Repair of an Old 8 Day Regula 24 Cuckoo Clock

[@BradfordNeedham]

An index for this video: 0:00 - 2:23 Unboxing the shipped clock, checking for damage, and identifying the movement. 2:23 - 3:44 Removing the chain hooks and loops. 3:44 - 5:22 Removing the movement from the case, examining the case. 5:22 - 11:19 Checking the movement parts for dirt, wear, and damage. The main wheel clicks aren't working. 11:19 - 20:47 Disassembly. 20:47 - 21:53 Before and After close-up views of a couple wheels, showing hair, dirt, and rust. 21:53 - 28:50 Examining the damaged main wheel clicks in detail; discovering what the click spring should be. 28:50 - 36:53 Broaching (enlarging) the main wheel pivot holes for the new main wheels. 36:53 - 40:38 Bushing worn pivot holes. 40:38 - 41:39 Deciding how to replace the Regula clips on the levers. 41:39 - 47:29 Reassembly: getting all the pivots into their corresponding holes. 47:29 - 47:43 The finished replacements for the Regula clips: brass rings. 47:43 - 48:10 The door hing has been repaired; the movement is in the case. 48:10 - 48:33 (briefly) Outlining the repair to be done to the bellows. 48:33 - 48:55 The movement - less bellows - running on the test stand. 48:55 - 56:21 Replacing the bellows' decorative paper. 56:21 - 57:47 Making bellows lift wires. 57:47 - 58:26 The repaired clock running on the test stand.

[@julieoliver4956]

I have watched every clock repair you have done and I'm still amazed at how talented, patient, knowledgable an overall a magician I am inthralled at the work you have done thank you for sharing your videos and for all your hard work that goes into making them take care and God bless you

[@dperry428]

There is a piece of this video I had to edit out as I called the clips that I couldn't get off an inappropriate name. so, there is not always patience on my part. Thank you for your comments. I'm happy you enjoy the videos.

[@kennethrank9489]

Thank you for doing this for a cuckoo clock neophyte. I am fascinated with how these clocks work.

[@sierraspecialtyauto7049]

I'm about to start working on my first cuckoo, and it has the Regula 24 movement. This will be a great help. Thanks, Don.

[@dperry428]

I'm glad it will help.

[@josephbrown4031]

I love your videos, I've loved clocks my whole life... Kind of obsessed with them. But now I'm retired I'm watching all your videos to learn how I can work on them. Thank you for your videos and would like to talk to you sometime if possible

[@dperry428]

I'm glad you find the videos helpful. The main purpose is to show the owners what was done to them, but I now spend more time trying to share what I've learned over the years. You can put your email in a comment and I'll contact you. I do not publish comments until I approve them, so I can get your email and delete the comment without publishing it, so your email is not seen by anyone but me. I sure wish that KZbin had not gotten rid of private messaging.

[@justins7900]

You sir are a true old school craftsman ,I have watched all your videos and im truly amazed at your skill.

[@jrodak]

Thank you for this video. I'm getting ready to clean and oil my grandmothers Cuckoo clock and I don't plan on take movement apart but now I know what failure points to be on the lookout for.

[@dperry428]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dalefrank4149]

Another fun time watching your video, you are an amazing craftsman, thanks for sharing your talents with us!

[@dixiespinner]

dperry428 ... I am not a clock smith but enjoyed the skill in identifying the issues and patiently resolving each one to make this clock work like new ...Thank You for sharing this ...Rick

[@MrLiteheart]

OMG!!! My brother called me and told me to watch this!!! I / we grew up with this cuckoo clock!!!!! Francis is my bro.

[@dperry428]

I hope you enjoyed seeing it come back to life.

[@kowgiirlup]

I never get tired of seeing all the brass parts come to life. That little tiny spring was a bugger for the chain wheel thing. Dick said he could've told you about the type of "metal" that was used since he was a machinist. But you solved it yourself ~ as always! Another clock repair complete, on to the next :-)

[@dperry428]

Hi, T. Yes, it's clock fixin' time. I've already got another one up. I'm getting itchy for spring. I'd rather be outside working to finish the bridge.

[@cmderrx]

Impressive work! A craftsman with a pocket full of skills.

[@coge7724]

I have a cuckoo clock similar to this with the same gears and inner workings and the pendulum keeps stopping do you know what is causing it to stop

[@dperry428]

1. Clock may not be "in beat". 2. Clock may need to be cleaned and oiled. 3. Clock may have worn pivot holes and needs extensive repair. 4. Pendulum may be stopped by a draft such as forced air heating. Your question is similar to calling up a mechanic and saying, "My car doesn't work. What's wrong with it?"

