Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Courtney Louise · 29th Aug 2010, 2:26 pm

Picked this up from Oasis in Birmingham from the Birmingham University stall for the grand sum of £5. It was looking rather worse for wear, very dirty, freyed mains lead, old 2 pin round plug and broken glass :-(

I stripped the whole thing down, polisged the chrome, the dial glass, the broken glass was washed gently, mains cable replaced and tested.

It runs very well, dead silent and keeps great time as you would expect.

I would love to replace the gall on it but I dont think thats an option as its etched and coloured green/blue. So I am happy with it how it is for now...

Andi

threeseven · 29th Aug 2010, 2:56 pm

Nice one !
Whats Oasis in Birmingham ?

Courtney Louise · 29th Aug 2010, 3:21 pm

Oasis is a clothing and alternative store like an in-shops only better. Lots of vintage clothing, jewellery, retro games consoles, etc...

Its at the top of Corporation Street next door to Next Clearance outlet

Andi

threeseven · 29th Aug 2010, 3:31 pm

Thanks, I'll check it out next time I'm in town.

ianm · 29th Aug 2010, 3:50 pm

Hi Andi,

A great find and fabulously art deco! You got a bargain there, well done.

Paul LS · 29th Aug 2010, 7:36 pm

Yes, that is a great looking clock. I have been looking around for one from the same period... I think it would really compliment my 1930 radios.

I just hope I can find something as good looking as your Smith Sectric clock.

Regards,
Paul.

Mike Phelan · 30th Aug 2010, 8:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarl Ayari

I would love to replace the gall on it

Gall?

Well done, Andi!

One thing to beware of when buying synchronous clocks is that many have OC stator windings as a result of 47SWG wire standing in unheated garages and outhouses for years.

Barrie Smith's site here may be of use, if you haven't already discovered it.

GJR 11L · 13th Sep 2010, 10:32 pm

Lovely clock there, good to read about this as I have a few synchronous timepieces myself now, all Smith Sectrics, a fact that's almost entirely the fault of a certain Mr Phelan**, who reignited my fascination with such things a year or three ago.

**-Mike, the walnut Bakelite one still keeps perfect time and the bright green alarm clock no longer makes its trademark funny noises. I'm learning you see, and all thanks to your enthusiasm being so catching!

Darren-UK · 14th Sep 2010, 12:08 am

The clock is the 'Lancing' model and dates from 1938. On the face it bears the earlier (and correct for its date) "SMITH SECTRIC" trademark which later became "SMITHS SECTRIC".

Smiths prewar clocks remain common, generally speaking, but this is now one of the rarer models so well done in finding it.

Courtney Louise · 14th Sep 2010, 7:15 am

Thanks Guys,

What should I do about the glass? I can get a piece cut but I cant get the etching done as it was light green originally

Andi

Darren-UK · 14th Sep 2010, 4:41 pm

Is there not some kind of glue obtainable which supposedly repairs cracked glass to the point where the repair is almost invisible?

Brian R Pateman · 14th Sep 2010, 5:23 pm

Loctite glass bond, see here.

I haven't tried it on a clock glass though, but it might be worth a go.

Courtney Louise · 15th Sep 2010, 7:09 am

And thats not expensive either really, if for nothing else than stopping the glass pieces moving and grinding against themselves when I move the clock..

Andi

mark pirate · 15th Sep 2010, 8:31 am

Well done on a nice find

Quote:

I just hope I can find something as good looking as your Smith Sectric clock.

I recently picked up a metamec clock, probably late 30's for £3!
It works perfectly & looks great on top of my 30's pye

Mark

Darren-UK · 15th Sep 2010, 11:39 am

That was Metamec's first clock and it came in both mechanical and synchronous forms. It is model 701 I think, 700 and something anyway. It's postwar, 1950-ish. Metamec didn't exist until then.

