'your Bush dealer' Clock - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

mike_macd · 3rd Jan 2018, 8:22 pm

Does anyone know when these Bush dealer clocks were introduced? The reduction gear train driving the hour and minute hand shaft spindles is driven by a small, mains frequency synchronous motor. This one needed some tidying up to get it into its current state.

ianm · 3rd Jan 2018, 8:37 pm

Assuming the movement to be original, it's a Smiths QEMG type, introduced in 1957. It was followed by the comparatively poor QGEM in 1963, hence likely to have been produced between those dates.

Herald1360 · 3rd Jan 2018, 9:35 pm

Those input wires should be trapped clockwise under the binding screws so they don't "turn out" when the screw is tightened. They shouldn't be solder tinned, either.

(Climbs off soapbox......)

Nice clock, by the way.

mike_macd · 3rd Jan 2018, 10:30 pm

Ian, thanks for your speedy reply. The outer Paxolin plate includes the identifier QEMG, which I hadn't recognised as a Smith's movement type.
Thank you once again.
Mike

mike_macd · 3rd Jan 2018, 10:39 pm

'They shouldn't be solder tinned, either.'

I appreciate the point about the 'turn out' issue on the conductors. Does the solder-tinning of the ends cause connection problems?
Thanks.

60 oldjohn · 3rd Jan 2018, 11:59 pm

I think the problem with solder tined ends is "Cold Flow" ie the solder migrating away from pressure resulting in the joint becoming less tight.

John.

kalee20 · 4th Jan 2018, 12:38 am

It does exactly that. You think you've got a nice tight connection, and a matter of a few weeks later, everything is slack.

I also like the clock face! You've tidied it up? You've now got a treasure!

bobsterkent · 4th Jan 2018, 8:32 am

Its wonderful!

barrymagrec · 4th Jan 2018, 9:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60 oldjohn

I think the problem with solder tined ends is "Cold Flow" ie the solder migrating away from pressure resulting in the joint becoming less tight.

In addition it creates a weak point at the end of the tinning where any flexing becomes concentrated.

Nickthedentist · 4th Jan 2018, 9:59 am

Very nice.

What is the face made of? Is it designed to be backlit?

Nick.

Wendymott · 4th Jan 2018, 11:26 am

Was it a "Standard" issue if you were a Bush Dealer.... our shop had one and we were.
Ron Smiths Leeds Road Ilkley.

mike_macd · 4th Jan 2018, 9:43 pm

Thank you all for your helpful comments, particularly points re 'cold flow' and weakness at the interface between the tinned end and conductor stranding. I need to re-check those conductor ends I've previously tinned!
The clock face is made from a clear plastic sheet with the graphics applied to the back. I cleaned the clock face with Millwax, a pinball playfield wax which incorporates a super fine cutting compound, enough to remove surface embellishments without causing damage to the clear face. The graphics are as found and appear robust. The reduction gearing had to be stripped, carefully cleaned and reassembled with cautious use of a high grade sewing machine oil. The two hands were a little bent around the centre spindle when I picked up the clock but as they are made from a relatively malleable alloy, they straightened out without mishap. I undercoated and top-coated the hands using an automotive matt black paint.
The clock is not designed to be backlit.
Best Regards.
Mike

3rd Jan 2018, 8:37 pm	#2
ianm Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 341	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock Assuming the movement to be original, it's a Smiths QEMG type, introduced in 1957. It was followed by the comparatively poor QGEM in 1963, hence likely to have been produced between those dates. __________________ Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member

3rd Jan 2018, 9:35 pm	#3
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock Those input wires should be trapped clockwise under the binding screws so they don't "turn out" when the screw is tightened. They shouldn't be solder tinned, either. (Climbs off soapbox......) Nice clock, by the way. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

3rd Jan 2018, 10:30 pm	#4
mike_macd Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: aberdeenshire, UK. Posts: 21	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock Ian, thanks for your speedy reply. The outer Paxolin plate includes the identifier QEMG, which I hadn't recognised as a Smith's movement type. Thank you once again. Mike

3rd Jan 2018, 10:39 pm	#5
mike_macd Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: aberdeenshire, UK. Posts: 21	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock 'They shouldn't be solder tinned, either.' I appreciate the point about the 'turn out' issue on the conductors. Does the solder-tinning of the ends cause connection problems? Thanks.

3rd Jan 2018, 11:59 pm	#6
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,985	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock I think the problem with solder tined ends is "Cold Flow" ie the solder migrating away from pressure resulting in the joint becoming less tight. John.

4th Jan 2018, 12:38 am	#7
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,077	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock It does exactly that. You think you've got a nice tight connection, and a matter of a few weeks later, everything is slack. I also like the clock face! You've tidied it up? You've now got a treasure!

4th Jan 2018, 8:32 am	#8
bobsterkent Hexode Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Medway towns, Kent, UK. Posts: 271	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock Its wonderful! __________________ "Oh yes I love television, all those wiggly lines"!

4th Jan 2018, 9:59 am	#10
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,841	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock Very nice. What is the face made of? Is it designed to be backlit? Nick.

4th Jan 2018, 11:26 am	#11
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock Was it a "Standard" issue if you were a Bush Dealer.... our shop had one and we were. Ron Smiths Leeds Road Ilkley. __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

4th Jan 2018, 9:43 pm	#12
mike_macd Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: aberdeenshire, UK. Posts: 21	Re: 'your Bush dealer' Clock Thank you all for your helpful comments, particularly points re 'cold flow' and weakness at the interface between the tinned end and conductor stranding. I need to re-check those conductor ends I've previously tinned! The clock face is made from a clear plastic sheet with the graphics applied to the back. I cleaned the clock face with Millwax, a pinball playfield wax which incorporates a super fine cutting compound, enough to remove surface embellishments without causing damage to the clear face. The graphics are as found and appear robust. The reduction gearing had to be stripped, carefully cleaned and reassembled with cautious use of a high grade sewing machine oil. The two hands were a little bent around the centre spindle when I picked up the clock but as they are made from a relatively malleable alloy, they straightened out without mishap. I undercoated and top-coated the hands using an automotive matt black paint. The clock is not designed to be backlit. Best Regards. Mike