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Post by shangas on Dec 1, 2014 5:32:07 GMT
Well I've spoken to the clockmaker.
He said that to restore the clock would be PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE (up to $400!!!!)
Screw that!!
Anyway, I did the cheap 'redneck fix'. I pulled the clock apart, cleaned up the insides, cleaned as much gunk off the movement as I could without disassembling it, lubricated it VERY sparingly with sewing-machine oil, and then put it back together.
Currently running an accuracy test to see how well it keeps time.
The clockmaker said that Westclox were very common and cheapish clocks. If it were something more prestigious, it might be worth fixing, but as it is, they were designed to be bought, used until they broke, and then thrown out.
Considering that this thing is SOLID BRASS, with glass and nickel-plating...that's quite a chunky, heavy, and overmachined piece of junk!!
Anyway, I've done the best I can, and now I'm checking the clock for timekeeping accuracy. I'm already noticing a marked improvement in operation - the clock ticks away quite merrily now. When I purchased it on Sunday morning, it barely ran at all! A good dusting, scraping off old oil and applying fresh lubricant seems to have done it a world of good.
Soon, we'll find out just how much good.
--- --- --- ---
Oh yes.
The clock is a Westclox Big Ben bell-back alarm-clock. Model 1A, from 1921.
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Post by snacky on Dec 1, 2014 5:38:50 GMT
Oh yes. The clock is a Westclox Big Ben bell-back alarm-clock. Model 1A, from 1921. Now you just need a Voyager's Omni. A real one - no TV prop fakes please.  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2014 1:33:20 GMT
Well I've spoken to the clockmaker. He said that to restore the clock would be PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE (up to $400!!!!)Screw that!! Anyway, I did the cheap 'redneck fix'. I pulled the clock apart, cleaned up the insides, cleaned as much gunk off the movement as I could without disassembling it, lubricated it VERY sparingly with sewing-machine oil, and then put it back together. Currently running an accuracy test to see how well it keeps time. The clockmaker said that Westclox were very common and cheapish clocks. If it were something more prestigious, it might be worth fixing, but as it is, they were designed to be bought, used until they broke, and then thrown out. Considering that this thing is SOLID BRASS, with glass and nickel-plating...that's quite a chunky, heavy, and overmachined piece of junk!! Anyway, I've done the best I can, and now I'm checking the clock for timekeeping accuracy. I'm already noticing a marked improvement in operation - the clock ticks away quite merrily now. When I purchased it on Sunday morning, it barely ran at all! A good dusting, scraping off old oil and applying fresh lubricant seems to have done it a world of good. Soon, we'll find out just how much good. --- --- --- --- Oh yes. The clock is a Westclox Big Ben bell-back alarm-clock. Model 1A, from 1921. There is definitely a need for people who know how to fix old things! So multi-talented. It is too bad that there are so few people even interested in doing this anymore. We are such a wasteful, throw away society. |
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Post by shangas on Dec 6, 2014 23:12:01 GMT
I don't think I've ever posted these here. These are my six pocketwatches:  Cute, aren't they? And also, since I deleted the old photos (because ugly), I'm uploading fresh photos of my grandmother's silver Straits Chinese belts:      These belts are worth more to me than anything else I own. Anyone caught stealing them will have their tongue ripped out, sliced up and fed back to them. |
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Post by snacky on Dec 6, 2014 23:22:35 GMT
I don't think I've ever posted these here. These are my six pocketwatches: Cute, aren't they? I like the one in the middle of the bottom row with the flowers/leaves around the center! Very art nouveau! |
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Post by shangas on Dec 6, 2014 23:31:22 GMT
I don't think it's AN, Snacky. Small dress-watches such as these were common in the 1920s and 30s. Watches of the AN period would've been much larger. It's more of an Art-Deco era watch. It's small and dressy to go with a man's outfit when he's going to a party or a formal function. But you're right, it is an absolute jewel!!
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Post by snacky on Dec 6, 2014 23:41:05 GMT
I don't think it's AN, Snacky. Small dress-watches such as these were common in the 1920s and 30s. Watches of the AN period would've been much larger. It's more of an Art-Deco era watch. It's small and dressy to go with a man's outfit when he's going to a party or a formal function. But you're right, it is an absolute jewel!! Haha, the man that wore that was certainly the metrosexual of his era!  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2014 23:10:00 GMT
I don't think I've ever posted these here. These are my six pocketwatches: Cute, aren't they? And also, since I deleted the old photos (because ugly), I'm uploading fresh photos of my grandmother's silver Straits Chinese belts: These belts are worth more to me than anything else I own. Anyone caught stealing them will have their tongue ripped out, sliced up and fed back to them. I like the same watch as Snacky. So intricately decorated, plus it is a bit smaller than the others. I will keep your threat in mind should I ever decide to try to steal one of the belts!!! |
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Post by shangas on Dec 14, 2014 2:11:38 GMT
YARRRR!!! AVAST, YE LANDLUBBERS AND PREPARE TO BE BOARDED!!   Found this cute brass, three-draw antique telescope today. Comes with extendable dew-shield at the end of the objective lens to protect against condensation. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2014 2:56:34 GMT
Can you see all the way to Canada with those, matey?
