Some useful practical articles

Renovating clock pulleys
by Dennis Haynes, UK.
"While browsing idly through Ebay one day I came across a box of longcase pulleys offered for auction, figure 1. Spare pulleys are often useful so I decided on a speculative punt and to my surprise and delight ..." more

Making a grandfather clock case
by Clive Pickering, Australia.
"This story began with an evening phone call from a well-respected clock restorer in Sydney. He was enquiring if I was still interested in building cases for clocks ..." more

The making of a tipsy key
by John Wilding, UK.
"A tipsy key is one that will only wind in one direction. It is used on quality clocks and chronometers..." more

Replacing calendar wheels in longcase clocks
by Dennis Haynes, UK.
"I wonder if restorers who handle brass-dial longcase clock movements are as amazed as I am by how many are missing their calendar-drive 24-hour wheels..." more

Restoring the case of a black marble clock
by Ian Beilby, UK.
"The photographs in figures 1 and 2 show what remained of a clock which was described by a dealer friend of mine as 'just what I was looking for'. Well, there was some truth in that..." more

Replacing missing teeth on clock wheels
by Alf Wilford, Australia.
"Believe it or not, the owner of the carriage clock shown in figure 1 bought it for five dollars ... When I dismantled the clock I found that the intermediate wheel was missing two adjacent teeth..." more

Making and repairing clock dials
by Brian Barkworth, Australia.
"English dial clocks invariably have large dials so the condition of the dial, being the face of the clock, is even more important than usual ..." more Repairing a clock dial pillar
by Ian Beilby, UK.
"Taper pins provide a quick and reliable means of holding together clock plates and dials ... You can, however, have difficulties with them..." more

Making clock spring barrels
by David Creed, UK.
"For the past few months I have been making my own clock barrels. This came about as a result of being frustrated by the limited stocks available at the suppliers. The process is not as hard as people may think..." more

Splicing a clock rope
by Geoff Levy, UK.
"Most of us are somewhat daunted by the sight of a broken or unusable 30-hour clock rope and tend to reach for the catalogue of chain conversion kits..." more

Repivoting without special tools
by Gavin Leach, UK.
"A lot has been written about the technicalities and problems of renewing damaged privots on clock arbors - to the point that the average new started to horology tends to avoid the subject entirely..." more

Some interesting antiquarian articles

Positively cuckoo
by Brian Barkworth, Australia.
"I like the idea of the cuckoo clock. I like the whole Black Forest story—the myths and legends that have grown up around it seem splendid to me. " more

How to date a grandfather clock
by Dennis Radage, Canada.
"There are usually two key questions that always seem to be asked when presented with an antique clock: when was my clock made? and what is my clock worth? There's actually a third question ..." more

The 400-day clock
by Mun Chor Weng, Singapore.
"Many collectors are curious about the origins of the term '400-day' clock. While we have yet to completely document the origin of the term, we have been able to uncover some interesting facts.' more

The artistry of the skeleton watch
by Douglas Caulkins, USA.
"Even when arranged with other timepieces, skeleton clocks and watches always draw attention. Instead of a handsome case ... the focus of a skeleton watch or clock is the intricate and artful piercing of the plates ...' more

English wall clocks of the 18th to 20th centuries
by Ian Beilby, UK.
"English wall clocks have evolved over a period of nearly 300 years. Their appeal and longevity is without doubt due to their visual accessibility and their excellent timekeeping qualities." more

The truth about Barlow
by John Robey, UK.
"One of the historical 'facts' that has been included in just about every horological book ... is that the Reverend Edward Barlow ... invented rack striking in 1676." more

Clock dial curiosities
by M F Tennant, UK.
"Although the majority of my work as a dial restorer is with painted dials, I have recorded some interesting brass dials or pieces thereof." more

The Ogdens: A complicated family
by Brian Loomes, UK.
"A lantern clock came to light recently, which was unsigned but clearly from the workshop of the Halifax Ogdens. This led me to look back at my earlier researches ..." more

French four-glass clocks
by Ian Beilby, UK.
"The majority of French four-glass clocks manufactured during the last quarter of the 19th century could not be simpler in design, and I am sure they were offered as a refined alternative to some of the more ornate ... French mantel clocks of the same period." more

Early clockmakers of Scotland
by John Hunter, UK.
"The origin of the mechanical clock is shrouded in the mists of antiquity ... We don't know when the first clock was set going in Scotland ..." more