McMurdo · 15th Sep 2010, 9:04 pm

Some Smiths Electric clocks here from a catalogue of 1937.

chipp1968 · 17th Sep 2010, 8:38 am

What a shame that is broken.Presumably the glass is one piece etched or painted behind? Its possible to have two pieced laminated witha green tinged film between which resembled etched glass .Also there are glass paints

Courtney Louise · 17th Sep 2010, 12:28 pm

Yes, it was one piece etched with a light green infill :-(

Andi

29th Aug 2010, 2:26 pm	#1
Courtney Louise Octode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Welshpool, Powys, Wales Posts: 1,327	Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Picked this up from Oasis in Birmingham from the Birmingham University stall for the grand sum of £5. It was looking rather worse for wear, very dirty, freyed mains lead, old 2 pin round plug and broken glass :-( I stripped the whole thing down, polisged the chrome, the dial glass, the broken glass was washed gently, mains cable replaced and tested. It runs very well, dead silent and keeps great time as you would expect. I would love to replace the gall on it but I dont think thats an option as its etched and coloured green/blue. So I am happy with it how it is for now... Andi Attached Thumbnails __________________ *33, 45, 78, around and around they go...*

29th Aug 2010, 2:56 pm	#2
threeseven Octode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 1,880	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Nice one ! Whats Oasis in Birmingham ?

29th Aug 2010, 3:21 pm	#3
Courtney Louise Octode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Welshpool, Powys, Wales Posts: 1,327	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Oasis is a clothing and alternative store like an in-shops only better. Lots of vintage clothing, jewellery, retro games consoles, etc... Its at the top of Corporation Street next door to Next Clearance outlet Andi __________________ *33, 45, 78, around and around they go...*

29th Aug 2010, 3:31 pm	#4
threeseven Octode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 1,880	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Thanks, I'll check it out next time I'm in town.

29th Aug 2010, 3:50 pm	#5
ianm Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 341	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Hi Andi, A great find and fabulously art deco! You got a bargain there, well done. __________________ Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member

29th Aug 2010, 7:36 pm	#6
Paul LS Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 196	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Yes, that is a great looking clock. I have been looking around for one from the same period... I think it would really compliment my 1930 radios. I just hope I can find something as good looking as your Smith Sectric clock. Regards, Paul.

13th Sep 2010, 10:32 pm	#8
GJR 11L Heptode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ellington, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 815	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Lovely clock there, good to read about this as I have a few synchronous timepieces myself now, all Smith Sectrics, a fact that's almost entirely the fault of a certain Mr Phelan, who reignited my fascination with such things a year or three ago. -Mike, the walnut Bakelite one still keeps perfect time and the bright green alarm clock no longer makes its trademark funny noises. I'm learning you see, and all thanks to your enthusiasm being so catching! __________________ John.

14th Sep 2010, 12:08 am	#9
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock The clock is the 'Lancing' model and dates from 1938. On the face it bears the earlier (and correct for its date) "SMITH SECTRIC" trademark which later became "SMITHS SECTRIC". Smiths prewar clocks remain common, generally speaking, but this is now one of the rarer models so well done in finding it.

14th Sep 2010, 7:15 am	#10
Courtney Louise Octode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Welshpool, Powys, Wales Posts: 1,327	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Thanks Guys, What should I do about the glass? I can get a piece cut but I cant get the etching done as it was light green originally Andi __________________ *33, 45, 78, around and around they go...*

14th Sep 2010, 4:41 pm	#11
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Is there not some kind of glue obtainable which supposedly repairs cracked glass to the point where the repair is almost invisible?

14th Sep 2010, 5:23 pm	#12
Brian R Pateman Nonode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK Posts: 2,136	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Loctite glass bond, see here. I haven't tried it on a clock glass though, but it might be worth a go. __________________ Brian

15th Sep 2010, 7:09 am	#13
Courtney Louise Octode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Welshpool, Powys, Wales Posts: 1,327	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock And thats not expensive either really, if for nothing else than stopping the glass pieces moving and grinding against themselves when I move the clock.. Andi __________________ *33, 45, 78, around and around they go...*

15th Sep 2010, 11:39 am	#15
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock That was Metamec's first clock and it came in both mechanical and synchronous forms. It is model 701 I think, 700 and something anyway. It's postwar, 1950-ish. Metamec didn't exist until then.

15th Sep 2010, 9:04 pm	#16
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,271	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Some Smiths Electric clocks here from a catalogue of 1937. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Kevin

17th Sep 2010, 8:38 am	#17
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock What a shame that is broken.Presumably the glass is one piece etched or painted behind? Its possible to have two pieced laminated witha green tinged film between which resembled etched glass .Also there are glass paints

17th Sep 2010, 12:28 pm	#18
Courtney Louise Octode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Welshpool, Powys, Wales Posts: 1,327	Re: Late 1930's Smith Sectric Clock Yes, it was one piece etched with a light green infill :-( Andi __________________ *33, 45, 78, around and around they go...*