Exemplary Craftsmanship: Exceptional Mechanical Clock Repair and Restoration Services
Clockworks Inc, Expert Clock Repair and Restoration Services
- Mechanical Clock Movement Restoration can include:
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Step one - Cleaning and Lubrication: We meticulously clean the clock movement using Clockworks high-grade ultrasonic fluid in a thorough three-step process. of course, this ensures that it is free from dirt and ready for a meticulous inspection.
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Step Two - Inspection and Quoting: Our team of professionals conducts a comprehensive inspection of the clock movement to identify any potential mechanical issues. Based on the findings, we provide a quote which details any additional restoration work that the movement may need.
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Step Three - Disassembly and Restoration: Disassembly and Restoration: Upon approval, we proceed with disassembling the clock movement. Depending on the specific requirements of your project, our skilled craftsmen may perform various restoration tasks, including bushing work, customization of mechanical parts, and other necessary adjustments to ensure optimal functionality.
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Please note that the above steps represent a general outline of our mechanical clock movement restoration process, which we tailor to address each clock's unique needs and intricacies.
Clockworks specializes in clock repair services for a wide range of renowned brands, such as Hermle, Kieninger, Howard Miller, Seth Thomas, Urgos, Ridgeway, and many others. Whether you need repairs for an heirloom Hermle clock or restoration for your prized Seth Thomas timepiece, Clockworks is the one to trust. So contact us today for all your clock repair needs.Rates 4.8/5 basis on 62 customer reviews
For local house calls only - Kindly be aware that we have distinct pricing structures for on-site clock repairs versus work we perform on the clock itself. While the clock movement restoration may be under warranty either by Clockworks or the manufacturer, it's important to note that the charge for visiting your location with the necessary tools and equipment is separate and non-negotiable. This fee applies regardless of the circumstances that necessitates our on-site services and must be paid accordingly.
Clockworks clock supply
Welcome to clockworks.com clock supply. We are a global Horological supplier of clock parts and clock movements. Of course, we are an ethical family of clock enthusiasts that work on clocks every day. This family has 100 years of clock making and repairing as a back ground, and this website was made in 1998 upon the dawn of the internet.
Appointment only
If you are local to us, call for an appointment to get a service on your clock. We offer a large variety of clock parts, and movements. Also anything else that has to do with clocks and clock parts.
Clockworks location
We reside in Huntington, MA, in the USA. This is clock country here because Huntington is not far from where all those old clock factories were. Seth Thomas, New Haven, Waterbury, Ansonia, Westfield Watch, Chelsea Clock Co, and more. Of importance, this region is where the great clock manufacturers began production on countless quality clocks. Moreover, this astounding quality has been sought after even a century later.
Its all about the clocks
Clockworks.com resides in the back woods of New England. Bears, coyotes, wolves and deer are common up in these parts. When Midwest or southern people hear of the state of MA they maybe do not think of dirt roads and remote forest land. However, a foot or two of snow in the winter keeps us burning the wood stove. In the meanwhile, we are here working on clocks and clock parts usually every day of the week.
Clockworks Clock Supply Summary
Naturally, there is not much we would rather do. This is our passion and joy. Mechanical clocks are so fascinating to watch in motion. It is hypnotic to examine the intricate movement of the wheels and gears as the clock runs. Developments through the years has made advancements in the clock movement from time only to a highly complex conglomeration of gears and functions. Phases of the moon, calendar, chiming and striking while doing all this without a plug in the wall or battery. Strictly mechanical power made all this happen and that is pretty amazing.
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Clockworks Clock Supply Origin
Clockworks clock supply origin begins with Nepaug Clockworks in the mid 1940’s by Robert Tonkin. Nepaug is a quaint town in New Hartford, CT. This legacy of Clock repair service began in a barn near the house in Nepaug. Also, additional work with a Jeweler that was across from the old Seth Thomas factory in Thomaston, CT.
Clockworks supply developments
In 1991 his nephew (me), James Stoudenmire, took an interest in what he was doing and began to follow suite. Of course, my first step was to join NAWCC in 1994 and became in full swing with clocks. I took up a clock repair internship at Goldsmith Jewelers with Ludwig Goldsmith in Wilbraham, MA. Also, I became an apprentice for another clock and watch maker, Al Descorcy, of Al's clock shop. Working for free but learning about more about clocks and repairing them. We would go to all the NAWCC shows that would take place within 200 miles of us. At the shows we would watch the experts explain various things. Things like details about special clocks and how to re-pivot them and all this. Of course, we met other clock makers and were able to get their opinions on certain problem units and so forth.
