The two most common complaints with clock repairs is the cost for what is done and the long time that it takes.
Cost for performance of work: Above all, for the service that Clockworks provides, the price is quite economical in comparison to other repair shops. For instance, we do not simply perform a clock repair. Rather it is a complete clock movement restoration. Specifically, we specialize on the movement alone, with no clock case, and treat it with love and respect. Subsequently, a clock repair simply fixes the problem so the clock movement will run. Of course we include this too, but we also correct any small detail that will create an issue in the future.
This most often is not the situation with other clock shops and clock repair centers. Therefore, the clock may have several repairs done in the past. Now a few short years later it's back in the same situation, or worse. So Clockworks inspects every detail of each component of the movement and takes the appropriate action without taking any short cuts. Indeed short cuts are all too common place with some companies unfortunately. Generally speaking, a comprehensive assessment and restoration is better than a quick and sloppy repair. Also, Clockworks prides themselves in providing customer support for any questions or problems that may arise.
Fast turn over: Clockworks is a global distributor of clock parts and movements. For this reason, with this part availability at our fingertips there is not much wait time with a movement restoration. As a result, what could take up to 6 months to complete on a clock repair, Clockworks can get it done in about a quarter of the time period. In fact, Clockworks has the capability to pull all necessary parts right from the inventory. Of course this allows restorations to be done in a timely and efficient manner. Likewise, if we need an antique part, we pull it from one of the 1000's of antique movements we warehouse. Furthermore, a part that is not available new or from another movement is custom made by one of our clockmakers. Thus, nothing is sent out, everything is done right here in house.
Clockworks Clock Repair Service offers a variety of clock movement restoration services in the USA, including
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Mechanical Clock Movement Restoration can include:
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Step one - Cleaning and OilingClean the clock movement with Clockworks high grade ultrasonic fluid in a three step process. Therefore, it is ready for a clear inspection.
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Step Two - Inspection and QuotingNext our professionals will give the clock movement a full inspection for any sort of further mechanical work that may be necessary.
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Step Three - Disassembly and RestorationFrom this point, further work could include anything from bushing work on the movement to customization of mechanical parts to fit your projects needs.
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For a quote on a clock project send your clock movement to: Clockworks, PO Box 339 - 124 Goss Hill, Huntington, MA 01050 USA
Specifically, Clockworks provides clock repair services for brands including but not limited to Hermle, Kieninger, Howard Miller, Seth Thomas, Urgos, Ridgeway and much more.
Please view these information tabs to learn about our Mechanical Clock Movement Restoration services
Clockworks clock supply
Welcome to clockworks.com clock supply. We are a global Horological supplier of clock parts and clock movements. An ethical family of clock enthusiasts that work on clocks every day. This family has 100 years of clock making and repairing as a back ground, and this website was made 21 years ago in 1998.
Appointment only
If you are local to us you can call for an appointment to get a clock serviced. We offer a large variety of clock parts, and movements. Also anything else you can think of that has to do with clocks and clock parts.
Clockworks location
We are located in Huntington, MA, in the USA. This is clock country here because Huntington is not far from where all those old clock factories were. Seth Thomas, New Haven, Waterbury, Ansonia, Westfield Watch, Chelsea Clock Co, and more. This region is where the great clock manufacturers produced countless quality clocks. They produced quality that are sought after even a century later.
Its all about the clocks
Clockworks.com is located in the back woods of New England. Bears, coyotes, wolves and deer are common up in these parts. When mid west or southern people hear of the state of MA they maybe do not think of dirt roads and remote forest land. A foot or two of snow in the winter keeps us burning the wood stove. In the mean while we are here working on clocks and the related usually every day of the week.
Clockworks Clock Supply Summery
There is not much we would rather do, this is our passion and joy. Mechanical clocks are so fascinating to watch in motion. It is hypnotic to examine the intricate movement of the wheels and gears as the clock runs. Developments through the years turned the clock movement from time only to a highly complex conglomeration of gears and functions. Phases of the moon, calendar, chiming and striking while doing all this with out a plug in the wall or battery. Strictly mechanical power made all this happen and that is pretty amazing.
