Vintage Clock Parts Guide

Repairing Winding Arbor Bushings on a Sessions Mantel Clock
Repairing Winding Arbor Bushings on a Sessions Mantel Clock
When working on a Sessions mantel clock, winding problems often trace back to wear around the winding arbor bushings. This area sees frequent use, and small differences in fit can... Read more...
Troubleshooting a Gilbert Mantel Clock That Stops or Strikes Incorrectly
Troubleshooting a Gilbert Mantel Clock That Stops or Strikes Incorrectly
This article focuses on diagnosing and correcting common problems found in Gilbert mantel clock movements that have been poorly serviced or incorrectly reassembled. These clocks often arrive over-oiled, dirty, or... Read more...
Cuckoo Clock Stops Intermittently: Diagnosing Beat and Wear Issues
Cuckoo Clock Stops Intermittently: Diagnosing Beat and Wear Issues
When a cuckoo clock runs well for hours or even days, then suddenly stops, it can be confusing and frustrating. These clocks often give subtle warnings before a full failure,... Read more...
Gilbert 8-Day Clock Escapement Power Loss Troubleshooting
Gilbert 8-Day Clock Escapement Power Loss Troubleshooting
When a Gilbert 8-day clock runs strong right after winding but slows down or stops days later, the problem can be frustrating. At first glance, everything may appear correct: the... Read more...
Junghans Mantel Clock Chime Train Loses Power When Cased
Junghans Mantel Clock Chime Train Loses Power When Cased
A common and frustrating situation in clock repair is a movement that runs perfectly on the test stand, yet develops problems once it is installed back into the case. This... Read more...
Gilbert Clock Geneva Stop Works Adjustment and Setup Guide
Gilbert Clock Geneva Stop Works Adjustment and Setup Guide
Gilbert eight-day clock movements with Geneva stop works that prevent winding after partial rotation reveal the frustrating problem where incorrect stop positioning creates strike train lock-up despite apparent correct long... Read more...
Winding Mainsprings Without a Mainspring Winder and Beat Adjustment Guide
Winding Mainsprings Without a Mainspring Winder and Beat Adjustment Guide
American clock movements with clip-in mainsprings that need additional winding tension before reassembly create the frustrating problem where clockmakers without dedicated spring winding machines struggle to coil springs sufficiently tight... Read more...
Sessions Clock Click Spring Replacement and Repair Guide
Sessions Clock Click Spring Replacement and Repair Guide
Sessions clock movements with broken click springs reveal the critical safety problem where failed ratchet retention during winding creates violent mainspring release causing hand injuries and movement damage that cheap... Read more...
Mainspring Cleaning Lubrication and Sticking Coil Troubleshooting
Mainspring Cleaning Lubrication and Sticking Coil Troubleshooting
American clock movements that stop after four days despite thorough cleaning reveal the frustrating problem where mainsprings with insufficient lubrication or coils catching on click rivets create intermittent binding that... Read more...
Repairing Broken French Clock Fly Arbors and Pivots
Repairing Broken French Clock Fly Arbors and Pivots
French clock movements with broken fly governor arbors showing both shaft fracture and missing pivot create the challenging repair situation where replacement from donor movements proves more practical than attempting... Read more...
Japy Freres French Clock Service and Beat Adjustment
Japy Freres French Clock Service and Beat Adjustment
Japy Freres French mantel clocks that stop after five minutes despite visible crutch movement reveal the deceptive problem where twisted suspension springs combined with incomplete cleaning create insufficient power delivery... Read more...
Cleaning Rusty Clock Pinions and Arbors Complete Guide
Cleaning Rusty Clock Pinions and Arbors Complete Guide
Clock movements with heavy rust on pinions and arbors stored in humid environments without climate control create the frustrating problem where rotary wire wheels can't reach between pinion leaves near... Read more...