[@coge7724]

@@dperry428 sorry I was just curious as to what problems it could be I was trying to fix it for my grandmother but I got to work but thanks though

[@dperry428]

Nothing to be sorry for. I just gave you the truth. It's tough to know the problem without seeing and analyzing. First, see if the ticking is even (in beat). Look to see if the pendulum wire is rubbing on the opening in the bottom of the case. Make sure nothing, such as an air vent is stopping the clock. Try oiling the pivot holes that are available on the back of the movement. After that, the movement will need to be taken out, cleaned and examined for worn pivot holes.

[@sgnt9337]

The owner did a nice job of packing it. Wow, the rust! It looks like it may have been stored in a damp basement over that 40 year period. I was amazed that you were able to clean them up. I like that alignment tool you used to get the pivots lined up when putting the plates together. I'll have to make one of those. I wonder how these were assembled in the factory?

[@dperry428]

Bubble wrap a couple inches thick does a good job. The alignment tool is called a pivot locator. I got mine here, where it was too cheap to justify the time to make one myself. timesavers.com/i-8948894-8-pivot-locator.html Assembly of the movements in the factory is done with jigs set up to align the pivots. Here is a video from "How It's Made" that chronicles cuckoo clocks. The link starts at the part of the video that shows the setup jig. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXbchpSEf6yirqc

[@BradfordNeedham]

@@dperry428 Nice link - I have long wondered how they assemble clocks in the factory, and that video answers all my questions. I really enjoy your videos of your clock work - keep them up!

[@willf5768]

Have used old pocket watch mainspring for those click springs seems to work quite well.

[@rehorneman]

Just watched this video for the third time. Your craftsmanship is outstanding. I agree the new stuff is poorly made. Much rather work on the old cuckoos. Thanks for doing this repair video.

[@dperry428]

Thank you very much!

[@rehorneman]

Hi Mr Perry Now that Winter is close, when will we be seeing some videos of your clock repairs?

[@dperry428]

Pretty quick. I've got a regulator clock to do and I'm just about to leave the house to go look at grandfather clock a lady wants repaired. Have a feeling it's going to be a Hermle or Kieninger movement.

[@rehorneman]

@@dperry428 Great, can't wait!

[@JPfpv7]

Hi, thanks to your videos, I've learned a lot about cuckoo clocks and chain driven clocks, in my country, Brazil, it's very expensive and I own a CNC milling machine, I'll try to make one from scratch to myself, hope it works fine, if it does, I send you a video Thanks for sharing your amazing job

[@dperry428]

Sounds like fun. Just post the video to your channel and tell me when it's posted via a comment.

[@SL-jr5ul]

How did you determine whether you use a cutting broach or a reamer to enlarge the pivot holes?

[@dperry428]

The reamer is used to cut out the old, worn hole and make a new hole for the bushing to go in. The cutting broach is used to make the hole in the new bushing match the size of the pivot that goes in the bushing hole. A bushing is chosen with a bore that is equal to or smaller than the pivot. Even if a bushing has a bore that matches the pivot, when the bushing is hammered into the reamed hole, it slightly closes the bore of the bushing, requiring it to be broached out until the pivot fits.

[@SL-jr5ul]

@@dperry428 so so helpful thank you so much. I'm working on my 3rd 8 day and could Have accomplished nothing without your videos, and answers to newbie questions are really appreciated

[@tilica5353]

Great , great work ! Thank you for this video .You are maestro .

[@dperry428]

Thank you. Please watch my other clock repair videos.

[@budjanzen7557]

Wow.. you are a magic person..

[@dperry428]

Lol. If I were magic, I'd turn back time. It's tough getting old.

[@ПашаПитецкий]

Дякую вам за працю, хай щастить

[@melmel2644]

are you replating the lanterns and trundles to keep the rust from coming back? do you.have a video of this procedure and a silver soldering procedure?

[@dperry428]

If a clock is properly cared for, there shouldn't be any rust in the first place. The cause of rust is when a clock is either stored in a very damp environment or a movement is not properly dried after cleaning. Plating of parts is simply not necessary. The parts also should not be oiled. Solder use in clock repair should be avoided where possible. I only use it for replacement of damaged wheel teeth or where other repair or replacement is not possible. There is nothing special about the procedure. Clean the parts, apply liquid flux, place tiny pieces of solder at the joint and heat the part(s) with a miniature torch until the surfaces are hot enough for the solder to melt and flow into the fluxed joints. Not different than regular soldering; just a slightly higher temperature.