The information age
Then came the internet in 1995, and Ebay to soon follow. Selling here and there on Ebay with the user name of Clockworks. It stuck and we got pretty busy with it selling some of the large stock of parts we had already had. So the next step was to get a website. We were stuck with theclockman.com because clockworks.com was taken by a non clock person. Finally in 1998 I was able to purchase the domain clockworks.com. More and more people came aboard and now here we are.
Modern times
These days we have a full stock clock repair center. We have industrial clock cleaning machines and various lathe setups. Using both Bergeron and KWM bushing devices and Gear cutters. We have one to two thousand of old clock movements that we organize by country of manufacturer and the maker. At the same time, we continue to run the clockworks.com retail side of offering everything from moon gears to quartz clock hands to full tubular bell clock kits. We offer a complete line of mechanical and battery clock movements.
- If we need a part, we go to the next section of the building and get it, from either our retail supply or our antique supply.
- If we need to cut a gear, or make a pivot, we go to another room and do it.
When someone emails [email protected] with a clock issue, andclockworks.com can't solve it, then it's most likely not solvable.
Lets get ticking
Together we can save the clock instead of getting rid of it. When people have a clock for a long time, and then get rid of it, it seems all they can think about is that clock. In other words, when they have a clock, they do not think about it much. But when they get rid of it, it sticks in there brain that they should have tried to save it. Whatever one decides to do is fine, but if the clock is to work, this is the right site.
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Mechanical Clock Cleaning Service
clockworks.com Mechanical Clock Cleaning Service is the first step of a movement restoration. The movement needs to have the old oil removed in order to determine where bushings are needed. We shake the gear train up and down to test the movement for potential bushings. A mark is then placed where we find a bushing is needed. If the movement is gummed up with old oil the gears will not move up and down like they should. Therefore a cleaning is always the first step of getting a movement restored.
If sending it in for a cleaning and inspection, we will assess what the movement needs and quote for what further work should be done, if any. If not wanting to have any more work done on the movement despite our recommendations, or if it does not need any, we will oil it and send it back.
Why Clockworks.com?
clockworks.com has the best tooling, cleaning equipment, and cleaning solutions. There is no expense spared by us when it comes to having the best equipment. With this factor and 3 generations of clock repair expertise, rest assure the movement will be in the best hands it can possibly be in.
What we need
We only need the movement. That is all, nothing else. Remove the clock movement from the case and ship it to us. We do not need the clock case, pendulum, weights, chime block, or hands. We need none of these things because we have everything in our stock that is required. The best way to pack the movement is to wrap it, with the handshaft facing up, tightly in a box. Make sure it cannot bounce around in there. Also, do not let packing peanuts get inside the movement. Then pack that box into another box. Packing it in this manner will ensure safe delivery of the movement.
Mechanical Clock Cleaning Service - Pricing
We will take the movement in, unpack it, and then clean it and inspect it for $200. If it passes inspection, we will oil it and test it. If this is all that is needed then the final cost is the $200 plus the shipping back. The initial $200 is non refundable and is the fee for the cleaning, inspection, oiling and testing. If it does not pass inspection, we will contact with what else is going on with the movement and how much it will cost to fix it. Then it is purely up to the customer how they would like to proceed from there.
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Removing a mechanical clock movement
This is a basic guideline for removing a mechanical clock movement. This is not for every clock, but most grand mother and grand father clocks produced after WW2. There are numerous clock makers and each have their own style. Anyone could have built the clock and mounted it in their own way. They all have the same basic steps for removal, but sometimes a clock maker puts their own twist on these things.
Modern post WW2 Floor clocks
Remove weights and pendulum - Unhook the weights and set them aside. Do the same with the pendulum. Be sure to handle these items with a rag or use gloves. This goes for the dial as well as any other shiny metal item on the clock. If touched directly, the acid fro hands and sweat will cause the metal to tarnish. It will not be immediately evident, but over time it can be seen with dark finger prints in these areas.
Removing the clock hands
Take off the minute hand by turning the hand nut to the left, while holding the hands still. May need to loosen this nut with needle nose pliers, and then be able to use fingers after. To get the hour hand off, twist it and pull it toward you, it is a friction fit and will come right off. If having a second hand bit, it is also a friction fit so twist and pull like the hour hand.
Removing the clock dial
Phase of the moon clock dials usually have four posts that come out of the back, that lock into the movement. The first thing too remove is the outer trim that surrounds the dial in the front. Remove the screws that hold the outer trim, so it can be removed and put out of the way.
The moon clock dial will have posts sticking out of the back and will have small holes in the ends. This is for a tapered pin to go through and secure the dial to the movement. Use needle nose pliers to grab the tapered pin and yank it out. Ideally the case will have side access panels so to get to these levers, or pins. This would be the easiest way to unlock the dial from the side of the clock case. One other method for the dial is for it to be attached to the wood case instead of the movement. If this is the situation the dial already came off with the wood trim.
