Seth Thomas Mantel Clock Movement 1897 Restore for Rod from Washington #47

Cleaned, oiled, adjusted bushings that were installed wrong from previous repair.

[@RobinGaedtke-sq5jt]

I wish I had 1/10th of the knowledge this Man has accumulated through the years. Just amazing, nothing is insurmountable for James as he diagnoses and repairs these beautiful clocks. And don’t get me started on the scope of tools he guy owns! Incredible! My favorite videos are of Mr. Martin doing his magic on these neglected pieces of art!

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Robin, I attempt to keep them as original as possible, amazing how well most of them end up keeping time so well.

[@RobinGaedtke-sq5jt]

James, Years ago I disassembled, cleaned and oiled an old Ansonia that my Grandmother had. I remember as a child watching her wind it. The springs were over tightened and it was of course very dirty. I was able to get it working and as you say it keeps very accurate time to this day. I was hooked by the fact that I could get this thing running again and after all those years be able to enjoy it again. Now I’m planning to repair the old clocks in my retirement. I have over a dozen in different states of repair. Thanks again for your videos, they are most helpful. No butchering here! Ha Ha!

[@Flipclockfans]

This is a very nicely done video. It’s difficult and time consuming to get this much detail in a video. I felt like I had this clock on my desk and was turning it around with my own hands. Very good work and much appreciated.

[@max.m.8873]

🙋👍😍🥰 Great work 👍👍

[@davestelling]

What a pleasure, enjoyed very much. Thanks, James...

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Dave, This one had been sitting idle for a long time, nice to see it running like new again. It ended up being another fine time keeper for its age.

[@jeffreyyoung4104]

Nice movement, I love the old brass clocks, especially the Anniversary clocks with the glass dome where you can see all of the movement! I have been learning lots from watching all of the videos! Thanks for the education!

[@denisblasius3946]

Je fais comme vous lorsque j’ouvre un mouvement,je regarde pour la date de fabrication et les interventions,c’est instructif,les marques laissées par les anciens horlogers,merci beaucoup pour les vidéos

[@jamesmartin5370]

Merci beaucoup

[@kkyykk7042]

Excellent

[@davidcreson9102]

Other mantel clock gong is loud! I have learned a lot from you. Kind regards. David

[@jamesmartin5370]

There was a time in history when a clock in a house was the only way a family had to know what time it was. Those times are gone and the people who lived through them are also gone. For the people who could only afford one clock it was important for it to strike loud so everyone in the house knew when to get up in the morning to start the daily chores. This is why many of them had hard brass hammers, I have sometimes put a piece of felt on those brass hammers to soften the harsh sound they make.

[@jimmurphy6095]

Excellent content, but I keep waiting to hear David start singing.🤣

[@avianfish8732]

Nice clock.

[@Johnmiller-gm9lm]

Thank You

[@joaquinpendleton948]

Hi James: I just love all your videos. I have learned a lot about alarm clocks by watching you. Especially how to polish the cone pivots. Also how to let down the power on those triple click models. could listen to you all day. Very soothing manner. I too am a watchmaker / clockmaker. I noticed your pocket watch movement holder. I have never seen one like yours. I was able to find one on Ebay, but it was missing the upper small round posts that hold the actual movement. I can make those. Mine seems spring loaded. Is yours? Thank you for any advice and comments. Keep up the great work, you are an asset to all clock /' watchmakers out there. Thanks again for your videos.

[@heathers1677]

I’ve got the same clock except mine has green faux marble. It still runs great, but it’s on my to do list to do detailed cleaning soon.

[@jamesmartin5370]

These were one of the best movements made by Seth Thomas, keep it oiled and it will continue to do well.

[@chrismoomey5663]

Do either of you know the weight for the pendulum? I'm getting into clock repair and found a very similar clock but its missing several pieces. It'll be the third one I fix if I can get it up and running.

[@kreiger0]

Wonderful

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Ehren, I wanted to clean the outside but felt that should be left to the owners.

[@kreiger0]

I'm a big fan of your KA24e parts, and I find these videos to be just lovely!

[@jamesmartin5370]

@@kreiger0 I thought your name sounded was familiar! How did that Adjustable Cam Sprocket work out we fixed for you?

