Repairing Antique Pendulum Clocks (Book by Hans Jendritzki)
Watch book on the repair of antique clocks
This book about the repair of antique clocks by renowned clock specialist Hans Jendritzki contains an incredible wealth of information invaluable to anyone who wishes to repair clocks. Like author Hans Jendritzki’s other clock books, his opus on the pendulum clock is a classic in clock literature.
Table of contents and sample pages
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How to repair a clock
“Repairing antique clocks” provides a 4 part comprehensive answer to the question of how to repair a pendulum clock. The 1st chapter of the clock repair book begins with an accurate description of all work applicable to pivots and bearings as well as interventions on the wheel and movement of the pendulum clock. Thus, the driving in of new blanks for example, or the turning of pinions are described exactly. The reader will note with pleasure that almost every important operation is illustrated with clear pictures.
After describing every different type of drive, the first chapter concludes addressing the subject of antique weight drives such as “the Huygenschen drive”, and the cable traction and rack clock systems.
Book about escapements and pendulums of a pendulum clock
The second part of the book deals in great detail with the escapements and the pendulum of the pendulum clock. Hans Jendritzki gives a broad overview of all common types of escapements of a pendulum clock, but also of certain unusual varieties. He begins with the verge escapement and ends with escapements having constant force and gravity.
A glance at the following section on suspensions and pendulums reveals that this clock repair manual may serve not only, as the title suggests, for the repair of antique clocks, but also as a great source of information on all pendulum driven clocks.
Thus, the question is precisely addressed of how best to regulate a pendulum or, within an existing clockwork, how to calculate the number of stokes of a missing pendulum and therefore that pendulum’s length.
Book about the time indication of a pendulum clock
The third chapter of the book on repairing antique clocks deals with its time display and contains many interesting facts.
Although known to many, the two usual types of pointer mechanisms assembled according the 100-year-old Brocot perpetual calendar or calendar with recoiling date hand are not included in every technical watch manual.
The representation of the phases of the moon and the requisite gear mechanism is as accurately depicted in this book as are the workings of the time equation display.
Book about the chiming mechanism of the pendulum clock
In Chapter 4, Hans Jendritzki gives extensive basic instructions regarding the chiming mechanism in an easily accessible style. How does a lock washer work or how is one manufactured? Following a description of the ratchet mechanism with hourly scale, one finds an excellent explanation of the Comtoise striking mechanism with its characteristic double rake. Music boxes and Flute clocks are also mentioned. Subsequently almost 46 pages are devoted to the intricate chiming mechanisms of the pendulum clock. With the help of clear illustrations, the workings of repetition, night chime shutoff, quarter- and hourly strike, petite and grande Sonnerie and jumping trigger features are described in detail.
The study of one of these elaborate dials can be quite an exciting occupation.
Book about the cleaning and maintenance of a pendulum clock
In the last section of the book on the repair of antique clocks, there is good advice for cleaning and repairing the case and accessories of an antique clock. It is just these valuable practical instructions which will give the owner of this book much pleasure because all the tasks can carried out in a simple manner.
The appendix describes and illustrates all the tools necessary for repairing antique clocks and devices. A subject index and a bibliography complete the text.