What"s With American Alarm Clocks?
Because of their low cost American alarm clocks are not designed for extensive repairs.
However, many of these clocks can be restored to good running condition at a minimum cost in both time and money.
Repairing the American Alarm Clock Dismantling the Clock The first thing to do is to remove the time-winding and the alarm-winding keys that are located at the back of the case.
The arrows on the case indicate the direction the keys are turned to wind.
To remove, turn the keys in the opposite direction, as most keys are screwed on.
In most cases the keys are fitted friction tight to a square on the arbor.
If this happens, insert the jaws of cutting pliers under the keys and pry them off.
Usually the movement may be removed from the case without disturbing the time setting and the alarm-setting knobs.
With the movement out of the case, first remove the balance assembly.
Remove the brass wedge to release the hair spring with pliers.
Back out one of the threaded caps that carry the balance staff, and remove the balance from the movement.
Examine the pivots of the balance staff; the ends should feel sharp when touched with the finger.
If the ends of the pivot are not sharp to the touch, they must be made so by placing the balance in a split chuck, and grinding the pivots to a sharp point in the lathe.
The movement may now be cleaned without further dismantling, using the ultrasonic cleaning and rinsing solutions.
The balance assembly should be cleaned separately, using two small jars for the cleaning and rinsing solutions.
After cleaning the balance assembly dries the movement and balance over the heating lamp.
After the movement and the balance are dry, complete the assembly procedure.
Next oil the movement.
Wind the time and alarm mainsprings fully, and place clock oil on the coils.
Oil the train wheel pivots, the balance pivots, and every other tooth of the escape wheel, and also the alarm pallets.
The balance should start with a break motion of not less than 450 degrees.
Adjusting the escapement If the balance does not take a satisfactory motion, the escapement may be at fault.
Turn the balance slowly to allow one tooth of the escape wheel to pass a pallet pin.
There should be a definite locking.
If locking fails, use the flat nose pliers to bend in toward the escape wheel.
Adjusting the alarm On the dial side of the movement, there is a long flat spring with a bent-over end that reached through a hole in the plate.
This end locks or releases the alarm hammer.
If the bent-over end does not raise high enough to release the alarm hammer, the moment the alarm should ring, bend the long flat spring back slightly.
If the alarm rings continuously, move it forward, Replacing the Hands Turn the alarm setting knob slowly, and stop when the clock alarms.
Place the alarm hand to 12 o'clock.
Also place the hour and minute hand to 12 o'clock.
Turn the time setting knob clockwise and check the time when the clock alarms.
If the alarm does not set off at 12 o'clock, readjust the hands until the alarm rings at the proper time.
Hopefully, this was helpful in restoring your alarm clock to a good running condition at a minimum cost in time and money.
However, many of these clocks can be restored to good running condition at a minimum cost in both time and money.
Repairing the American Alarm Clock Dismantling the Clock The first thing to do is to remove the time-winding and the alarm-winding keys that are located at the back of the case.
The arrows on the case indicate the direction the keys are turned to wind.
To remove, turn the keys in the opposite direction, as most keys are screwed on.
In most cases the keys are fitted friction tight to a square on the arbor.
If this happens, insert the jaws of cutting pliers under the keys and pry them off.
Usually the movement may be removed from the case without disturbing the time setting and the alarm-setting knobs.
With the movement out of the case, first remove the balance assembly.
Remove the brass wedge to release the hair spring with pliers.
Back out one of the threaded caps that carry the balance staff, and remove the balance from the movement.
Examine the pivots of the balance staff; the ends should feel sharp when touched with the finger.
If the ends of the pivot are not sharp to the touch, they must be made so by placing the balance in a split chuck, and grinding the pivots to a sharp point in the lathe.
The movement may now be cleaned without further dismantling, using the ultrasonic cleaning and rinsing solutions.
The balance assembly should be cleaned separately, using two small jars for the cleaning and rinsing solutions.
After cleaning the balance assembly dries the movement and balance over the heating lamp.
After the movement and the balance are dry, complete the assembly procedure.
Next oil the movement.
Wind the time and alarm mainsprings fully, and place clock oil on the coils.
Oil the train wheel pivots, the balance pivots, and every other tooth of the escape wheel, and also the alarm pallets.
The balance should start with a break motion of not less than 450 degrees.
Adjusting the escapement If the balance does not take a satisfactory motion, the escapement may be at fault.
Turn the balance slowly to allow one tooth of the escape wheel to pass a pallet pin.
There should be a definite locking.
If locking fails, use the flat nose pliers to bend in toward the escape wheel.
Adjusting the alarm On the dial side of the movement, there is a long flat spring with a bent-over end that reached through a hole in the plate.
This end locks or releases the alarm hammer.
If the bent-over end does not raise high enough to release the alarm hammer, the moment the alarm should ring, bend the long flat spring back slightly.
If the alarm rings continuously, move it forward, Replacing the Hands Turn the alarm setting knob slowly, and stop when the clock alarms.
Place the alarm hand to 12 o'clock.
Also place the hour and minute hand to 12 o'clock.
Turn the time setting knob clockwise and check the time when the clock alarms.
If the alarm does not set off at 12 o'clock, readjust the hands until the alarm rings at the proper time.
Hopefully, this was helpful in restoring your alarm clock to a good running condition at a minimum cost in time and money.