Movement Mounting

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 2:44 am     Post subject: Movement Mounting

I have an Urgos 32010, new old stock movement, and an old 7 ft. grandfather clock cabinet. The cabinet has a framework in the bottom of the top cabinet. The dial is 11 inches tall. What do you mount the movement on which leaves room for the chains.

There are mounting holes in the lower spacers between the front and rear plates of the movement. There is a 5 inch rise from the lower framework of the top cabinet, to the bottom of the movement frame.

Signed, Feeling a little stupid...

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:34 am     Post subject: Movement mounting

Weight driven movements usually sit on a movement shelf in the top section of the clock case. The movement shelf spans the width of the case interior and is slotted so that the chains (or cables in a cable drive movement) can pass through the slot in the shelf. A section of the shelf may be cut slightly concave at the rear to allow the pendulum to swing free unobstructed. The movement is usually secured to the shelf with machine screws and washers provided with it. The bottom pillars of the movement are threaded to accept the screws.

You don't say if the hood will accept an arch dial or square dial or how large a dial can be fitted for best appearance in the case. e.g. you may be able to replace the existing dial with a different dial if it would look better in your clock case.
Certainly a 7 foot tall case is adequate for 8 day operation of most, if not all, clock movements.
You may have to build block supports to adjust the height of the movement shelf so that the dial is centered properly in the hood. Just be sure the shelf is made from sufficiently thick wood stock to support the movement as well as the weights.

I could not find the specifications for a 32010 Urgos movement in my cross reference sheets. However, Urgos was known to renumber their clock movements and it may have had a different number previously.

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:05 pm     Post subject:

The movement's new part number is 32325.
The dial is 11 x 15.5.
I have a moon dial for it which is the right size.
The frame I spoke of in the bottom of the top cabinet has a 12 x 6.5 opening.
With the movement mounted on the dial, the distance from the bottom pillars to the movement shelf is 5 inches. This would place the dial properly in the opening. The mounting holes in the bottom pillars are centered in their length, which leaves the outside chain on each side about 3/8 of an inch from the mounting screw.
I've been an industrial mechanic for 40 years, and can fabricate most anything.
I just need an idea how to make the support, from the movement shelf, to the bottom pillars.

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:33 am     Post subject:

The usual method of supporting the movement shelf is with two blocks of the appropriate length screwed to the (in)side walls of the case. They should be long enough so that when the movement shelf is placed on the supports the clock movement will be centered correctly in the hood. Usually wood stock (3/4" plywood or similar...even thicker stock may be used if necessary) is sufficient to act as supports for the movement shelf. The shelf spans the width of the inside of the case.
Unless the hood has some form of cutout for the dial it may be necessary to fabricate one from 1/4" ply of the same veneer as the outer case. It serves to provide a finished frame for the dial and so that you are not seeing empty space around the dial.

The original Urgos number for 32325 was UW32/10 and I was able to cross reference the movement as a chain drive, Westminster chime movement, 80cm pendulum. time and strike weights 4lbs, chime weight 6.6 lbs.

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:43 pm     Post subject: Movement Mounting

We are up and running. Thanks for your gracious help.

Roger