Workshop Hints
Workshop Layout

The British Horological Institute has compiled a digest of the following from 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.
The emails were from::
Ben W. Bowen, Dewey Clark, Sam Dubs, Jim Edwards, Harry Gilmore, Dennis Kaye, Mel Kaye, David A. Lee, Jeffrey Major, Robert Marr, Ron, Robert A. Ruby, Norm Schreck, BrianShaw, Douglas K. Stevenson, Tim Sweet, Jeffrey S. Weinberg, Lee Werling,

---

Index

General Layout Benches Bench coverings Floor coverings Tool chests

Equipment Lighting Testing Facilities Storage

---

General Layout

Their answer was basically to keep everything within reach or where you could get at it by rolling your chair to it so that there was not lost time by getting up and going to another part of the shop. The optimum layout would be a U shape where everything is accessible from a single swivel chair.

A bookcase is also advisable for the manuals etc. that you will accumulate.

Benches

• Benches should be of a very solid design.
• It is often better to have separate benches for clock and watch repairs.
• Try not to have machinery on any bench used for hand works such as assembling etc. This 'machinery bench' can also have the large vice on it and can be used for any heavy sawing or hammering etc..
• Some people have the bench at such a height that they can stand or sit in the chair, this cuts down on fatigue.
• Modular furniture can be perfect for a small workshop in the home. You can use various of cabinet bases and tops to create a nice-height and practical bench. One person had two base cabinets under a 6 foot long wooden plank top, with a "hutch" like affair on the top
• of the bench, toward the back, to keep service manuals, catalogues, etc. right at hand.
• All tools should be within easy reach if possible.

Bench coverings

All benches should be covered with a hard wearing surface that can be replaced when it is so damaged that small parts get lost in the cracks and torn areas. Most repairers use on of the following.

• heavy type linoleum
• thin particle board
• carpet tiles
• rotary cutting mats, used by quilters
• Formica
• V51G "VINYL" drafting board cover

The colour of the covering has to be your choice. It can either be dark, so that you can see small brass and steel parts on it, or light, so that it helps illuminate the inside of movements via reflective light. The choice is yours, I suggest you try a small section of both to see which you get on with best.

Floor coverings

There are two main floor coverings used, Close pile carpet and Linoleum.

With carpet the dropped parts don't roll far but are difficult to find. Linoleum, on the other hand, parts will roll but the are easier to see (sometimes).

Tool Chests

Most people use fishing tackle boxes as portable tool stores, especially for house calls.

Some people have 2 sets of tools, one for taking to house calls and the other for workshop use. Others use the same set of tools for both, and have the tool chest positioned by their bench.

It is always better if the tools have their own place in the box, and they are put back in the same place you have finished with them. This will alert you if you have forgotten to retrieve a tool before leaving the customer's house

Equipment

Practically everybody had a lathe!

Some people also had drill presses as well as cleaning machines.

When setting up a cleaner, remember ammonia gives off fumes so allow for good ventilation.

A sink and drainer is also useful, it beats using the 'family sink' and helps prevent domestic problems if you are repairing at home.

Lighting

Good lighting is essential.

If you can have a north facing window (South in the southern hemisphere) this natural light is the best for repairing.

Bench lights are best if he have a fluorescent bulb. This gives off less heat than a normal 60watt bulb. It is best if the lamp is a swivel type so that it can be moved to the position required

Some people also use a lamp with a magnifier built in for close work.

Testing facilities

• Ensure that you have plenty of space for testing prior to returning to the customer.
• For wall clocks, either use pegboard or put a series of screws into the wall. Which ever way you do it, make sure that they are secure. There is nothing worse than a customer's clock falling off the wall!
• Mantle clocks can be tested on shelves. The important thing here is that the selves are strong, stable and level. Take a lot of care when setting up the shelves that they are level both front to back and side to side. This makes testing a lot easier.
• Grandfather clocks can be tested on either a floor standing test bed of a wall hanging test bracket
• Remember most people usually set up and run the clock for at least a week before giving back to the customer, so allow enough area for testing and storing before repairing.

Storage

Storage of spare parts is a major task. They must be readily available, and you must be able to find them at a later stage, often years later.

Types of storage used were

• cigar boxes
• Akro-Mills blue metal cabinets with plastic drawers
• Plastic party dip servers with covers....four spaces (for chips and crackers) arranged around one in the middle (for dip) with a cover....Perfect for movement disassembly! Levers in one space, strike wheels in another, chime, motion work etc.

 

---

Index of Hints and Tips