You have created a monster. I was looking at vintage pocket watches the other day......
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Post by shangas on Dec 14, 2014 3:45:58 GMT
Yes pocketwatches are addictive, aren't they??
The telescope is pretty powerful. It certainly works, that I know for sure. And it shines in the sunlight!!
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Post by snacky on Dec 14, 2014 6:04:48 GMT
YARRRR!!! AVAST, YE LANDLUBBERS AND PREPARE TO BE BOARDED!! Found this cute brass, three-draw antique telescope today. Comes with extendable dew-shield at the end of the objective lens to protect against condensation. You find the coolest things! Was this at an antique store? |
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Post by shangas on Dec 14, 2014 7:37:13 GMT
Local flea-market. The last market for the year (before they close up for Christmas etc. They won't reopen until early January).
I was searching for all kinds of things, and since this would be my last chance to see anything neat before the new year, I was giving the entire market a REALLY careful look-through.
I've been after a telescope (specifically, a brass telescope) for a long time. But they're not easy to find. And then they are, they're VERY expensive because they're like...antiques, y'know?
I mean yeah you CAN buy BRAND NEW brass telescopes, but with brand new telescopes come brand new retail prices. Eugh! Scary!!
The last time I saw a telescope like this was about two months ago, and by the time I'd made up my mind to buy it, some other guy had already paid and walked off with it!
Determined not to let that happen this time, when I saw this one at the market, I immediately started scrutinising it. I eventually decided it was worth buying, and paid for it.
Since buying it, I've pulled it apart completely (or as far as it will allow) and cleaned it as best as I can (it was clogged with dust and grit and sand and god knows what else!!).
I've found an engraving on the barrel which reads: "C Simon", who was presumably it's original owner back in whenever it was new.
I've also discovered what the sliding extension is on the front of the lens. It's a dew and glare shield. It's to stop sunlight from reflecting on the lens, and to protect the glass from condensation and moisture (and dew).
There would originally have been a turned, brass cap that went over the sliding shield, but that's long gone. Maybe one day I'll find one which I can put on, but until then...meh.
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Post by shangas on Dec 14, 2014 9:12:59 GMT
This is the telescope when I pulled it apart:  That small thing at the bottom is the lens-cap on the eyepiece. The cylinder on the right is the sliding shield and the objective lens and barrel. I was able to clean out lots of dust (LOTS. It poured out all over my desk when I opened it!!) and grime and clean the lenses, too. Here's me being artsy:  |
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Post by snacky on Dec 14, 2014 19:50:25 GMT
Local flea-market. The last market for the year (before they close up for Christmas etc. They won't reopen until early January). I was searching for all kinds of things, and since this would be my last chance to see anything neat before the new year, I was giving the entire market a REALLY careful look-through. I've been after a telescope (specifically, a brass telescope) for a long time. But they're not easy to find. And then they are, they're VERY expensive because they're like...antiques, y'know? I mean yeah you CAN buy BRAND NEW brass telescopes, but with brand new telescopes come brand new retail prices. Eugh! Scary!! The last time I saw a telescope like this was about two months ago, and by the time I'd made up my mind to buy it, some other guy had already paid and walked off with it! Determined not to let that happen this time, when I saw this one at the market, I immediately started scrutinising it. I eventually decided it was worth buying, and paid for it. Since buying it, I've pulled it apart completely (or as far as it will allow) and cleaned it as best as I can (it was clogged with dust and grit and sand and god knows what else!!). I've found an engraving on the barrel which reads: "C Simon", who was presumably it's original owner back in whenever it was new. I've also discovered what the sliding extension is on the front of the lens. It's a dew and glare shield. It's to stop sunlight from reflecting on the lens, and to protect the glass from condensation and moisture (and dew). There would originally have been a turned, brass cap that went over the sliding shield, but that's long gone. Maybe one day I'll find one which I can put on, but until then...meh. Well, darn. We have a local flea market, but it's mostly cheap trashy stuff. There is some suspicion that a lot of it is stolen items being fenced from household burglaries, too.  |
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