Kitchen Clock Maintenance and Repair: Phase Two - Cleaning, Polishing Pivots, Bushing Job, and Testing of the Pequegnat Clock
In the heart of Ontario, a clock enthusiast recently embarked on a fascinating restoration project. The subject of this endeavour was a rare Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock, affectionately known among collectors as the "Pointed Top".
Purchased from an antique store in Bloomfield, Ontario, the clock was bought in the summer of a specific year, although the exact year remains undisclosed. The clock, which was advertised as non-running, had seen better days. Its dial was beginning to flake, and it faced a repair issue with a clutch plate off the center arbor that was not engaging the gear.
Despite these challenges, the clock was a prized addition to the collector's growing collection, having been added in November 2015. The first step in the restoration process was to disassemble the clock movement carefully, noting the position of gears and parts.
The pivot holes, where the pivots of the gear wheels rotate, were inspected for wear or enlargement. Worn holes usually require rebushing, and in this case, the escape wheel, known for its problematic bushing wear, required straightening of one of its pivots before bushing work could begin.
The worn bushings were removed by drilling out or carefully punching them from the worn pivot holes, ensuring not to damage the clock plates. New bushings, preferably made of brass, were installed, and these were flush or slightly recessed as appropriate. The new bushings were an improvement, but there was a concern about cutting into the steel as the pressed brass inserts for the bushings were not quite on-center.
Once the bushings were in place, they were reamed to the correct size so the pivots could rotate freely but without excessive play. All parts were then cleaned thoroughly to remove old oil, dirt, and gum. The hammer spring, which had snapped during reassembly, was replaced with a .35mm brass spring.
The clock movement was now on the test stand and is expected to run for years to come. The mainsprings were cleaned, oiled, and placed back in their spring retainers. An emery board was used for pivot polishing, and a steady-rest was used to secure difficult pivot ends. One of the pivots had scoring, but all other pivots were in good shape and were polished.
Arthur Pequegnat clocks, being American-made from the early 20th century, have robust brass plates and relatively large steel pivots typical of that era. These clocks should be lubricated sparingly, avoiding over-oiling, because excessive or old gummed-up lubrication causes pivots to wear the bushings faster, leading to loss of proper wheel mesh and running irregularities.
In summary, performing bushing work involves careful disassembly, measuring and replacing worn bushings with new ones, precise fitting and reaming, cleaning, and then applying minimal clock oil to ensure smooth, long-lasting operation. The Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock, part of the popular Maple Leaf series produced up to 1941, is no exception to this rule. With the restoration complete, the clock now stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of its era and the dedication of its restorer.
After the restoration, the vintage Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock, now in a better working condition, will not only be a decorative piece but also a functional one, thanks to the clock servicing carried out. The collector, having added the restored clock to their collection back in November 2015, is now ready to incorporate it into their smart-home-devices, where its traditional charm can coexist with modern technology and other gadgets.