[@khossossykhossossy7955]

Great video as usual. Lots of useful information. I am wondering where to buy the special pliers that take care of those stubborn clips? Thanks

[@dperry428]

www.amazon.com/Knipex-4621A01SBA-External-Angled-Retaining/dp/B003UHUCYE/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=Knipex+46+21+A01+Circlip+Pliers&qid=1634520428&sr=8-12

[@elizabethredfern9075]

My clock has 1 bad side like this. Spring broke. Do you work on these and how much to fix

[@dperry428]

Can't take on any more repairs at this time.

[@jeffzin5779]

Where can I find the spring for the Rack Stop Lever? Thanks

[@dperry428]

www.ronellclock.com/product/24-pc-cuckoo-clock-spring-assortment/

[@vincentvilleneuve7848]

Hello Sir, I clean my cockroach clock and now, the clock run well without pendulum but when I add it, the clock stop after 5 second. Do you have an idee?

[@dperry428]

I don't know what a cockroach clock is, but if it stops running with the pendulum on, I'd suspect it is out of beat. Does it tick evenly? Try watching this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZbOYZmNhKaXpc0

[@esteeste7884]

Bonjour, superbe vidéo, avec quel liquide vous nettoyez les roues? Cordialement

[@dperry428]

timesavers.com/i-24051932-zenith-251-ammoniated-watch-clock-cleaning-concentrate-gallon.html

[@skwara37]

I have a question Where can I buy reamers that you use Also where can I buy spring wining machine? Can you tell us source for bushings? What do you do if spring is broken inside ? Thank you for very well done videos! Darek

[@dperry428]

timesavers.com/ www.ronellclock.com/ milehiclocksupplies.com/ www.merritts.com/merritts/public/default.aspx Broken springs: If you mean inside a barrel, simply pull it out with a needle-nosed pliers.

[@randy2835]

Mr Perry I recently purchased a black forest Heco 8 day , it seems to be a 1950 1960 model , I've cleaned and oiled but the pendant will not swing more than a dozen times and stops. Can you point me in the right direction to get this working again.

[@dperry428]

Is the clock "in beat"; is the tick-tock sound even? If it's even slightly off beat, it will not run. If the clock is level and the tick is not even, you have to bend the pendulum crutch (wire that pushes the pendulum wire) until it is even. Try watching this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH-VpKanZZp7faM That's likely your problem. If it still doesn't run, it is then badly worn enough to require rebushing. My bet is it's out of beat.

[@danharold3087]

Good video, now I know a little about coco clocks1

[@davycrockett111]

I enjoy watching your educational videos but have yet to see how you adjust the clock bellow levers and cut/measure the bellows wires to the right length, especially when birds or whatever are activated on the front too.

[@dperry428]

Each clock is different, depending on how much someone in the past has "adjusted" the lift wires. Normally, one holds the lift wire parallel to the bottom of the movement and measures the distance to the wire loop on the bellow top.

[@robertsrbell7811]

Very nice tutorial

[@seanmooney3907]

Did you ever figure out what kind of clips those where? I am just curious. In my travels doing watch repair I have boxes full of cuckoo clocks and thought they weren't worth fixing. The more I learn about them the more I figure I am wrong about them. I recently tooled up to do clock repair and have been taking a class to be sure I learn the right way to do it. I have muddled through some pivot repairs and bushing replacement in the past they were my own clocks, and relatively simple. (no extra parts and running so I did okay) I am really enjoying learning and never realized there were so many youtube video's on clock repair. Some much better than others. I really enjoyed watching this old, neglected time piece come back to life. Thanks for sharing, All the best, Sean

[@dperry428]

Best I can tell you is they are referred to as type g retaining rings or type g shaft rings. Like the one on the far right in this link: browse.startpage.com/do/show_picture.pl?l=english&rais=1&oiu=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tensilegroupinc.com%2Fuploads%2F1%2F0%2F1%2F4%2F101489790%2Fretaining-ring_orig.jpg&sp=79d52d344304e716967ad8ddb0aba551&rl=NONE&t=default They are meant as retainers for shafts that have no groove in them. They simply squeeze against the shaft. Pressed on by machine and then a booger to spread apart to get them off. Just keep plugging with the clock repairs. It's enjoyable and satisfying. Fix up those old cuckoo clocks and put them on eBay if you don't want them. Cuckoo clocks are not cheap and people like some of the older ones better than the newer.

