Michael Gainey's

Master Clock Repair

AWCI Certified Clockmaker

Columbus, Ohio

By Appointment Only


BEFORE AND AFTER

Movements

The following pictures show various clock mechanisms both before and after a complete overhaul was performed.  These movements were not just cleaned but every piece was examined for defect and repaired.  For more information on the various points of what a complete overhaul entails and what so many other repairmen miss click on the following link.

Clock Mov't Restoration

Before

8 Day Weight Driven Early American Strap Movement
"Strap" movement refers to the fact that the clock plates were made of individual thin strips of brass riveted together to form a single "plate".
Commonly found in early "triple" and "double" decker mantle clocks
After
8 Day Weight Driven Early American Strap Movement

Same movement as above after overhaul.

Before

8 Day American Strap Clock Movement
Same movement as above seen from different angle
After
8 Day American Weight Driven Strap Movement
Same movement as above after overhaul
Before
Early American Weight Driven Strap Movement
Another example of an early American "Strap" movement with a different shape
After
Early American Weight Driven Strap Movement
Same movement as above after overhaul.

Before

8 Day Weight Driven Ogee Movement
Here is a similar movement to those shown above after they transitioned to sheet brass movements.  The clock plates were cut/stamped from a single sheet of brass instead of multiple smaller "strips".
After
Eight Day Weight Driven Ogee Clock Movement
Same movement as above after overhaul

Before

30 HOUR WEIGHT DRIVEN OGEE MOVEMENT
This type of movement is commonly found in Ogee and Half Column Clocks
After
30 Hour Weight Driven Ogee Clock Movement
Commonly Found in Ogee and Half Column Clocks

Before

Antique American Ansonia Striking Clock Movement

Before Overhaul
After
Antique American Ansonia Striking Clock Movement
After Overhaul


Before
Antique German Cuckoo and Quail Movement
Before Overhaul
After
Antique German Cuckoo and Quail Movement
These clocks can very difficult to repair due to the the complex lever system that controls the quail and cuckoo functions.  Note the bird shaped fixture at top center.  There was no need to shape this piece in this manner except for the "Art" of it.  The owners of the clocks rarely if ever knew such effort went into making the clock movement. 
Before
Seth Thomas 8 Day American Lyre Style Striking Clock Movement
The missing Geneva stops (just below the winding arbors) are often removed by repairmen who do not fully understand their purpose and who do not know how to reinstall them properly.
After
Seth Thomas 8 Day American Lyre Style Striking Clock Movement

One of my favorite movement types.  The designation "Lyre" is given to this movement due to the shape of the plates.  Shaping the plates in this manner had no mechanical advantage but showed the art and pride of those who designed and manufactured the clock movements.  Remember, most clock owners would have no idea the mechanism had this shape unless they removed the dial.
Before
Antique American Bell Striking Tall Case Movement in the English Style
Due to the age of clocks such as this, not only are they usually worn very badly due to age related wear but they have often been abused by "well meaning" amateur repairmen.  If you look closely at the various levers you will see several brass patches and some sloppy solder work.   Also notice the band aid on the hammer at top of picture.  This is often done by clock owners to quiet the rather loud tone when the clock strikes.
After
Antique English Bell Striking Tall Case Clock
Same as above after overhaul.  The lever system had been abused so badly it was not practical to use the badly damaged original parts.  The entire striking lever system was made from generic bell striker components that had to be modified for proper fit and function.  The strike trip/warning lever, the rack hook, gathering pallet and rack have been replaced as well as the typical overhaul work of pivot burnishing and bearing surface repair.
Before
Antique English Bell Striking Tall Case Clock
This is another type of an English bell striking movement.  
After
Antique English Bell Striking Tall Case Clock Movement
Same as above after overhaul.  
Before
Antique English Bell Striking Tall Case Clock Movement
Same as above before overhaul. 
After
Antique English Bell Striking Tall Case Clock Movement
Same as above after overhaul. 
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