Tower Clock

Robaroni · 01-03-15, 09:56 AM

Hi gang!
This is my latest project, it's a massive tower clock (the size of the one in the Wrigley Building in Chicago) in the village square of our small village of Delhi, NY in the Western Catskill Mountains.

I started repairing the escape wheel and it's anchor escapement. You can see the wear on the pinion wheel. That's from lubricating the wheels which collects dirt over the years and acts like an abrasive (you should only lubricate the bearings, not the wheels). The steel pinion wears and the large brass wheel is fine. You can see the pivots are worn too. They are Rockwell 45 hardness but they wore and the soft brass escape wheel didn't. I machined a new pinion and made new hardened pivots. As of Dec 31, 2014 the clock is running and the hour strike is also working. I need to do some more work on the worn pinions and change cabling down to the bell two floors below the movement. It's a kick but I found out the hard way you need ear protection when that bell goes off, even two floors below you!
There was some abuse, you can see the pivot has been bent and grabbed with a vise grip- ouch! I straightened it and the pendulum is now in balance.
The picture is of me working in 15 or 20 degree (Fahrenheit) temps, it's a labor of love and the clock hasn't worked in a very long time so the village is pretty excited too!
I worked all week to get the hour strike to go off at midnight New Years Eve.
There's still a lot to do, several wheels need to be machined and there are a couple of bent shafts, worn bearings and, as you can see from the picture, cleaning to do.

Rob

where2 · 01-03-15, 10:29 AM

My wife and I both thank you Rob. America is full of little historic treasures like your town clock tower, in need of a little TLC. My wife apprenticed colonial blacksmithing under a machinist. Talented bunch you gentlemen are. So knowledgeable about your metallurgy, and so willing to share your talents with your communities. Your posting about the clock tower makes me want to stop by to hear the tower bells next time we are visiting our friends in Greene, NY. I remember how surprised I was the first time we were visiting our friends in Greene and I heard their clock tower. I'd forgotten such things existed in the great small towns of America.

Robaroni · 01-03-15, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by where2

My wife and I both thank you Rob. America is full of little historic treasures like your town clock tower, in need of a little TLC. My wife apprenticed colonial blacksmithing under a machinist. Talented bunch you gentlemen are. So knowledgeable about your metallurgy, and so willing to share your talents with your communities. Your posting about the clock tower makes me want to stop by to hear the tower bells next time we are visiting our friends in Greene, NY. I remember how surprised I was the first time we were visiting our friends in Greene and I heard their clock tower. I'd forgotten such things existed in the great small towns of America.

Thanks Where2!
I think the hour strike on that large bell is almost magical. When I first heard it I thought it was too slow but it has a special charm to it that you just can't describe.
If you're going to be in the area drop me an email and I'll give you my number.
Rob

jeff5may · 01-03-15, 11:24 AM

Awesome job! What a fine example of worthwhile community service.

ecomodded · 01-03-15, 05:27 PM

Nice Clock and great Job your doing , this will be good on your resume , overhaul clock tower clocks etc. not many people are doing that ... today.

Is it a old Church or city Hall clock at one time ?

Daox · 01-06-15, 10:40 PM

That is very interesting and impressive work!

pinballlooking · 01-07-15, 10:50 AM

Very nice thing you are doing and thanks for sharing the story.

01-03-15, 09:56 AM	#1
Robaroni Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delhi, NY Posts: 332 Thanks: 20 Thanked 53 Times in 40 Posts	Tower Clock Hi gang! This is my latest project, it's a massive tower clock (the size of the one in the Wrigley Building in Chicago) in the village square of our small village of Delhi, NY in the Western Catskill Mountains. I started repairing the escape wheel and it's anchor escapement. You can see the wear on the pinion wheel. That's from lubricating the wheels which collects dirt over the years and acts like an abrasive (you should only lubricate the bearings, not the wheels). The steel pinion wears and the large brass wheel is fine. You can see the pivots are worn too. They are Rockwell 45 hardness but they wore and the soft brass escape wheel didn't. I machined a new pinion and made new hardened pivots. As of Dec 31, 2014 the clock is running and the hour strike is also working. I need to do some more work on the worn pinions and change cabling down to the bell two floors below the movement. It's a kick but I found out the hard way you need ear protection when that bell goes off, even two floors below you! There was some abuse, you can see the pivot has been bent and grabbed with a vise grip- ouch! I straightened it and the pendulum is now in balance. The picture is of me working in 15 or 20 degree (Fahrenheit) temps, it's a labor of love and the clock hasn't worked in a very long time so the village is pretty excited too! I worked all week to get the hour strike to go off at midnight New Years Eve. There's still a lot to do, several wheels need to be machined and there are a couple of bent shafts, worn bearings and, as you can see from the picture, cleaning to do. Rob Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Daox; 01-05-15 at 08:33 AM..

01-06-15, 10:40 PM	#6
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	That is very interesting and impressive work! __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-03-15, 10:29 AM	#2
where2 DIY Geek Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 401 Thanks: 74 Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts	My wife and I both thank you Rob. America is full of little historic treasures like your town clock tower, in need of a little TLC. My wife apprenticed colonial blacksmithing under a machinist. Talented bunch you gentlemen are. So knowledgeable about your metallurgy, and so willing to share your talents with your communities. Your posting about the clock tower makes me want to stop by to hear the tower bells next time we are visiting our friends in Greene, NY. I remember how surprised I was the first time we were visiting our friends in Greene and I heard their clock tower. I'd forgotten such things existed in the great small towns of America.

01-03-15, 11:24 AM	#4
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Awesome job! What a fine example of worthwhile community service.

01-03-15, 05:27 PM	#5
ecomodded Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Vancouver Island,Canada. Posts: 1,037 Thanks: 116 Thanked 100 Times in 87 Posts	Nice Clock and great Job your doing , this will be good on your resume , overhaul clock tower clocks etc. not many people are doing that ... today. Is it a old Church or city Hall clock at one time ?

01-07-15, 10:50 AM	#7
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Very nice thing you are doing and thanks for sharing the story.