How to make something of this movement?

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:23 pm     Post subject: How to make something of this movement?

Hi. Brand new here on the Clock forum, and I don't know a thing about clocks.

But I am an engineer, and have modest mechanical skills for a young adult. I was at the surplus store the other day and saw mechanical clock movements for $1.00. I was instantly fascinated and stood there for 10 minutes in the store trying to get one to tick. I figured for $1.00 it would be worth it to take and tinker with at home.

Here are some photos.







Click for bigger versions.

So, I've determined that the clock only runs one hand, the hour hand. I can't figure out how to wind it though, but it does tick, although not consistantly. It seems to start ticking when tilted, but when left still it stops after a few seconds. The tick speed changes noticably as it goes.

I'm sure this is a piece of cake for most of you, but I just haven't figured out the main components of a mechanical clock yet, or how to identify them. I can see the mainspring, and it looks wound up, but I see no way to wind it any more. I also don't see a pendulum connection, so I don't think it is a pendulum clock.

Thanks for any help. I hope I learn a lot here.

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:49 pm     Post subject:

It looks like some sort of timer mechanism. The big shaft is to wind the spring, don't see a shaft for the hands. the second photo is a cam of sorts which engages something else. Looks like you only have one part of the mechanism.

Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:51 am     Post subject:

Oh really? Well, that would make sense I guess. They were listed as mechanical clock mechanisms at the store, but they dont know what it is, they just sell it, so it could easily be mislabeled. It certainly looks like it could be a clock.

It might be an egg-timer or something similar. The way the black wheel looks on the back, and that silver arm, it seems like it could tick tick tick tick then WHAM, release the arm which strikes a bell.

Thanks for the response. It doesn't run very nice though, and a mechanical timer could be fun and useful so I will take it partially apart to see whats going on and possible causes for it to be so stuttery.