Clockworks Clock Supply Origin
Clockworks clock supply started out as Nepaug Clockworks in the mid 1940’s by Robert Tonkin. This was from a section called Nepaug in New Hartford, CT. Clock repair service from a barn near the house in Nepaug. Also working for a Jeweler that was across from the old Seth Thomas factory in Thomaston, CT.
Clockworks supply developments
In 1991 his nephew (me) James Stoudenmire took an interest in what he was doing and started to follow suite. Joining NAWCC in 1994 and was in full swing with clocks. Taking up a clock repair internship at Goldsmith Jewelers, owned by Ludwig Goldsmith in Wilbraham, MA. Also an apprentice for another clock and watch maker named Al Descorcy of Al's clock shop. Working for free but learning about more about clocks and repairing them. We would go to all the NAWCC shows that happened within a about 200 miles of us. At the shows we would watch the experts explain various things. Things like details about special clocks and how to re pivot and all this. Meeting other clock makers and getting there opinions on certain problem units and so forth.
The information age
Then came the internet in 1995, and Ebay to soon follow. Selling here and there on Ebay with the user name of clockworks. It stuck and we got pretty busy with it selling some of the large stock of parts we have accumulated. So the next step was to get a website, we were stuck with theclockman.com because clockworks.com was taken by a non clock person. Finally in 1998 was able to purchase the domain clockworks.com. More and more people got involved and now here we are.
Modern times
These days we have a full stack clock repair center. We have industrial clock cleaning machines and various lathe setups. Using both Bergeron and KWM bushing devices and Gear cutters. We have maybe 1 or 2 thousand old clock movements separated by country of manufacturer and the maker. At the same time running the clockworks.com retail side of offering everything from moon gears to quartz clock hands to full tubular bell clock kits. We offer a complete line of mechanical and battery operated clock movements.
- If we need a part, we go to the next section of the building and get it, from either our retail supply or our antique supply.
- If we need to cut a gear or make a pivot, we go to another room and do it.
When someone emails us to clockworks@test.clockworks.com and has a clock issue, if clockworks.com can't solve their issue, it's most likely not solvable.
Lets get ticking
When you have a clock that you like but its giving issues, this is the site for you. Together we can save the clock instead of getting rid of it. When people have a clock for a long time, and then get rid of it, it seems all they can think about is that clock. In other words when they have the clock, they do not think about it much. But when they get rid of it, it sticks in there brain they should have saved it. Whatever you decide to do is fine, but if you would like the clock to work your in the right spot.
Mechanical Clock Cleaning Service
clockworks.com Mechanical Clock Cleaning Service is the first step of a movement restoration. The movement needs to have the old oil removed in order to determine where bushings are needed. We shake the gear train up and down to test the movement for potential bushings. A mark is then placed where we find a bushing is needed. If the movement is gummed up with old oil the gears will not move up and down like they should. Therefore a cleaning is always the first step of getting a movement restored.
If you choose to send it in for a cleaning and inspection, we will assess what the movement needs and quote you for what further work should be done, if any. If you do not want to have any more work done on the movement despite our recommendations, or if it does not need any, we will oil it and send it back.
Why Clockworks.com?
clockworks.com has the best tooling, cleaning equipment, and cleaning solutions. There is no expense spared by us when it comes to having the best equipment. With this factor and 3 generations of clock repair expertise, you can rest assure your movement will be in the best hands it can possibly be in.
What we need
We only need the movement. That is all, nothing else. Remove the clock movement from the case and ship it to us. We do not need the clock case, pendulum, weights, chime block, or hands. We need none of these things from you because we have everything in our stock that is required. The best way to pack the movement is to wrap it, with the handshaft facing up, tightly in a box. Make sure it cannot bounce around in there. Also, do not let packing peanuts get inside the movement! Then you want to pack that box into another box. Packing it in this manner will ensure safe delivery of your movement.
Mechanical Clock Cleaning Service - Pricing
We will take the movement in, unpack it, and then clean it and inspect it for $150. If it passes inspection, we will oil it and test it. If this is all that is needed then the final cost is the $150 plus the shipping back to you. The initial $150 is non refundable and is the fee for the cleaning, inspection, oiling and testing. If it does not pass inspection, we will contact you and let you know what else is going on with the movement and how much it will cost to fix it. Then it is purely up to you how you would like to proceed.
