If you own a small or medium size clock or gift business, you know all too well the problems shipping clocks with the hands exposed can be. Especially, when you cannot afford custom packaging. Here are some idea’s we have picked up over the years. Protect Exposed Clock Hands: I like to use small Styrofoam blocks that are cut to ½” to 1” square, especially with hands that are 5” or longer. 1” Styrofoam sheets are a common Home Depot item. The trays bulk clock movements are shipped in also provide another source of Styrofoam. Set the clock hands at 6:00. Very carefully slide these little Styrofoam blocks along the face of the clock and onto the ends of the clock hands. Sometimes tape or rubber bands can be used for added stability. This should help to protect the hands in most applications. We also sell plastic hand protectors: These are protective covers that are specifically designed to cover and protect the clock hands that are 5” overall or less. They are normally held in place with rubber bands, but in some cases tape can be used. Protect The Exposed Hand Shaft: Every clock motor has a shaft sticking out of it where the clock hands are installed. If the end of this hand shaft is too close to the inner wall of your packaging, then it is very easy to damage during shipping. All you have to do is use about 4”- 6” sections of cardboard tubes, rolled up double walled corrugated or about 3”-4” strips of Styrofoam blocks. Hold them in place with a rubber band around the clock. Just make sure that the cardboard tubes, or Styrofoam […]
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Replacing A Mechanical Movement With A Battery Operated Quartz Movement
by clockpartsOften times this change has to be made for simple economic reasons; if the old mechanical movement is worn out, the price of a new German made mechanical movement can be very high. Sometimes it’s also just for less work and maintenance. Either way, some considerations have to be made when changing a spring wound or weight driven movement for a battery operated movement. If you think your clock may have any value, keep the original mechanical movement lightly oiled in a plastic bag and store safely. First remove the clock hands. If you have a second hand it will normally just pull off. The minute hand (the longer one) is usually held in place by a small round nut that needs to be unscrewed, or a tapered pin which must be removed. After this minute hand hardware is removed, pull the minute hand off. The hour hand (the shorter one) is normally just pressed on and can be pulled off. Mechanical movements are usually fastened to the clock dial or the back or front of the clock case by four metal “feet”.(see drawing) If you unscrew the nut holding each foot in place you will be able to remove the mechanical movement from the case. Every clock case is different, but these suggestions will work in most situations. Once the old mechanical movement has been removed, you can measure the depth, or dial thickness at the mounting hole. It can either be just a metal clock dial, or a metal clock dial on a 1/8″ – 1/4″ piece of plywood. This thickness will help to determine what shaft length of a battery operated movement would be best. Clock hands […]
Choosing a Replacement Movement – Interactive
by clockpartsInevitably it will happen, you’ll have to replace parts for your clock. Batteries die and leak, motors burn out, and sometimes hands can get damaged. But, that’s why we’re here! We can help you find the parts you need, even if you don’t know very much about how your clock works. It’s not too hard, you just have to follow some instructions and take two measurements and answer four questions, that’s it. Just fill in the form by clicking on the link below and we will e-mail you back with suggestions. You compare to make the final decision. Please include all requested information. It’s probably impossible to cross reference any manufacturers part numbers you may see, as you may have already learned. It’s all about finding an equivalent. So let’s figure this out together! Replacement Parts Form
Choosing Clock Hands For A Replacement Movement
