Trying to fix a wooden clock

Jeff · December 13, 2006, 05:48:54 PM

My clock has been broke for some time. I ordered the only 1 revolution per minute motor I could find to replace the one that is shot, but it was way different when it got here. THis was a couple years ago and I just set it aside. I would like to make the new motor work. Any ideas by looking at the photos?

Here are the two motors the old one is the one with the "tee" the tee stick sin in the end of the wooden pawl and drives the first sprocket ahead. As you can see the new motor has a shorter shaft, and no cross T. the shaft has a flat spot on one side. Keep in mind I dont have a machine shop or access to one. Only typical around the house "stuff" :D

closer look at the difference. I would say the smaller moter has about a 3/32s shaft and the larger one a 5/32s

metalspinner · December 13, 2006, 05:56:25 PM

I think a bronze bushing from the hardware store will do it. You can drill it out on a drill press if needed to get to the right diameter. A file or disc sander can be used to get it to the right length.

Are you sure the shaft on the old motor doesn't pull off. If you disassemble it, you may be able to reuse those parts.

Jeff · December 13, 2006, 06:00:10 PM

It's toast so I might as well try that. Not sure how a bronze bushing will help. What I need is a way to make the Tee. Thats what keeps the motor shaft from simply spinning in the wood.

Jeff · December 13, 2006, 06:00:48 PM

The new one is also too short as seen in the photo

Tom · December 13, 2006, 06:04:21 PM

You can get some teeninsey little split pins that would fit in a hole drilled in the shaft. As a matter of fact, if that pin in the old motor is a split pin, you might be able to remove it.

The old motor's shaft looks as if it might be a device that fits over a smaller shaft. Reckon that could be? If so, it would fit over the new shaft too.

if you get a bushing that will fit the new shaft, you can drill it at the right height/length to shove a straight pin through for a "t'

Glue the bushing onto the shaft and......... bet it will work.

sprucebunny · December 13, 2006, 06:09:08 PM

And if the old shaft doesn't fit the new motor, you could glue a short piece of tubing ( like copper ) to the new shaft after you set the pin in it

jgoodhart · December 13, 2006, 06:39:00 PM

Cut the shaft off the old motor and drill to fit onto the new motor and loctite it tight.

Don_Papenburg · December 13, 2006, 09:19:37 PM

Spruce bunny has the right idea , but I would go to the hardware store and get brass tube as it is harder /stronger than copper and they have various sizes for hobby work. Drill a hole in the tube and shaft ,put in a small cotter pin then cut the tube to length and drill a hole for the drive pin . time will be flyin.

SwampDonkey · December 14, 2006, 05:15:23 AM

The spindle ain't centred either is it? The screw holes don't match up.

Jeff have a browse around in here. I found a part for my clock, that I had no idea could ever be replaced since my clock is from Holland. I've had this site bookmarked for 3 years.

http://members.ruralnet.org/clocks/5.html

SPIKER · December 14, 2006, 08:35:44 PM

I like Jgoodhearts idea, cut off the OLD motors shaft & drill it out to the NEW motors shaft size, then mount the drilled out old motor shaft onto the net motor shaft leaving it long enough to compensate for the shorter new motor.

biggest prob would be centering the old shaft after cutting for the new hole shaft size... ionly spinning at 1 rpm is no big deal if it os off some... SO good luck and if you need help with a bit of machineing there are a lot of people here who would help ya out, (I don't ahve any machines sorry) but I'm sure a few people here do.

Mark M

Furby · December 14, 2006, 08:38:17 PM

I just happen to have a motor with the end on it as Jeff needs.
I'll be bringing it up there on Tues.

SwampDonkey · December 15, 2006, 06:54:02 AM

Another option is to thread the shaft the opposite direction the motor rotates and take a piece of brass and tap a thread into it on a drill press to turn onto the shaft.

Patty · December 15, 2006, 07:25:28 AM

They have tiny little brass pins at Hobby Lobby...in the jewelry making section.............or you can just wait until Tuesday and let Furby fix it. ;D

scgargoyle · December 15, 2006, 05:23:45 PM

If ya get stuck, let me know. I have a machine shop at my disposal. 'Course, you'd have to send both of 'em down here for a couple weeks. Michigan is a little off my path, esp. this time of year!

Jeff · December 15, 2006, 05:39:18 PM

I may have a solution. I'll find out tomorrow when the furbster stops by. scgargoyle. it furby's motor doesnt work out, thank you for the info, I'll certainly holler back!

Jeff · December 22, 2006, 12:56:08 PM

On Tuesday Furby brought up a clock motor he had tore out of something. Probably a clock eh? :D Turned out it was pretty much the same motor as my new one accept it had a plastic "tee" that was slid on its shaft, and slightly lighter duty. The plastic tee slid on my replacement motor, and this morning with some modifications to the wooden part on the clock, and the plastic "tee" the Clock is now fixed. Its been running since about 7 this morning and is still keeping perfect time.

Thanks Furb! I like to see my clock guys on top sawing time away.