Removing the clock movement
Take the seat board screws out that hold the a href="/clock-movement.html">movement in place. In grandfather clocks, these would be on the bottom of the movement going up into the movement's pillar or arbors that hold the plates together. In other words, look inside the clock case where the weights are and look straight up. IT can be seen the href="/product/clock-movement-seat-board-screws">seat board screws holding the movement in place. Take those screws out and the movement will come right out the front where the dial was. If the clock is chain driven, it may need the hook and tabs of the chains removed first. This means taking off the weight hook and ring on the chain itself. This is easy to do. Use two needle nose pliers to twist open the link that is holding the hook or ring. If it cannot twist open, may have to snap the link.
Wall and Mantle
These are even more simple than the GF clocks above. Take the hands off as described above, remove the pendulum and the dial. Now it is left with only the movement which is mounted to the wood case. Remove the four screws, or nuts, that hold it in place and its done.
Mechanical Clock - Movement Removal Conclusion
Removal of the clock movement is fast and easy. Now that the movement is outside of the clock case, it can be swapped out for the new one. It can also be sent in for cleaning and restoration. Installation is, of course, in the reverse of the Mechanical Clock - Removing Movement text.
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Sending A Clock for Repair
Sending A Clock for Repair is easy because we here at clockworks.com need the movement alone. We get clock repairs shipped to us from all over USA and Canada. There is never a problem doing this as long as the movements are double boxed and well protected. Here are some guidelines on how to ship the movement and also what to expect.
Packing The Movement
Undoubtedly, the safest way to pack the movement is to box it up nice and tight with the hand shaft facing up. This is very important! Make sure the movement cannot bounce around inside the box. The next step is to pack that box inside another box. If sending it like this, there will be no problem getting it to us. It does not even have to be put together. Sending us a bag of parts and the movement plates is ok also. It does not matter as long as it's all there. Don't laugh, we have had this happen many times! We know how to put it back together, so don't worry.
Protect the clock hand shaft
When packing up the movement, take special care to protect the hand shaft as this is hard to correct if it gets bent. This is the shaft that the hands go on to tell the time. Pack the movement up well with newspaper and bubble wrap. If using packing peanuts make sure to put the movement inside a plastic bag first! Please do not let the movement get peanuts all up inside of it.
Again, when placing the movement inside the box make sure to place it in with the hand shaft pointing up. Once the movement is packed really well in a box, pack it again in another box with more packing material. The movement should not be able to bounce around inside the first box. Double boxing provides extra cushion for the movement as it travels to minimize the possibility of damage.
What not to ship us
We only need the movement itself. Do not ship us the dial, weights, pendulum, chime block or any other part that is not the clock movement itself. There is no point in sending back and forth parts that we do not need, to risk damage. The dial and pendulum get easily damaged when shipped, unlike the movement that ships well.
Sending the movement for repair by UPS
If you have a UPS account, or have access to ship it via UPS, just send it along after filling out the form. If it is a problem getting it shipped out, let us know the weight and dimensions of the box and we can email a UPS label for a low price. Shipping centers are unreasonably expensive when it comes to packing and shipping something. If boxing it up as described and ship it to us with the label provided, it will be substantially less cost than a place like Mailboxes, etc to pack and ship. Please email us at [email protected] with the weight and dimensions of the box if this sounds better. Of course, there is the option of go priority mail as well.
After the movement is packed up, please send it to: CLOCKWORKS 124 Goss Hill Rd, Huntington, MA 01050. Once you fill out the form, we will get notification that the clock is coming. You will receive an email confirmation of the form submission.
- Clockworks
- 124 Goss Hill Rd
- Huntington MA 01050
- 800-381-7458
- [email protected]
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How does our service work?
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STEP 1Cleaning & Oiling
First we unpack the movement and notify the customer that we are in receipt of it with no shipping damage. Then a thorough cleaning is done with the use of 3 ultrasonic cleaning machines.
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STEP 2 Inspection & Quoting
The next step that we take is to inspect the movement with magnification for evidence of wear. Usually things such as new mainsprings and bushings on worn pivots need to be done.
Read More -
STEP 3 Restoration
This is where the movement gets taken apart by the clockmaker to fully restore it to a working timepiece.
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In the process
Some Past Pricing
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Clock Repair Service or Customization (Oil & Clean)
$200.00
Clock Repair Service or Customization (Oil & Clean)
Clockworks has 3 full time clock makers on staff. Between our precision tools and 100+ years of combined experience, we perform the best service. Not to mention we are a clock part supplier to the clock making industry. Get your movement done right!