by clockpartsThis simple step is often overlooked. Lot’s of people think whatever clock hands they have, will fit a new movement. Not usually true. The mounting holes are not standardized. So, if you already have the clock hands, you can just choose a similar length and style from us. If you do not have hands, then a few simple rules should be followed so you can correctly choose what you need from us. It all starts with measuring the diameter of the clock face, or clock dial: Take a look at this clock dial. If yours looks similar, then measure to between the 2 parallel lines outside of the 3:00 and 9:00 positions, and divide in half. Or you can measure from the center of the clock dial, To in between these 2 parallel lines, and now you know the length of your minute hand. You do not have to be exact, but be within a ¼”. It is also possible to trim hands to a shorter length. You only measure the minute hand from the mounting to the tip, so do not be concerned about the length of the hour hand, as it is typically 2/3 of the length of the minute hand. All of our hour and minute hands are sold by the pair. You can also use press on numbers to make your clock dial. See the set of 4 digits below (12, 3, 6 &9) Normally you would select hands that would come to about the middle of the numbers, but there is no set rule. You can also use almost anything you want to act as “numbers” or “indicators”. Try our Gold Roman or Arabic (regular) […]
Removing A Battery Operated Clock Movement
by clockpartsAnalog clock movements (with clock hands, not digital) don’t just float in the air; they are always attached to something when they are telling time. It can be a traditional wood or metal clock case, or a novelty case such as a sea shell, mounted photo, tennis racquet or 12″ vinyl record. Almost anything. Eventually though, they get old and need to be replaced. It’s pretty easy if you follow our simple instructions. To remove the clock movement you will need to remove the clock hands first. If you have a second hand, this will normally pull off. Thin needle nosed pliers can be used to pull upward on the back of the second hand near the hub to remove. The minute hand can either be pressed on the minute hand shaft, or held there by a small round nut (as shown above). If it’s a “press on”, then just pull it off. If there is a small round nut, then hold the minute hand still while turning the small round nut in a counter-clockwise direction until small round nut comes off. Gently pull the minute hand upward to remove. Almost all hour hands are “press on”, so rock hour hand gently while pulling away from the clock movement. Thin needle nosed pliers can also be used under the hour hand at the hub to assist in removing it. Now that the clock hands have been removed, it’s time to get the movement out of whatever clock case it is in. Most battery operated clock movements are installed by a system called “Center Fixation”. Some type of nut is threaded onto an exposed threaded metal shaft, or interior threaded shaft, […]
When the Clock Hands Are Free, Take ‘em…!
by clockpartsMost of the clock movements we offer include a FREE CHOICE of multiple sets of hour and minute hands. It’s your choice,. Just tell us what you want! For some reason, some customers think the hands that they currently have in their possession are going to fit a different clock movement. Rarely happens. If it does, buy a lottery ticket that day. There is no “standardization” of the mounting holes in clock hands. It’s that simple. The mounting holes in clock hands are measured to within a few thousandths of an inch, and there are dozens of possibilities.. Put your ruler away. Unless you have good calipers or a micrometer, you are not going measure the mounting holes in clock hands. We primarily use the American “I” shaft system, but it is only popular here, and only some imported movements use it. Almost all of our movements use the “I” shaft. The best feature of the American “I” shaft is that it uses a small round nut to lock the minute hand in place. It’s very secure. In all of our categories of clock hands, at the top of the first page on the web site, we show an excellent profile drawing of the actual mounting hole sizes for the clock hands listed in that section. We also are sure to link every clock movement we sell with the clock hands that can be used with that movement. Just go to any movement page and click on “clock hands” at the bottom of the movement page to see our selection..
