Back to Mike's Clock Clinic's Main Web Page
Sorry, no longer teaching and I have no alternatives.
I still repair/overhaul the 400-day Anniversary clock
Outline of the 400-day Overhaul Course
Copyright © 1999-2017 Michael P. Murray & Mike's Clock Clinic
Mike's Clock Clinic
1600 Maryland Avenue
Myrtle Point, OR 97458-1508
In continuous horological service since 04/01/82
Phone: 541-559-1090
E-mail address: Mike@atmos-man.com
MCC's Web site is located at http://www.atmosman.com/
400-Day Clock Repair Bench Course
SERVICING AND REPAIR OF 400-DAY CLOCKS A TWO-DAY COURSE
COURSE OUTLINE AND STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
This two day course is designed for the clock repair person
or hobbyist who is already proficient with basic clock service
and repair techniques, such as: disassembly and cleaning,
mainspring removal and replacement from a spring barrel,
pivot straightening and repivoting, barrel and wheel tooth
repair and/or replacement, rebushing, reassembly and regulation.
The course is specific to 400-Day type torsion pendulum clocks,
however the principles herein apply as well to 8-Day, 30-Day,
100-Day, and 1000-Day mechanical torsion pendulum clocks made
in the period from the 1870's through the 1980's. Extensive
reference will be made to the Horolovar 400-Day Clock Repair
Guide, 10th Edition. The following specific topics are covered,
with the student performing each task on their own clock:
FIRST DAY: Basic disassembly, inspection, cleaning, repair,
assembly and regulation
Disassembly
Mainspring removal and inspection
Inspection and cleaning all other parts, repairs as needed
(We will NOT cover repivoting, teeth replacement, or
wheel and pinion machining)
Plate polishing
Initial movement assembly and test of train operation through
escape wheel
Final movement assembly and test of pallet arbor lock and drop
Clock assembly including suspension unit and suspension fork
adjustment
Winding and setting the beat
Final assembly and regulation
SECOND DAY: Review of First Day, typical problem diagnosis and
advanced adjustments
Review with questions and answers from First Day Class
Clock runs too fast or too slow
Clock runs for a period of time and stops
Pendulum wobbles and clock running seems weak
Pendulum over swing too small, clock stops
Escapement "flutters" regardless of suspension fork position
Special considerations for the Kaiser Universe
Occasional second wheel slippage
Missing anchor counter-weights
Elgin by S. Haller, Plate # 1522B, the "unrepairable one"
Schatz "49" models with 3rd wheel barrels
MATERIALS AND TOOLS REQUIRED, TO BE BROUGHT TO CLASS BY STUDENT
MATERIALS:
1. At least one 400-Day clock. This clock does not have to be
working, but must be complete with all parts including
the suspension spring assembly. Any make or model
will do, try to be sure all the pivot are not broken or
severely bent as repivoting will not be covered. Also,
please check that all wheels are whole because teeth
replacement and wheel and pinion machining will not be
covered. I have a full compliment of suspension springs
and a limited supply of top blocks, bottom blocks, and
forks parts. I'll also, carry all possible mainsprings.
All parts used in class will be sold at cost plus 10%
and I'll only sell parts for the particular clock you
bring into class.
2. Horolovar 400-Day Clock Repair Guide, 10th Edition
3. Any paste brass polish, such as Dursol, Simichrome or Peck
4. Cleaning and polishing rags (terry cloth, old T-shirts,
well used 3M scrubbee pads)
5. Rodico
TOOLS:
1. Basic clock service and repair tools: Miniature pliers
(gripping type, flat jaw, needle nose, sidecutter);
Screwdriver assortment, blade width 1 mm to 6 mm;
Large screwdriver or angle screwdriver with 8 mm wide
blade; Miniature file set, fine cut; Small brass head
hammer Clamps (small C-clamps or parallel clamps)
2. 2 tweezers (any combination of # 3, # 5, # AA, or # MM)
3. 5 sided cutting broach and smooth broaches
4. 6' extension cord and one electric strip with at least
a 4 plugs & a bench lamp
5. 4/0000 or 6/0000 emery paper & 4/0000 or 6/0000 steel wool
6. Avery labels or any like product
7. Assembly Clamps (3 or more)
8 Crow's foot
9. High heat source such as a butane or propane torch
10. Pegwood (Hard round toothpicks) & Pithwood
11. Portable bench riser of at least 8" x 12" x 6" high
12. Portable bench vise
13. Small pair of scissors
14. Surgeon-type or cloth gloves
15. Any of your own bench hand tools
16. Any Anniversary specific parts that you may have accumulated
17. Any Anniversary specific tools that you may have accumulated
18. Set of let down keys or a slotted let down handle
19. Mainspring winder (optional but recommended if you have one)
20. Magnifying headset or loupe
21. Precision Micrometer (must read or interpolate to 4 decimal
places, either in inches or millimeters)
22. Dial Caliper (should read to 3 significant figures)
23. Pickup Amplifier (a timer such as Timetrax or Microset is
optional but desirable if you have one)
II Rev. 2 8/99 PAGE 1 through 3 by John Hubby, 077889
Copyright 1999-2017 by Michael P. Murray & Mike's Clock Clinic
Note: Thanks to Fred Armbrust, John Connolly, John Hubby, John Losch, Les McAlister, Mike
Murray, and Joe Rabushka who reviewed and contributed to the material
in this course.
END of outline
Respectfully,
Michael P. Murray
Memberships Include:
National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors
An Internet private E-mailing list called Clocksmiths
N.A.W.C.C. International 400-day Clock Chapter # 168
Formally Published in Chapter 168's Torsion Times
Formally AWCI's 400-day (Anniversary) clock Bench Course Instructor
The FTP sites can be accessed from Mike's Clock Clinic's Web site.
This site contains all of the FTP (file transfer protocol) sites
mentioned below plus much, much more.
The FTP sites are as follows:
Atmos Clock FTP site.
and
Repair Web FTP site.
or
Main Earthlink FTP site (contains all of the above).
A service from, E-mail address Mike@atmos-man.com
Mike Murray Founder of Clocksmiths
A specialist in Atmos and 400-day clock repair.
Also, I overhaul most plug in electric clocks.
In continuous service since 04/01/1982.
Mike's Clock Clinic Memberships: Clocksmiths & NAWCC
My Web site is located at http://www.atmos-man.com/
Main FTP site is located at http://www.home.earthlink.net/~atmosman/earthpdf.html
Back to Mike's Clock Clinic's Main Web Page
Copyright © 1999-2017 Michael P. Murray & Mike's Clock Clinic
Created in December of 1999 and last updated January 07, 2017.