Vintage Clocks

Frosted Cake · ‎02-01-2016

I have a vintage Seth Thomas Speed Read Wall Maid clock with a flipper number system that turns over with each minute. It's over 40 years old. It's worked just fine all this time, but tonight, it just stopped flipping.

I took it apart and dusted off all the gears, etc. But, it still won't work. It's electric and the lights inside come on, but it won't flip anymore.

Just wondered if anyone has one and knows how to fix it. I looked up online, but it doesn't give any info. I'm sure taking it to a clock co will be expensive. I was hoping it was just something I could tinker with.

AKgirl2 · ‎05-24-2016

@Frosted Cake wrote:
I have a vintage Seth Thomas Speed Read Wall Maid clock with a flipper number system that turns over with each minute. It's over 40 years old. It's worked just fine all this time, but tonight, it just stopped flipping.

I took it apart and dusted off all the gears, etc. But, it still won't work. It's electric and the lights inside come on, but it won't flip anymore.

Just wondered if anyone has one and knows how to fix it. I looked up online, but it doesn't give any info. I'm sure taking it to a clock co will be expensive. I was hoping it was just something I could tinker with.

I think it's a good idea to bring it into a clock repair shop (make sure they're reputable). They hopefully will have an experienced repair person, and the part(s) needed for the repair, and/or can order the part that's needed.

Frosted Cake · ‎02-01-2016

I can't afford a huge repair bill right now. It's not an expensive item, just has a lot of sentimental value for me.

I'll call around and see what they say. Thanks!

AKgirl2 · ‎05-24-2016

@Frosted Cake wrote:
I can't afford a huge repair bill right now. It's not an expensive item, just has a lot of sentimental value for me.

I'll call around and see what they say. Thanks!

Hopefully, It might not be an expensive repair, although I know clock repair can be pricey. Hope you get it working.

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

Can you see if the motor shaft is turning? If it is then the issue is likely a bad gear someplace. If you find a gear with a missing tooth you can sometimes rebuild the missing tooth using an epoxy adhesive. I like the epoxy putty the comes in a tube and you knead it to mix the two components. Make a little bead of it and stick it on where the tooth is missing. Let it cure, then using a fine file, shape it to the right profile. The epoxy will cure to a very hard, very strong surface and will typically work well. The shaping can get tedious, but it's doable.

My best guess would be a motor issue, likely involving lubrication. If you have a sewing machine oiler, or a similar device capable of applying oil in a pinpoint location, I'd put a few drops of oil on the motor shaft where the shaft comes out of the motor and see what happens. In all likelihood the oil will get quickly absorbed. I'd keep applying oil there and see if the motor doesn't start working again. Depending on how long the shaft was frozen and the electrical flow through the motor, it's possible the motor overheated enough to burn out and would need to be rewound. Most electric motors have an oil reservoir at both ends of the motor shaft. In many cases this is little more than an oil soaked sponge. Getting oil back into that sponge lubricates the shaft and all is right with the world. Oiling the end where the shaft emerges is usually pretty easy. The bearing on the sealed end can be more challenging to get at. I just did this to my little Honeywell bedroom fan and it's running like new again.

Good luck!

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

Twoaces · ‎05-02-2011

Totally off topic, sorry, but I am hoping for help, and garden,an, you have been helpful with so many things, so I am asking you or anyone who might read this. How do I post a new topic?? I guess I haven't done so since the forums changed last year and for the life of me, I can't figure it out!

my question relates to Western Bluebird baby birds and mom and dad living in a birdhouse against our house on a patio. I want to offer them water but don't want to disrupt and frighten the parents.

Can you tell me how,to initiate a new topic?? Thanks very much!

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

@Twoaces wrote:
Totally off topic, sorry, but I am hoping for help, and garden,an, you have been helpful with so many things, so I am asking you or anyone who might read this. How do I post a new topic?? I guess I haven't done so since the forums changed last year and for the life of me, I can't figure it out!
my question relates to Western Bluebird baby birds and mom and dad living in a birdhouse against our house on a patio. I want to offer them water but don't want to disrupt and frighten the parents.
Can you tell me how,to initiate a new topic?? Thanks very much!

@Twoaces Click on the "Garden" forum on the left. Then in red above the posts it will say "New Topics." Click on that and start your thread.

To answer your question, you can put out a bird bath, but don't put it within viewing distance of the bird house. Other birds would be able to discover the bird house and possibly disturb or even kill the parents/babies/eggs.

@Frosted Cake So sorry to disrupt your topic. I didn't want TwoAces to be stuck without an answer. Hopefully we can go back to your question about clocks now. I remember having a clock like that when I was growing up.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

Twoaces · ‎05-02-2011

Thank you very much.

And, I hope that the clock with so many interesting features is restored to good working order.

Frosted Cake · ‎02-01-2016

@gardenman wrote:
Can you see if the motor shaft is turning? If it is then the issue is likely a bad gear someplace. If you find a gear with a missing tooth you can sometimes rebuild the missing tooth using an epoxy adhesive. I like the epoxy putty the comes in a tube and you knead it to mix the two components. Make a little bead of it and stick it on where the tooth is missing. Let it cure, then using a fine file, shape it to the right profile. The epoxy will cure to a very hard, very strong surface and will typically work well. The shaping can get tedious, but it's doable.

My best guess would be a motor issue, likely involving lubrication. If you have a sewing machine oiler, or a similar device capable of applying oil in a pinpoint location, I'd put a few drops of oil on the motor shaft where the shaft comes out of the motor and see what happens. In all likelihood the oil will get quickly absorbed. I'd keep applying oil there and see if the motor doesn't start working again. Depending on how long the shaft was frozen and the electrical flow through the motor, it's possible the motor overheated enough to burn out and would need to be rewound. Most electric motors have an oil reservoir at both ends of the motor shaft. In many cases this is little more than an oil soaked sponge. Getting oil back into that sponge lubricates the shaft and all is right with the world. Oiling the end where the shaft emerges is usually pretty easy. The bearing on the sealed end can be more challenging to get at. I just did this to my little Honeywell bedroom fan and it's running like new again.

Good luck!

gardenman,

Thanks for the info. This a.m. I put some WD-40 on the gears. It started to work for a total of 3 flips (3 min) then it stopped. So, the motor is working. It's hard for me to see if any gears have a piece out of them. I am not going to take it all apart because I'll never get it back together. I think if it worked for 3 min, the motor is still working. I'll spray some more WD-40 inside and see what happens. I don't have any other lubricant.

Thanks.

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

There's a joke among handyman that anything can be fixed with either WD 40 or duct tape. If it should move and isn't, hit it with the WD 40 until it starts moving. If it shouldn't be moving but it is, keep applying duct tape until it stops moving.

I'm betting your WD 40 got the motor spinning again briefly. More WD 40 won't hurt.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!