Pendulum Movements
by clockpartsChoosing and installing a pendulum movement requires a couple of simple, extra measurements. You need to measure the hand shaft as you normally would. (Link to First Time Clock Repair) you also need to measure the pendulum length by installing the pendulum on the movement, then measuring from the bottom of the pendulum to the center of the clock face. Also note the diameter of the pendulum bob (the round disc). Please see the drawing below: If you are replacing an old mechanical movement with a modern battery operated quartz pendulum movement, please remember that the pendulums for mechanical movements are usually too heavy to be operated by a modern battery operated quartz movement. As long as your pendulum measures 16″ or less, our adjustable pendulums will work on your clock. All you have to do is choose what size pendulum bob (the disc at the bottom of a pendulum) you would like. They are available in 2-1/8″, 2-3/4″ or 3-1/2″ diameters. You choose what’s best for you! If you have pendulum that you want to use, and it weighs more than 2-1/2 ounces, then you should consider this heavy duty pendulum drive for your next project or an even more powerful PHDPD which is our most powerful pendulum drive available. As always, your choice of pendulum movements also includes your choice of over 50 styles of clock hands in gold or black. Just pick what you would like. We stock two lines of time only pendulum movements. Our American made AA battery powered line: And our C cell powered line of pendulum movements: Both lines of pendulum movements can be used for a variety of applications. The “C” cell versions […]
Clock Making As A Hobby
by clockpartsClock making changed dramatically with the invention of the quartz movement over 4 decades ago. Before that, battery operated movements were not as reliable, and some models actually had to be properly balanced just to operate. Now, quartz movements use a slice of a cultured quartz crystal bar, which is very accurately angle cut, and when electrified, resonates, causing the electrical circuit around it to produce a specific frequency output. Imagine a tuning fork that can run essentially forever (or at least until you need to change the batteries). , The accuracy and stability of quartz crystals is nothing short of amazing. This makes it easy to have clock movements that are accurate to within a couple of minutes a year. Another advantage to the new quartz movements is that they do not have to be leveled, and can operate in almost any position. The only exception is quartz movements with a pendulum function. By the way, pendulums on quartz movements have nothing to do with time-keeping, they are just there to add an authentic touch. Since you can make a clock out of virtually anything-Why not give it a try! You can use: CD’s Tennis Rackets Old Vinyl Records Metal Boxes Plates Wood Slabs Cast Iron Pans Computer Circuit Boards Marquetry Signs Decorated Foam Core Boards Books Paintings & Drawings Photos Needlepoint & Quilts Nautical Steering Wheels Propellers Hub Caps Slate Tiles Stained Glass Mirrors The list is almost endless. All you have to do is pick something that is 3/4″ thick or less and you are ready to make your own custom clock design. The material thickness will determine the hand shaft length you will need, and we […]
Large Clocks
by clockpartsIf you want to make or repair large clocks, then clockparts.com is the place to be. We sell the best and most powerful high torque clock movements in the business. We have 2 shaft lengths of our American Made AA Battery powered high torque movement and 2 shaft lengths of our imported C battery High torque movement, as well as pendulum and continuous sweep models. The best selection anywhere. All of these models feature our exclusive Extended Minute Hand Shaft. This feature allows an increased space between the hour and minute hand, which is helpful when trying to properly align the 2 hands. We are making it easy! Our high torque movements can run hands as large as 17-3/4”. This will allow you to repair or use with clocks up to 40” in diameter, depending on the layout of the numbers. If you are repairing a large clock, it is general best to order new hands with a high torque movement as the hole sizes in clock hands are not standardized. You can see the clock hand mounting hole sizes at: If they match what you have, then you will be able to use your old clock hands. If using your old hands, please check to make sure that your minute hand (the longer one) is balanced. This is easily done by placing the mounting hole on your fingertip to see if the hand is balanced. If it lays there flat then it’s balanced, if it tilts or falls off, then it’s not balanced. Large minute hands can be balanced by using small amounts of latex caulk on the back. If you would like to wall mount our high torque […]
Choosing a Chime Movement
by clockpartsModern battery operated chime movements can be easily installed and give you years of trouble free, accurate service. While most of our chime movements sound the Westminster Chime (chime of Big Ben in London), combinations with Whittington, Ave Maria or Bim-bam are also available. All of these chime movements have varying features such as the chime pattern and the length of the hand shaft. For more information on checking the length of the hand shaft, Please see this article. Clockparts.com demonstrates its industry leadership skills by having the only website that allows you to actually hear the different chime movements. This is the new industry standard and unique to clockparts.com. All of our chime movements include a FREE choice of hour and minute hands, and come with a 3 year replacement warranty. Please pay careful attention to the details listed with each movement. Some are only available with one shaft length, but the length of a long hand shaft used may be shortened by something as simple as adding some washers from your local hardware store over the hand shaft before installation. Other chime movements have volume controls, night strike shut-offs, remote speakers and other features. Remote speakers give the best sound because you can do an effective speaker installation yourself by installing the speaker into the best position for your clock case. Some of our chime movements are only available with a pendulum feature. If you like the features of a chime movement that has a pendulum, but you don’t need one, Just leave the pendulum swinging arm in its shipping position, and it will not affect anything except increasing battery life of the clock movement. Battery operated quartz […]