clock finished the wood brace and did the install on it. Only history known on the clock was that the owner purchased it from an antique shop. I did notice some signs or white paint on the back side of the clock case, maybe it had a coat of white paint on at one time.

[@bernardpoole9123]

Do you have any videos on anniversary clock repair

[@jamesmartin5370]

No

[@notapplicable430]

This New Haven clock is almost identical to my family's Attleboro clock. Were the clock companies related in some way? Your video work and repair techniques are amazing. Thanks!

[@jamesmartin5370]

A lot of clock companies were bought by other clock companies, along with their patents so there was a lot of cross engineering going on.

[@jfidyk7412]

Nice restoration! What software do you use for making your own dials? And what is the weight of the paper? Love the new dial!

[@jamesmartin5370]

Have been using photoshop, there are others out there but I am familiar with this one and we have it so its what I use. 8 mill poster paper seems to match the original, with a laser printer works good.

[@jonka1]

Why did you not make any attempt to repair the damage to the outer dial bezel? Such evidence of brutality spoils the face after so much work.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Owner of clock directed me to only clean, polish and clear coat the bezel.

[@Cobesclocks]

When you filed the pivot 9:00 is a file required to bush that type of pivot or can only a reamer be used?

[@jamesmartin5370]

A file is just one of many ways to do this. There are other ways to pull a pivot hole back to center. As long as elongated/egg shaped pivot hole ends up being centered at the time the bushing is installed, all is good. Yes, a reamer can be used to pull a pivot holes back to center. It can be done by carefully cutting one side of the elongated pivot hole needed until pivot hole is centered then ream full 360 degrees until pivot hole is cut through 100 %. If these pivot holes aren't pulled to true center before bushing is installed the alignment of gears and pinions will be off and this creates friction and a poor running movement is the end result.

[@Cobesclocks]

@@jamesmartin5370thank you

[@bernardpoole9123]

I have tried to use piano wire but I have found it not round

[@jamesmartin5370]

Piano wire is made by drawing high quality steel through several hardened dies to correct diameter. It must be perfectly round to produce the correct tone or vibration, same principal as a hairspring. If the dies used in drawing the piano wire is defective or worn it will produce an inferior string. Is it possible you acquired some wire that was defective or from a bad batch?

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

what is going on at 14:00? is that a block of wood?

[@jamesmartin5370]

That's a wet stone. I am sharping a handmade cutter to cut the brass from the shroud on the lantern pinion so the trundles can be removed and replaced.

[@jamesmartin5370]

It a sharping stone, wetstone is spelled also whetstone. www.homedepot.com/p/Whetstone-Dual-Sided-400-1000-Grit-Water-Stone-Sharpener-HW451202/308041502

[@ronaldlinkenhoker5705]

Another great video. I’m not a fan of stripping off the original finish.

[@jamesmartin5370]

I saw signs of white paint on the case as well that I didn't mention. I prefer leaving the original finish on antiques as well

[@lydiaahubbell8545]

How old is it?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Few company records have survived from most American Clock Companies to pinpoint exact dates. Late 19th Century to the early part of the 20th Century was when this style of case was being produced.

[@АльфияТарасова-д9х]

С переводом на русский

[@SnowstormsAntiques]

When u replace the dial it ruins its value because it’s not the original. Ik this is just an opinion but I got Mildly infuriated when u ripped out the dial. It was holding fine it wasn’t crumbling apart. Replacing it just ruins the value and kind of the looks bc the old Paper dial shows how old it is. Slapping a new dial just makes it look like it’s a reproduction.

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thank You Conservation vs Restoration. Conservation preserves a timepiece in as is condition as you mention, as a display item only. Client purchased the clock with intent for a restoration so clock could be used as a daily timekeeper with an original look to it.

[@SnowstormsAntiques]

@@Cobesclocks I’m not a sir but ok thx

[@joaquinpendleton948]

Hi James: Just love all your videos. You are truly a master clockmaker. Question. On the New Haven clock or any other American style, how do you remove the escape wheel to rebush the cock. Do you bend it up? or, remove and install new rivets that hold the cock / bridge. Thanks for any insight. Joaquin

[@jamesmartin5370]

To remove the escape wheel the plates need to be separated. Then with a light touch, carefully rotate and angle the escape wheel at different orientations between the plate and cock. Eventually you will find an area and the wheel will fall through the opening. No need to force, bend, or remove anything.

[@joaquinpendleton948]

thank you so much for this valuable info. Joaquin@@jamesmartin5370