[@kreiger0]

@@jamesmartin5370 I've been meaning to write you about that. I'm going to mail it in for maintenance soon! I wasn't able to mail it in until now.

[@joetallon4968]

Great video. The leather you use to replace the striking hammer leather, is that a leather boot lace?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Antique Sewing Machine Treadle Belt material

[@joetallon4968]

@@jamesmartin5370 ok, thank you. Seems to work great.

[@verybigkittens7550]

Hi James what is the diameter of the round anvil on the staking tool. 9:18 I have one now and it is just over 1"3/8 aprox also the previous repairer can't have checked the running with no end shake, on the 2 wheels. So the movement must never have run. I check all that when repairing movements.

[@TheTarrMan]

How did you manage to get into thus craft? Did you know someone or went to school? Have you ever built you own clock before? This is fascinating.

[@jamesmartin5370]

I have been doing this since about age 15, also took a horology course at a local college. Have never built a clock movement but built many custom wood clock cases for customers.

[@w1ndwr1t3]

Hi James, great video. I have this same 1897 clock. Where can I purshass a key and pendelem for this model?

[@jamesmartin5370]

They show up on ebay quite often as well as many clock supply houses usually have reproductions that look similar to originals

[@myqueentitanbug28]

Wonderful job restoring the clock. Did you repair or install new bushingsthe worn out bushing? What do you use to clean or care for the wood and finish on the clock itself?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks, usually attempt to keep new bushings to the smallest OD as as possible which sometimes involves putting a bushing in an already installed bushing but not always, each one is approached as a separate issue. Use most any product that has some beeswax in it, makes for a good polish that's fairly water proof.

[@myqueentitanbug28]

@@jamesmartin5370 Would you know of any good brands of polish or store that i could buy it from?

[@jamesmartin5370]

@@myqueentitanbug28 I am using a product called "The Solution" produced by TuJac, Ltd. of Ridgeland, MS 39157, they are out of business so no longer available. It contains raw beeswax, lemon oil, and other natural oils, seems to work great. Stay away from products that contain alcohol, turpentine, dyes, stains, silicones, varnishes, lacquers, sealers and detergents and you will be fine. There are many products out their that fit this category that will work for you.

[@myqueentitanbug28]

@@jamesmartin5370 thank you ill look next time im at the store

[@ohger1]

The guy who bushed it actually did a good job except for the leveling. I wonder how he missed the lack of end play?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Maybe he was in too much of a hurry.

[@jerivanessen6162]

The hour hand on my clock like this is loose but the minute hand runs perfectly. How can I tighten the hour hand without breaking anything.

[@jamesmartin5370]

On this model, hour hand bushing is friction fit on the hour wheel cannon. Both are fitted with a morse taper having a 1.49 degree angle. They hold based on the friction action of the mating surfaces and the wedging action of the taper. For starters, three items to check are. 1. Slightly push the hand at the center shaft area and see if it will snug up and stay put. If this works then good to go. It it is still loose or bottoms out on the dial of clock. 2. Check to see if the morse taper fit is loose you may need to slightly close the hour wheel bushing. If this is not the issue. 3. Check the hour hand to hour hand bushing fit up, the bushing may need to be swaged slightly to the hand. Let me know what you find.

[@kiwicory100]

James I like your videos but all the clocks...omg...my ears. LOL. I have to put my clocks in rotation, one running at a time so I don't drive myself and my family crazy...how do you stand it?

[@jamesmartin5370]

Thanks Jake, Others have told me similar about the noise in my workshop. Its a small room full of clocks and watches, my grandkids say the room is haunted, my wife likes the door closed. People keep showing up with broken clocks and watches. I have to test run the clocks I repair. After 40 years of doing this type of work, I have grown accustomed to the sound.

[@ejduvail]

Do you have a video of how to adjust the strike wires.?

[@jamesmartin5370]

No I don't. Strike hammer is adjusted by holding the wire firmly with smooth jawed plyers to prevent it from being bent next to the movement. Then bend end of wire with the hammer as needed. Adjust so hammer strikes the gong once when it comes down. If its too low it will strike the gong several times and the sound will not be good.

[@ejduvail]

I ment to say the lifting wires sorry

[@johnbrodehl9743]

Not the original pendulum.

[@jordanbusby6231]

I think it is I've seen a Seth Thomas on dperry428 channel with a similar pendulum