Anyone had any experience of SYNCLOCK clocks? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Nickthedentist · 18th Jun 2014, 4:47 pm

Hi everyone,

I've just picked up this rather tatty "Synclock" electric chiming clock made by Everett Edgcumbe of London. Presumed early 1930s.

I've read about their products in books but this is the first I've seen in the flesh, which suggests to me that not that many have survived compared with similar offerings from, say, SEC (Smiths), Ferranti, and Temco etc.

Their unusual feature is the motor which runs very fast (compared with later synchronous clocks) and has a sealed reduction gearbox which is apparently oil-filled. It looks like mine's been hacked-into at some point in its life.

Not sure if it works (although the seller assured me it did).

All comments welcome.

Nick.

Nickthedentist · 18th Jun 2014, 7:52 pm

Having read-up a bit, I've found out that the generic term for this style of motor is the Warren motor, and that they were sold under the Telechron brand in the States.

This led me to this site, which shows pics of one disassembled and being serviced:
http://www.revereclock.com/rotorrepair.html

And a useful section on dismantling:
http://clockhistory.com/telechron/products/typeb/

Nick.

Nickthedentist · 20th Jun 2014, 11:30 am

Sorry to keep replying to my own thread, but I've discovered a very useful tutorial about re-furbishing the "rotor" (i.e. sealed rotor/gearbox assembly) here: http://www.nawcc-index.net/Articles/...y-IntheCan.pdf

And some info about lubrication here: http://mb.nawcc.org/archive/index.php/t-3399.html

I hope this proves useful to other members of the forum coming across a Synclock movement in the future.

Nick

AC/HL · 20th Jun 2014, 2:52 pm

Without wanting to labour a point, the relevant title of this thread ensures that it is searchable to anyone who wants to find it in the future.
Too many threads with vague or irrelevant titles will disappear, never to be seen again.

Nickthedentist · 20th Jun 2014, 8:00 pm

Thanks, Bill, that was my intention.

I will keep everyone informed of any progress. But first impressions are I've bitten off more than I can chew, not least because someone heavy-handed has been in there first.

Nick.

Nickthedentist · 26th Apr 2016, 7:48 am

See also Frank's trick: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=125873

18th Jun 2014, 4:47 pm	#1
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,866	Anyone had any experience of SYNCLOCK clocks? Hi everyone, I've just picked up this rather tatty "Synclock" electric chiming clock made by Everett Edgcumbe of London. Presumed early 1930s. I've read about their products in books but this is the first I've seen in the flesh, which suggests to me that not that many have survived compared with similar offerings from, say, SEC (Smiths), Ferranti, and Temco etc. Their unusual feature is the motor which runs very fast (compared with later synchronous clocks) and has a sealed reduction gearbox which is apparently oil-filled. It looks like mine's been hacked-into at some point in its life. Not sure if it works (although the seller assured me it did). All comments welcome. Nick. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Nickthedentist; 18th Jun 2014 at 4:58 pm.

18th Jun 2014, 7:52 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,866	Re: Anyone had any experience of SYNCLOCK clocks? Having read-up a bit, I've found out that the generic term for this style of motor is the Warren motor, and that they were sold under the Telechron brand in the States. This led me to this site, which shows pics of one disassembled and being serviced: http://www.revereclock.com/rotorrepair.html And a useful section on dismantling: http://clockhistory.com/telechron/products/typeb/ Nick. Last edited by Nickthedentist; 18th Jun 2014 at 8:03 pm.

20th Jun 2014, 11:30 am	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,866	Re: Anyone had any experience of SYNCLOCK clocks? Sorry to keep replying to my own thread, but I've discovered a very useful tutorial about re-furbishing the "rotor" (i.e. sealed rotor/gearbox assembly) here: http://www.nawcc-index.net/Articles/...y-IntheCan.pdf And some info about lubrication here: http://mb.nawcc.org/archive/index.php/t-3399.html I hope this proves useful to other members of the forum coming across a Synclock movement in the future. Nick Last edited by Nickthedentist; 20th Jun 2014 at 11:48 am.

20th Jun 2014, 2:52 pm	#4
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,643	Re: Anyone had any experience of SYNCLOCK clocks? Without wanting to labour a point, the relevant title of this thread ensures that it is searchable to anyone who wants to find it in the future. Too many threads with vague or irrelevant titles will disappear, never to be seen again.

20th Jun 2014, 8:00 pm	#5
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,866	Re: Anyone had any experience of SYNCLOCK clocks? Thanks, Bill, that was my intention. I will keep everyone informed of any progress. But first impressions are I've bitten off more than I can chew, not least because someone heavy-handed has been in there first. Nick.

26th Apr 2016, 7:48 am	#6
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,866	Re: Anyone had any experience of SYNCLOCK clocks? See also Frank's trick: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=125873