I posted this on a clocks forum but I thought I would also post here to share info and also to see if anyone here has experience with antique clocks. My post:
Well, I'm sure you all are used to it by now, but you have another inexperienced clock owner here. I want to thank you all in advance for your advice!
I bought this clock a few weeks ago for $70. I collect antiques but I've never had an old clock. I had to buy a pendulum, weights, string (still had catgut) and a new leader wire. Is that what it's called? The wire with the feather at the top?
The clock kept perfect time for 5 minutes, down to the second and then lost momentum and stopped. If I propped the clock WAY high up under the right side, it kept running very well and was very accurate. Obviously, I couldn't leave it that way though. Long story short, I kept bending the verge? wire and now it doesn't go for more than 10-15 seconds. Something is out of whack now and I can't get it going again. I need to start back at square one. I do not know how to position the wires properly. While the clock movement looks dirty, the actual pivot points are not gunked up and are not worn down. They are well oiled and glide freely. I have a feeling I just messed up the adjusting and I can't fix it. I have also tried adjusting the pendulum and the leader wire length. As you can see, I started to clean the front of the movement but stopped halfway through.
The clock repair shops in my area have a $75 minimum and I just can't pay that. I've spent a lot on this clock already. I will also post this on my favorite antiques forum so that the pictures can be viewed and I can share the info with them. It's a great forum located at:
www.antique-shop.com/forums You might have to have an account to view the pics but it's a great forum and worth registering! I'm sure people there would also love to learn about clocks and share information and experience.
The bottom two pictures are from the day I got it, the top two pictures are today. I just now noticed that bushings look like they were placed where you wind up the clock. I think that's what they are called, bushings. Geesh, talk about inexperienced!