Smiths Synchronous Clock (Spring question) - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mike Phelan · 3rd Aug 2016, 8:08 am

Hi Ian,

The red grease might have been originally red oil - I used to have some clock oil that was red (cannot remember its make).

You need a small amount of oil, just a smear, on the ends of the spring which is on the centre arbor. It needs to be the smallest amount.
It's possible that something might be partially seized here but unless it becomes a problem I'd leave it.

ianm · 8th Aug 2016, 12:28 pm

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for the info.

I'm now working towards restoring another Smiths wall clock from the mid 1903s, which has some unusual aspects to the work required. I'll write about that in a new thread soon.

Mike Phelan · 8th Aug 2016, 4:23 pm

You're welcome, Ian.

BTW, don't you mean 1930s?

ianm · 9th Aug 2016, 7:50 am

Oops, yes!

ianm · 10th Aug 2016, 6:22 pm

Restoration now complete and here are a couple of pictures. Thanks again to Mike for his advice.

It's now a matter of regret that I didn't take any 'before' pictures. This clock was in quite a bad way when I found it at an autojumble several years ago, sitting in wet grass under a trader's stall. The glass was long gone, which had made the painted dial vulnerable and the whole thing was covered in years of dirt.

Starting on the next one now.

Nickthedentist · 10th Aug 2016, 6:32 pm

Incredible work, Ian, it looks brand new.

I notice that unlike most, your case moulding seems to have been made with a lip and tapped(?) pillars to accommodate a back panel. Maybe this was an option if the clock needed some weather resistance?

Also, my spring-driven one is "Made in Great Britian", which might mean it was made at their factory in Ystradgynlais (opened 1947): http://history.powys.org.uk/history/ystrad/anglo1.html

I have 3 of these, albeit with slightly different movements. Two have the later (>1937) "Bijou" synchronous movement and were rescued from the kitchens in part of the Birmingham General Hospital days before it was demolished about 20 years ago. The other has a spring-driven movement with a platform escapement, as used in pre-war Smiths car clocks, and came from a skip at my school about 30 years ago when the physics workshop were having a clearout. Sadly, the magnificent 24" giant which graced the Great Hall got away before I could save it.

3rd Aug 2016, 8:08 am	#21
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Smiths Synchronous Clock (Spring question) Hi Ian, The red grease might have been originally red oil - I used to have some clock oil that was red (cannot remember its make). You need a small amount of oil, just a smear, on the ends of the spring which is on the centre arbor. It needs to be the smallest amount. It's possible that something might be partially seized here but unless it becomes a problem I'd leave it. __________________ Mike.

8th Aug 2016, 12:28 pm	#22
ianm Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 341	Re: Smiths Synchronous Clock (Spring question) Hi Mike, Many thanks for the info. I'm now working towards restoring another Smiths wall clock from the mid 1903s, which has some unusual aspects to the work required. I'll write about that in a new thread soon. __________________ Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member

8th Aug 2016, 4:23 pm	#23
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Smiths Synchronous Clock (Spring question) You're welcome, Ian. BTW, don't you mean 1930s? __________________ Mike.

9th Aug 2016, 7:50 am	#24
ianm Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 341	Re: Smiths Synchronous Clock (Spring question) Oops, yes! __________________ Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member

10th Aug 2016, 6:22 pm	#25
ianm Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 341	Re: Smiths Synchronous Clock (Spring question) Restoration now complete and here are a couple of pictures. Thanks again to Mike for his advice. It's now a matter of regret that I didn't take any 'before' pictures. This clock was in quite a bad way when I found it at an autojumble several years ago, sitting in wet grass under a trader's stall. The glass was long gone, which had made the painted dial vulnerable and the whole thing was covered in years of dirt. Starting on the next one now. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member

10th Aug 2016, 6:32 pm	#26
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	Re: Smiths Synchronous Clock (Spring question) Incredible work, Ian, it looks brand new. I notice that unlike most, your case moulding seems to have been made with a lip and tapped(?) pillars to accommodate a back panel. Maybe this was an option if the clock needed some weather resistance? Also, my spring-driven one is "Made in Great Britian", which might mean it was made at their factory in Ystradgynlais (opened 1947): http://history.powys.org.uk/history/ystrad/anglo1.html I have 3 of these, albeit with slightly different movements. Two have the later (>1937) "Bijou" synchronous movement and were rescued from the kitchens in part of the Birmingham General Hospital days before it was demolished about 20 years ago. The other has a spring-driven movement with a platform escapement, as used in pre-war Smiths car clocks, and came from a skip at my school about 30 years ago when the physics workshop were having a clearout. Sadly, the magnificent 24" giant which graced the Great Hall got away before I could save it. Last edited by Nickthedentist; 10th Aug 2016 at 6:42 pm.