Removing a mechanical clock movement
This is a basic guideline for removing a mechanical clock movement. This is not for every clock, but most grand mother and grand father clocks produced after WW2. There are numerous clock makers and each have their own style. Anyone could have built your clock and mounted it in their own way. They all have the same basic steps for removal, but sometimes a clock maker puts their own twist on these things.
Modern post WW2 Floor clocks
Remove weights and pendulum - Unhook the weights and set them aside. Do the same with the pendulum. Be sure to handle these items with a rag or use gloves. This goes for the dial as well as any other shiny metal item on your clock. If touched directly, the acid from your hands and sweat will cause the metal to tarnish. It will not be immediately evident, but over time you would see dark finger prints in these areas.
Removing the clock hands
Take off the minute hand by turning the hand nut to the left, while holding the hands still. You may need to loosen this nut with needle nose pliers, and then be able to use your fingers after. To get the hour hand off, twist it and pull it toward you, it is a friction fit and will come right off. If you have a second hand bit, it is also a friction fit so twist and pull towards you like the hour hand.
Removing the clock dial
Phase of the moon clock dials usually have four posts that come out of the back, that lock into the movement. The first thing too remove is the outer trim that surrounds the dial in the front. Remove the screws that hold the outer trim, so it can be removed and put out of the way.
The moon clock dial will have posts sticking out of the back and will have small holes in the ends. This is for a tapered pin to go through and secure the dial to the movement. Use needle nose pliers to grab the tapered pin and yank it out. Ideally you will have side access panels so you can get to these levers, or pins. This would be the easiest way to unlock the dial from the side of the clock case. One other method for the dial is for it to be attached to the wood case instead of the movement. If this is the situation the dial already came off with the wood trim.
Removing the clock movement
Take the seat board screws out that hold the a href="/clock-movement.html">movement in place. In grandfather clocks, these would be on the bottom of the movement going up into the movement's pillar or arbors that hold the plates together. In other words, stick your head inside the clock case where the weights are and look straight up. You will see a href="/product/clock-movement-seat-board-screws">seat board screws holding the movement in place. Take those screws out and the movement will come right out the front where the dial was. If the clock is chain driven, it may need the hook and tabs of the chains removed first. This means taking off the weight hook and ring on the chain itself. This is easy to do. Use two needle nose pliers to twist open the link that is holding the hook or ring. If it cannot twist open you may have to snap the link.
Wall and Mantle
These are even more simple than the GF clocks above. Take the hands off as described above, remove the pendulum and the dial. Now you are left with only the movement which is mounted to the wood case. Remove the four screws, or nuts, that hold it in place and your done.
Mechanical Clock - Movement Removal Conclusion
Removal of the clock movement is fast and easy. Now that you have the movement outside of the clock case, you can swap it out for the new one. It can also be sent in for cleaning and restoration. Installation is, of course, in the reverse of the Mechanical Clock - Removing Movement text.
Sending A Clock for Repair
Sending A Clock for Repair is easy because we here at clockworks.com need the movement alone. We get clock repairs shipped to us from all over USA and Canada. There is never a problem doing this as long as the movements are double boxed and well protected. Here are some guidelines on how to ship the movement and also what to expect.
Packing The Movement
Undoubtedly, the safest way to pack the movement is to box it up nice and tight with the handshaft facing up. This is very important! Make sure the movement cannot bounce around inside the box. The next step is to pack that box inside another box. If you send it like this, there will be no problem getting it to us. It does not even have to be put together. You can send us a bag of parts and the movement plates. It does not matter as long as it's all there. Don't laugh, we have had this happen many times! We know how to put it back together, so don't worry.
Protect the clock hand shaft
When packing up the movement, take special care to protect the hand shaft as this is hard to correct if it gets bent. This is the shaft that the hands go on to tell the time. You should pack the movement up well with newspaper and bubble wrap. If you are using packing peanuts make sure to put the movement inside a plastic bag first! Please do not let the movement get peanuts all up inside of it.
