Ingraham clock died

[dye]

I purchased a 1916 clock at a yard sale, $40 I think.

It looks like this, with slightly different woodwork:

http://tinyurl.com/ck7bfeo

There is a sticker on the back for a clock shop that closed in 1978.

It worked for quite a while, but a while back I tightened the main
spring too tight, perhaps.....it would not provide enough tension for
the pendulum to operate for more than 20 seconds.

I was able to provide reverse tension on the winding key, and with
the pendulum removed was able to speed up time. While doing this,
it seemed that the reverse tension I had to provide varied...from no
tension at certain times, with the pendulum hanger going clicka clicka
all on its own, but then would slow down unless I started adding
tension again.

Finally it got to the point where it went on its own for half a day...
but then went back to requiring me providing tension.

Is cleaning/lubricating something I could do myself, or should it
be left to a professional?

--Ken

[Simeon Lapinbleu]

Post by dye
I purchased a 1916 clock at a yard sale, $40 I think.
http://tinyurl.com/ck7bfeo
There is a sticker on the back for a clock shop that closed in 1978.
It worked for quite a while, but a while back I tightened the main
spring too tight, perhaps.....it would not provide enough tension for
the pendulum to operate for more than 20 seconds.
I was able to provide reverse tension on the winding key, and with
the pendulum removed was able to speed up time. While doing this,
it seemed that the reverse tension I had to provide varied...from no
tension at certain times, with the pendulum hanger going clicka clicka
all on its own, but then would slow down unless I started adding
tension again.
Finally it got to the point where it went on its own for half a day...
but then went back to requiring me providing tension.
Is cleaning/lubricating something I could do myself, or should it
be left to a professional?
--Ken
--
Ken R. Dye an optimist is a guy |
Chicago, Illinois that has never had |
http://dye.datsun510.com/index1.html much experience |
dye1146 at g mail dot com archy |

You have a great deal to learn: Over-winding does not exist, it just means you have the beast wound to the last and it still will not run. Filthy, dried oil, not level, could be one of many things. These clocks are built to go.

Reply here, or to me ***@gmail.com

Of course you can clean and lubricate it yourself, if not, why would we be here.

[dye]

Post by Simeon Lapinbleu

Post by dye
I purchased a 1916 clock at a yard sale, $40 I think.
http://tinyurl.com/ck7bfeo
There is a sticker on the back for a clock shop that closed in 1978.
It worked for quite a while, but a while back I tightened the main
spring too tight, perhaps.....it would not provide enough tension for
the pendulum to operate for more than 20 seconds.
I was able to provide reverse tension on the winding key, and with
the pendulum removed was able to speed up time. While doing this,
it seemed that the reverse tension I had to provide varied...from no
tension at certain times, with the pendulum hanger going clicka clicka
all on its own, but then would slow down unless I started adding
tension again.
Finally it got to the point where it went on its own for half a day...
but then went back to requiring me providing tension.
Is cleaning/lubricating something I could do myself, or should it
be left to a professional?
--Ken

You have a great deal to learn: Over-winding does not exist, it just
means you have the beast wound to the last and it still will not run.
Filthy, dried oil, not level, could be one of many things. These clocks
are built to go.
Of course you can clean and lubricate it yourself, if not, why would we be here.

Thanks! I did take it to a local shop, the repairman told me it would
be about $300 for an overhaul and re-bushing of it. He showed me the
bushing on the escapement, which indeed have quite a bit of play.
He liked the condition of the woodwork, and told me with the work to
get it running properly, it could be worth 500 or so.

I went through quite a few pages looking at hundreds of different types
of Ingraham clocks and dozens of them looked just like mine, with little
differences in the woodwork, so I doubt his 500 dollar estimate.

I took it home, put light oil on everything that looked like a bushing,
and that alone seems to have solved the problem. I am now adjusting
the pendelum to slow it down a tad.

--Ken

[Oregonian Haruspex]

Post by Simeon Lapinbleu

Post by dye
I purchased a 1916 clock at a yard sale, $40 I think.
http://tinyurl.com/ck7bfeo
There is a sticker on the back for a clock shop that closed in 1978.
It worked for quite a while, but a while back I tightened the main
spring too tight, perhaps.....it would not provide enough tension for
the pendulum to operate for more than 20 seconds.
I was able to provide reverse tension on the winding key, and with
the pendulum removed was able to speed up time. While doing this,
it seemed that the reverse tension I had to provide varied...from no
tension at certain times, with the pendulum hanger going clicka clicka
all on its own, but then would slow down unless I started adding
tension again.
Finally it got to the point where it went on its own for half a day...
but then went back to requiring me providing tension.
Is cleaning/lubricating something I could do myself, or should it
be left to a professional?
--Ken
--
Ken R. Dye an optimist is a guy |
Chicago, Illinois that has never had |
http://dye.datsun510.com/index1.html much experience |
dye1146 at g mail dot com archy |

You have a great deal to learn: Over-winding does not exist, it just
means you have the beast wound to the last and it still will not run.
Filthy, dried oil, not level, could be one of many things. These clocks
are built to go.
Of course you can clean and lubricate it yourself, if not, why would we be here.

It is quite possible to cause mechanical damage to a movement by over-winding.

[Jim Bianchi]

Post by Oregonian Haruspex
It is quite possible to cause mechanical damage to a movement by over-winding.

Right. But only if you try to wind the thing with a vise-grip and a
stout lever attached to the winding stem! In which case you'll break the end
of the mainspring loose from the barrel. I seriously doubt if the average
watch owner has the strength in their fingers to do that by hand. Like the
man said, overwinding (as a reason for a watch to stop) is largely a myth..

[Oregonian Haruspex]

Post by Jim Bianchi

Post by Oregonian Haruspex
It is quite possible to cause mechanical damage to a movement by over-winding.

Right. But only if you try to wind the thing with a vise-grip and a
stout lever attached to the winding stem! In which case you'll break the end
of the mainspring loose from the barrel. I seriously doubt if the average
watch owner has the strength in their fingers to do that by hand. Like the
man said, overwinding (as a reason for a watch to stop) is largely a myth..

I think that repeated overwinding by hand could accomplish, in time,
the same result. When I wind my pocketwatches I wind until it gets
stiff and then I stop. When I check the time I often give a couple
twists anyway, so it doesn't run down until I put it away.