Dash Clock Guru Questions

[namdc3]

Specifically for rim wind, finger set dash clocks, are there any gotchas or best practices? For example, only set the time using finger against the minute hand with light pressure in a clockwise direction? Okay to turn counterclockwise? Okay to set the time while the clock is running, or should the escapement be stopped? How often does the movement need to be cleaned and/or lubricated (no jewels, only brass pivot holes)? Thanks!

[jiminbartow]

Like any watch, the most important gotcha is not to overwind it. Stop winding when you start feeling a little resistance. Don’t wind until it forces you to stop winding because you can’t wind it any more. To do so could break the spring. You do not have to wait until the clock stops to set the time. You can set the time while it is running. The hands on windup pendulum clocks made before 1940 are usually not supposed to be moved backwards especially if they chime or have certain complications such as a calendar hand. On an antique pendulum clock I set the time by moving the hands forward, or I stop the pendulum and re-start it when the time catches up with the time shown on the dial.

I would consider a dash clock with an escapement wheel, more like a large watch and on a watch, the hands can be turned forward or backwards, so I would say it would be okay to turn the minute hand forward or backward, but do not move the hour hand. When you turn the minute hand backward, if you feel the least bit of resistance, or feel it catch, stop and set the time by moving the hands forward. If you feel no resistance when moving the hands backwards, it should be okay, but use your judgement. It is not such an inconvenience to move the hands forward to set the time if there is a chance it could hurt the clock. You can lubricate it yourself with “Moebius” fine watch oil (made only for watches), available from clock supply places like “Timesavers” (www.timesavers.com), or you can take it to a jewelry shop that services watches and have them service and lubricate it for a small charge. They usually have a dust free area where they service the watches so that might your best bet if you have had no experience with watches or time pieces. They can advise you on how often to lubricate it, but I have had clocks that have run for years before needing lubrication. Jim Patrick

[Colin Mavins]

As a rule I always turn my clock hands forward minute hand only, Mine is a 1910 brass rim wind I give it 4 turns of the rim which gives me 5 days. After 50 years in the car it started to slow down ,We would only get 2 days out of a wind, so I opened it up and it is a very simple clock . Oil with clock oil which I use on my Cuckoo clocks. It now runs a full eights days on a full wind and keeps perfect time.

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[namdc3]

Thank you to all. I agree that these are built more like an oversized watch than a clock. Thank you for the detailed responses and answering all my questions.

[jiminbartow]

Thanks to Colin’s superb pictures of the open movement of his clock, I now see how open the movement is. With easy access to all the gear pinions, instead being closed and having inaccessible interior gears like a watch, it would be very easy to apply one drop of clock oil to each pinion with a needle applicator. You would need to buy an applicator and a small bottle of the oil and pour the oil into the applicator to apply. Jim Patrick

[Mopar_man]

When you oil the clock pivots be careful to to put too much oil. A lot of oil will attract dirt. The best way is to get a piece of wire. Flatten the tip of the wire with a hammer. then put a drop of oil on a piece of cardboard, dip the flat end into the oil and just touch it to the pivot points. This will allow the capillary effect to draw in the oil around the the pivot without putting too much. Most applicators that come with the oil (even the ones that look like a needle) put out too much.

[namdc3]

Thanks! All good advice. I have light synthetic clock oil I use on other clocks. As they say, a little dab ‘l do!