Clock repairs

[Graham Kerr]

does anyone here know of anyone who can carry out repairs to analogue clocks, for a reasonable price?
TIA

[Andrew McHarg]

does anyone here know of anyone who can carry out repairs to analogue clocks, for a reasonable price?
TIA

I can carry out demolitions of clocks... but not repairs unfortunately.

[Alan Tate]

Could be worth holding onto it. Might be worth something in a few years ;-)

[Graham Kerr]

lol, 'fraid not, can't think of many plastic objects that have increased in value over time.
we have a bunch of clocks with various reasons why they won't work, just wondered if some could be made good with parts from others

[Donald Wilson]

I've done a certain amount of cannibalising of defective analogue clocks, and can correct a few simple faults, but I'm definitely not a craftsman. And the most common fault I find is a broken rocker arm, which is not something that can be fixed with screwdrivers. I've thought of a way to repair rocker arms, but it would require materials and tools that I don't possess.

I'd be willing to examine faulty clocks if they were brought to a congress - I might be able to restore some to working order, but I can't give any guarantees.

[adamraoof]

I've done a certain amount of cannibalising of defective analogue clocks, and can correct a few simple faults, but I'm definitely not a craftsman. And the most common fault I find is a broken rocker arm, which is not something that can be fixed with screwdrivers. I've thought of a way to repair rocker arms, but it would require materials and tools that I don't possess.

Me too, and it now becomes clear why arbiters spend a lot of energy stopping people playing blitz with analogue clocks!

What's your solution to fixing a rocker arm? I haven't tried removing and replacing, but a drop of well-placed glue can mend a splintered arm quite effectively.

[Donald Wilson]

Adam,

I think that glue, at best, will simply move the stress to another point on the arm, and before long it will break again.

My idea is for a permanent solution: tying or glueing a rigid metal plate or bar along the top of the arm should protect it from the tensional stress that does the damage. It's possible that wood could be used instead of metal, but it's only in the past few days that I've come up with this idea, and I haven't opened up a clock to study how practical it may be.

[Graham Kerr]

thanks for your kind offer donald, i'll sort out what needs looked at, i've no idea which need simple repairs.
I'm not playing glenrothes or edinburgh this year, but i'm pretty sure one of our lot will :-)

[adamraoof]

Adam,

I think that glue, at best, will simply move the stress to another point on the arm, and before long it will break again.

My idea is for a permanent solution: tying or glueing a rigid metal plate or bar along the top of the arm should protect it from the tensional stress that does the damage. It's possible that wood could be used instead of metal, but it's only in the past few days that I've come up with this idea, and I haven't opened up a clock to study how practical it may be.

Yes, I had a look at the idea of a 'splint' - when you open up the clock and try to remove the bar, be really careful not to catch it on the springs - they are not protected at all and once they unravel, that's it.

It is a good idea if you can find something the right size, but it would have to be really good glue!