Again, when placing the movement inside the box make sure you place it in with the hand shaft pointing up. Once you have the movement packed really well in a box, pack it again in another box with more packing material. The movement should not be able to bounce around inside the first box. Double boxing provides extra cushion for the movement as it travels to minimize the possibility of damage.
Sending the movement for repair by UPS
If you have a UPS account, or have access to ship it via UPS, just send it along after you fill out the form. If it is a problem getting it shipped out, let us know the weight and dimensions of the box and we can email you a UPS label for a low price. Shipping centers are unreasonably expensive when it comes to packing and shipping something for you. If you box it up as described and ship it to us with the label we give you, it will be substantially less cost than a place like Mailboxes, etc to pack and ship. Please email us at clockworks@test.clockworks.com with the weight and dimensions of the box if this sounds better for you. Of course, you can go priority mail as well, if you so choose.
After you have the movement packed up, please send it to: CLOCKWORKS 124 Goss Hill Rd, PO Box 339, Huntington, MA 01050. If you fill out the following form, we will get notification that your clock is coming. You will receive an email confirmation of your form submission.
- Clockworks
- PO Box 339
- 124 Goss Hill Rd
- Huntington MA 01050
- 800-381-7458
- clockworks@test.clockworks.com
Step one - Cleaning and Oiling
First we unpack the movement and notify the customer that we are in receipt of it with no shipping damage. Then a thorough cleaning is done with the use of 3 ultrasonic cleaning machines. To clarify, the first and second ultrasonic tanks have clock cleaning solution in them. The idea is to run it through a second time with an even cleaner solution. This cleaning solution is Formula 67 by Zenith. Furthermore, it does not smell and does the best job.
Then the third tank is the rinse which consists of Zenith brand Drizebright. Next, the movement takes a dip in denatured alcohol for an even finer rinse. There is no use of water in this process. After all this, it gets hit with the air hose to be sure there is nothing wet left in the springs or pivot holes.
After the Cleaning
Now that it is clean, the next step is to look at the condition of the clock movement and determine what work needs to be done. Meanwhile, the movement is still intact at this point of the restoration. Now, the customer needs to make a decision. We can stop at this point, oil it and send it right back. The movement has had the best possible cleaning and oiling for only $150. But, there is no guarantee that a cleaning is all that the movement needs. It is quite possible that even with a thorough cleaning and oiling that the movement will not run. However, if a cleaning is all that a customer requests then that is what we will do along with oiling it. Clockworks does guarantee that the movement will have the best and most thorough cleaning possible without disassembling the movement.
Step Two - Inspection and Quoting
The next step that we take is to inspect the movement with magnification for evidence of wear. Usually things such as new mainsprings and bushings on worn pivots need to be done. This is a general assessment because the movement still has not been taken apart. At this point, Clockworks contacts the customer and provides them with the initial findings and provides a reasonable quote for the work that needs to be done. So, if we do not have the go ahead from the customer then the movement is sent back with just the cleaning and oiling. However, if the customer agrees with the quote and gives us the green light to continue, then we can now really get into it.
Step Three - Disassembly and Restoration
When the mainsprings are stuck in the set position, new ones will be put in. Moreover, if a mainspring is made in the world today, we have that size right here in stock. Now the next thing we scrutinize is if the clock needs bushings and if so, how many. Clockworks uses the KWM bushing system however the sizes do not always jive with what the clock actually needs.
Often the bushings are made from brass stock on the Sherline lathe if it is a strange size such as a hand arbor or winding arbor bushing. However, if wheel work or parts need to be made our clockmakers will figure it out and get it done. It is not uncommon to take an antique part from one of the 1000's we have and modify it to fit the application.
Please tell us about yourself and the clock :
Please fill out the form below to let us know about the clock movement that is being sent in. A confirmation email will be sent when the movement comes in. Usually we do not need any movement components such as pendulums or weights as these are items that are always in stock in the warehouse. However, if you feel we need other parts, please select them in the check boxes so we can anticipate what will be coming. Also, it serves as a record for the customer to know what was in the box as well as for us to know what needs to be sent back when the restoration is complete.
A fee of $150 is to be sent with the movement, or alternately pay with a credit card below. This fee includes cleaning and inspection. After the inspection, we will contact you with the status of the movement and make recommendations at that point on other work that may be necessary.
