10-22-2015, 04:19 PM
Came across this Philco 8B56 clock that Philco would sell as an accessory in the ’38 & ’39 timeframe. The veneer is decent, the clock runs and the price was low.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c4wvnshui9hl3i....jpg?raw=1]
Since we don’t have a “Mechanical Restoration” section I’ll put this in “Cabinet Resto.” I was able to get the dial glass off so I could clean both the inside and outside as well as the face of the clock, thought all was going well until I pulled the “time set” knob out of the mechanism. I had twisted it and the time was setting but with difficulty so in the process it pulled apart.
I was able to get it all back together but am puzzled by the way it was put together in the first place. Here’s a diagram.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kqqynt97cx0j9c....jpg?raw=1]
It works by pulling down on the knob, engaging the small gear with the larger gear and then turning the knob, shaft and gears to set the time. The small gear is simply a press fit onto the shaft. There is enough resistance in the clock mechanism that the shaft now rotates within the gear such that you cannot set the clock. As I mentioned the clock runs fine and I’m hesitant to take the entire mechanism apart for fear of never getting it all back together. Any ideas on what to do? I doubt there was ever any adhesive on the shaft/gear and it may just be wear with time that is the problem. I can always set the clock but plugging it in at the right moment….
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c4wvnshui9hl3i....jpg?raw=1]
Since we don’t have a “Mechanical Restoration” section I’ll put this in “Cabinet Resto.” I was able to get the dial glass off so I could clean both the inside and outside as well as the face of the clock, thought all was going well until I pulled the “time set” knob out of the mechanism. I had twisted it and the time was setting but with difficulty so in the process it pulled apart.
I was able to get it all back together but am puzzled by the way it was put together in the first place. Here’s a diagram.
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kqqynt97cx0j9c....jpg?raw=1]
It works by pulling down on the knob, engaging the small gear with the larger gear and then turning the knob, shaft and gears to set the time. The small gear is simply a press fit onto the shaft. There is enough resistance in the clock mechanism that the shaft now rotates within the gear such that you cannot set the clock. As I mentioned the clock runs fine and I’m hesitant to take the entire mechanism apart for fear of never getting it all back together. Any ideas on what to do? I doubt there was ever any adhesive on the shaft/gear and it may just be wear with time that is the problem. I can always set the clock but plugging it in at the right moment….