[@rehorneman]

Regula uses Split rings and E-clips and you need Split Ring Remover pliers.Some supply houses carry them also Harbor freight.Too bad you had such a terrible time removing them.Love your videos. How did you clean the rusty gears by hand ? Cleaner,,steel wool ,sandpaper, ETC? Keep the new vids Coming.

[@dperry428]

I'd never dealt with that particular type of ring and it turns out the biggest problem was they were almost welded to the arbors with rust. Thanks for the heads up on the ring type. Hope I never run into them again All the newer Regula movements have used E-clips in a groove on the arbor. Generally, when I have gears and arbors this corroded, I first scrub in cleaner with a brass brush, then I use a mild abrasive with 0000 steel wool on wheels and arbors and wood splints charged with abrasive for the leaves of the pinions. Finally, regular cleaning to remove abrasive traces. Tedious, but effective.

[@rehorneman]

Thanks for your reply. Hope to see more new vids.@@dperry428

Thank You for sharing this

[@fergalgallagher6987]

If one mainspring broke should u change all three if they are weak

[@dperry428]

If you have the movement apart and you have identified weak springs, you should certainly replace them, not because they might break, but because a clock with weak springs is not going to run the full time it's supposed to. The springs certainly aren't going to get stronger.

[@fergalgallagher6987]

Thank you one question can you retain clock places or just clean in clock cleaner see if they clean up a bit

[@dperry428]

I don't understand your question.

[@fergalgallagher6987]

If the clock plates are dull will clock cleaner clean them

[@dperry428]

Yes

[@manualgeorge4349]

Wonderful

[@SumProject18]

Ours is a music box cuckoo clock with dancers. It was a very easy repair, all i had to do was dust it out and clean it. Then I used some synthetic oul on the gears only using a small amount. Keeps time great and cuckoos on the hour! For some reason it's missing a chain, so no music yet. I need to order a new chain and weight, but other than that it works flawless!

[@dperry428]

Chain is sold by number of links per foot and the diameter of the wire used.

[@SumProject18]

@@dperry428 bought a new chain, but it looks new, and the other two are stained a dark brown color

[@CoralRockSound]

do you still repair cuckoo clocks? if so..may i contact you?

[@dperry428]

I can't take any more until winter.

[@weejohnoo]

Legend!

[@juanceniceros1222]

I have a clock that needs to be repaired how do I contact you

[@dperry428]

You can contact me by simply putting an email address in a comment. I hold all comments for review and I can then copy your email and delete the comment without publishing it online. However, keep in mind that clock repair is NOT a business for me, I'm 75 years old, so don't want a heavy workload and only work on clocks during the winter. Ordinarily, I take clocks for repair from people who can bring them to me. I'm hesitant to take them by mail until I vet the person. It's too easy for someone I don't know to send me a clock, get it repaired and then claim I didn't send it back, or not pay for the postage and parts or other various scams and dishonest conduct. I'll consider your request once I know more about you and your expectations. Generally, I also don't take expensive or very valuable time pieces. I simply don't want the responsibility. As much as the post office is generally reliable, as is UPS or FedEx, we've all seen stories about things mysterioiusly disappearing or being stolen off the front porch.

[@kaylahunter6889]

I am needing some repairs done on my grandmother's vintage cuckoo clock! Is their any way to contact you directly or by email

[@dperry428]

Just leave a comment with your email address. I hold all comments for review. I will then delete your comment without publishing it.

[@scottsims8779]

Scott I like your video .im a clocksmith too

[@bjf7347]

I would have thrown the whole thing in the ultrasonic cleaner and then take it apart.

[@dperry428]

You must have unlimited funds. Clock cleaning solution is around $60 a gallon. When it gets dirty, it has to be replaced. Sure, a gallon gets diluted with water, but it's too expensive to just use with movements that have utter filth, including grease, hair and fibers that can be readily removed before using the expensive cleaning solution.

[@kennethrank9489]

I also would have done this.

[@dperry428]

Not a good idea to do that with expensive clock cleaning solution. Better to get the grunge off with cheap soap and water before finishing with the ultrasonic cleaner.

[@emmettrcraven5544]

Those clips are called E clips and require E clip pliers. I'm sorry they gave you so much trouble. 😢

[@dperry428]

They're not even E clips. They're type G compression clips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZe4coxsq5Z8o5I

[@ClockFixer]

I'd just probably replace the movement with the amount of problems on this one.......!!

[@dperry428]

So much for being a "ClockFixer". You'd also be tossing out a movement that is no longer made. The Regula 24 dates to no later than about 1955. It is an 8 day movement. The modern 8 day is the Regula 34. Kind of like saying, "This antique model T car has so many problems, I'll just junk it and buy a new Ford."