The Maintenance, Repair, Restoration, Conservation and Preservation of Turret Clocks

This is the first time ever that a comprehensive practical book has been published that deals with the maintaining and repairing of turret (tower) clocks. 'The Maintenance, Repair, Restoration, Conservation and Preservation of Turret Clocks' by Chris McKay is a unique new book that deals in a structured manner with all the aspects declared in its title. The target audience for the book is the experienced professional horologist who, from time to time, is asked to work on a turret clock. Its objective is to provide the necessary information so that the clockmaker will be able to perform maintenance and appropriate repairs, restoration and conservation. The book will help them assess for themselves how far they can go and when they need to call in specialist assistance. All will benefit. The restorer will expand their knowledge and experience, the clock will be properly looked after and the owner will be rewarded with a reliable clock that has an attractive dial. Although aimed at the professional horologist, the book will also be useful to the collector of turret clocks who has a practical bent. Advisers to heritage bodies, Dioceses and those 'just interested' will all find something in the book for them. The whole book is very graphic with colour photographs on nearly every page. Starting with a visit to a turret clock installation, the book progresses through suggested tools to maintenance where a blow-by-blow description is given of where to apply oil. Inspection is covered plus fault-finding to cover those problems peculiar to turret clock work. Basic jobs like cleaning, bushing and polishing pivots are covered. A chapter on terminology gives a visual list of all the parts of a turret clock from weights to dial. Dismantling and re-assembly is described pointing out the need to note assembly marks. Fitting a new suspension spring, timing a clock and finding the cause of erratic performance are all covered. A section on bells describes bell ringing, bell hammers and the maintenance and repair of clock bell hammers, bell cranks and bell wires. Dials too are covered giving explanations or removal, replacement, painting and gilding. Health and safety, commercial issues, quotations and faculties are discussed. Work practices such as working at heights, risk assessment and methodologies are introduced. Conservation is first introduced with a plea to be conservation minded. A chapter on the subject explains conservation objectives and the need for compromise since turret clocks are expected to work all the year. For the collector, a chapter gives information on making stands or finding or making pendulums, weights and dials. Quarto size, the book is self-published by the author. It runs to 226 pages and has over 400 colour illustrations. Perfect bound, the soft cover is in full colour and matte laminated. Contents: Introduction Acknowledgements Your Responsibilities Precautions to Take When Visiting a Turret Clock A Turret Clock Installation An Introduction to Conservation Terminology Recommended Tools Examining a Turret Clock Maintenance Turret Clock Work Strategy Dismantling and Reassembly Cleaning Turret Clocks Common Repairs Painting, Lacquering and Waxing Flies and Clicks Weights, Pulleys and Lines Leading off Work, Motionworks and Hands Common Turret Clock Escapements Gear Trains The Pendulum Fitting a New Suspension Spring Timing and Regulation Fault Finding Bells Bell Hammers Working at Heights Dial Removal and Replacement Dials: Gilding and Glazing Wheel and Pinion Tooth Repairs Electrical Turret Clocks Automatic Winders Automatic Correctors Conservation Preservation Collecting Turret Clocks Methodologies and Risk Assessments The Faculty Jurisdiction Quotations Commercial Issues Turret Clock Information Sources Bibliography Index