Troubleshooting Forestville Mantel Clock Repairs - It's No Pleasure When Things Don't Run Smoothly! (Part 1)
In the realm of antique clock repair, pivot replacement is often a delicate and intricate task, especially for small pivots like the one found in a 1960s German mantel clock currently under repair.
The mantel clock, despite its age, is in good condition, with the clock movement and case showing no significant signs of wear. However, the broken pivot, perhaps 0.5mm in size, has posed a challenge.
The author, with limited experience in pivot repair, especially for such small pivots, drilled approximately 4-5mm into the shaft to anchor the pivot wire. A bushing was then installed in the front plate of the mantel clock after the repair.
To secure the pivot wire, a high-strength Permatex Thread Locker Red was used, which takes 24 hours to cure. The hairspring escapement of the mantel clock is well protected by a plastic shroud, ensuring its safety during the repair process.
While reinstalling the gears of the mantel clock, an unexpected issue arose when the center cannon front plate pivot sheared off. This setback has not dampened the author's spirits, as they are reserving judgment on the success of the pivot repair until all three bushings on the time side are installed.
The Forestville Clock Company, known for its wooden movement clocks in the 19th century, is not the manufacturer of this mantel clock. Instead, it was imported from Germany. The Blackforest Clock Company of Toronto, Ontario, founded by Leopold and Sara Stossel in 1928, could potentially be the original manufacturer, but further research is needed to confirm this.
Repairing pivots in antique clocks like these can be challenging due to the fragile materials, wear and tear, limited availability of original replacement parts, and precision requirements. These issues necessitate careful and skilled repair work to ensure smooth gear rotation without excess friction.
The results of the pivot repair on the mantel clock will be presented on November 25th. For those seeking detailed historical documentation on this specific issue, it may require consulting specialized horological references or antique clock repair forums.
The author's challenge in repairing the 1960s German mantel clock lies not only in the small, broken pivot but also the sheared off center cannon front plate pivot. Despite this, their focus remains on the upcoming installation of all three bushings on the time side.
In the fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden sphere, vintage clocks such as the mantel clock under repair add a unique charm to a room's lifestyle. With numerous antique clocks imported from various countries, identifying the original manufacturer can sometimes be a puzzling task, as seen with this mantel clock, which is not from the Forestville Clock Company, but may have originated from the Blackforest Clock Company of Toronto, Ontario.
Regardless of its origin, the intricate pivot repair work on the mantel clock showcases the precision, patience, and skill required in the field of antique clock repair, ensuring that these vintage clocks, with their clock movements, continue ticking and adding elegance to a home's decor.
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