Workshop Hints
Case Fumigation
The British Horological Institute has provided a digest based on e-mails sent to the Clock/Clockers mailing lists on the Internet. The information here does not necessarily indicate a method approved by the BHI, we are only publishing this digest so that others can decide for themselves whether the methods listed below will suit them.
Based on E-mails from: Harry Gilmore, Bernie Pollack, Brian E Shaw.
Quite often a clock case comes into the workshop with the tell-tale signs of woodworm. Sometimes it is hard to tell if the infestation is current or not. Always treat the case as if it is current and likely to infect the rest of the clocks in your workshop!
The first step is to kill any surviving woodworm. This can be done several ways.
- Liberally coat the case with a proprietary woodworm killer. It is also a good idea to use a syringe to 'inject' the holes with the fluid to ensure that it has got into the wood. As a word of warning, only uses a fluid that is intended to only kill woodworm. Some fluids are also designed to stop wet rot etc. Some BHI members have found that after a short period, a green sticky substance appears on the brass clock plates with these multi-purpose fluids! Once the case has been coated with the fluid, put the case in a dustbin bag and tie it up for a few days. This should kill any emerging bugs.
- For smaller parts, some people put the infested parts in a freezer to kill the woodworm.
- Instead of woodworm fluid (not available in some countries), one suggestion is to use common moth crystals which are available in most hardware stores but will be labelled as Para or PARADICHLOROBENZENE. One teaspoon full of the crystals in a plastic bag or any other container that will hold the case and can be sealed. One week in the sealed container will be long enough. Adults, larvae and eggs will be dead.
Once the case has been treated, fill all the holes with either furniture wax or one of the coloured waxes made for the purpose. If any new holes then appear, you know that you need to repeat the fumigation again.
