Workshop Hints
"Current Notes"
CN #9, Guidelines for Collectors Quality Restorations
The following Electrical Notes were compiled by Mr Mike Frost and published on the Clock/ClockerSmiths mailing lists on the Internet. We Thank Mike for giving us permission to publish these pages on the BHI's web site. The information here does not necessarily indicate a method approved by the BHI, we are publishing these notes so that others can decide for themselves whether the methods listed below will suit them.
The following are guidelines for restorations of synchronous electric clocks to Collectors Quality. This classification covers many everyday restorations and can be accomplished by most experienced restorers. Service to clocks under these guidelines will ensure that the clock has received a quality restoration. Some non-documented modifications are allowable due to the non-availability of parts information, or to improve the function and/or operation of the clock. Generally, more 'patina' is allowed on the clock.
. CASE WORK: All case work should include a complete cleaning with minor repairs to extensive or blatant damage. All missing parts should be replaced. Extremely pitted or worn plated trim and bezels should be replated. Nominal wear and corrosion on plating is acceptable and remaining plating should be polished. Dial face, hands, and motion works should be in place and cleaned, however, normal wear and tear is acceptable. Printed paper and film dial faces, background scenery, labels, tags, and decals should only be replaced if missing or badly damaged. Retouched electronic reproduction of these items is acceptable only for replacement of missing or badly damaged items. Case painting should be re-touched only for excessive damage or wear.
. MOVEMENT: Movements should be repaired to working condition, with as much original configuration as possible. Modifications made prior to the restoration may be retained if correction would damage the movement or other parts, or if the correct configuration cannot be determined. Other modifications are allowed only if suggested in original manufacturers publications. Plates and trains should be cleaned, bushed, and lubricated as necessary. Phenolic resin and plastic wheels, pinions, and plates may be replaced with a suitable material in the original configuration only.
. MOTORS: Motors, coils, and rotors should be repaired to working condition, with acceptable and required modifications for safety. Motors, rotors, and coils need not be the original style if they were changed prior to restoration. No verification is needed.
MARKING OF CLASSIFICATIONS
All synchronous electric clocks will have the restorers mark placed on the clock. This mark will be placed on the inside of the movement cover, on the inside of the rear case door, or under the base of the clock. Marks should never be placed over labels, other restorers marks, or over any identifiable marking or feature on the clock, and should not be visible except from under the base. Marks should not damage the case parts in any way.
Marks will conform the following standards:
COLLECTORS QUALITY restorations will be indicated on a 3/4" round adhesive paper tag. A suitable covering such as varnish or shellac may be used to protect the tag and help with adhesion. A line will be drawn horizontally through the center from side to side. Above the line will be a four digit date code and the restorers mark. The restoration date code will be in the form: 1297 or 9712 for December 1997, as an example, and the restorers mark can be initials or a specific mark. Below the line will be the capital letter C inside a small circle. Outside the circle, and to the right, the capital letter R will indicate that specific research material has been found and accompanies the timepiece.
SAFETY MODIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
GENERAL:
Any bear wires that carry live current at any time are to be replaced with black insulated braided wire of a gauge between 18 and 22 AWG. Wire connections are to be twisted and secured with a wire nut suitable for the size and number of wires connected. Standard electrical tape IS NOT suitable for wrapping wire connections. Original coil and motor leads should not be re-used due to possible cracking and loss of insulating quality. Lead bosses must be repaired or replaced if cracked or missing and wires attached to them must have properly fitting retaining nuts and bosses must be secured to the inside of the case or on the movement as appropriate.
COILS:
When original coils need to be replaced, new coils must be on a plastic or paper bobbin, with end flanges, wrapped with insulating tape, and numbers marked as original. Covering the coil with epoxy is not acceptable as this does not allow for heat generated by the coil to be properly dissipated.
Rotors, whether replaced or repaired, must carry the original stampings and show as little evidence of repair as possible. If the original rotor number is not known, another like rotor may be substituted.
Motors must have all original components and show as little evidence of repair as possible. All original markings, stampings, and inked numbers must be retained. Applying epoxy to frayed wire leads that pass through motor housings is not acceptable.
CORDS:
Original cloth coated cords should not be re-used. Replace with UL listed replacement cloth coated cord. Any cracked, frayed or broken cords and plugs with broken or missing parts are to be replaced. Cord grommets must be in place where the cord passes through metal case parts. A knot tied in the cord inside the case is recommended to keep the cord from being pulled from the case. Original half-round plugs with no grip neck allowed for removal from the wall only by pulling the cord and are to be replaced with a comparable plug with a grip neck.
Mike Frost
TIME GUARD, INC.
9655 RICHMOND STREET
MANASSAS, VA 20110
1-800-390-5540
"HELPING YOU SET THE CURRENT TIME."
