Kitchen Clock Maintenance Continued: Deep Cleaning, Pivot Polishing, Bushing Tasks, and Functional Testing (Pequegnat Series - Installment 2)
Restoring a Vintage Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf Kitchen Clock
In the world of antique clocks, no piece is without its challenges. This is especially true for a Canadian-made Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock, purchased in November 2015 by an enthusiast who found its uncommon style appealing, despite not being typically appealing to the average eye.
The clock, part of the popular "Pointed Top" series produced up to 1941, was bought at an antique store in Bloomfield, Ontario. It was advertised as non-running, but the owner felt it was important to own a piece of Canadian craftsmanship.
The repair process began with a thorough disassembly and inspection of the clock movement. Careful documentation was made to ensure accurate reassembly later on. During this process, one of the pivots was found to have scoring, requiring straightening before any bushings could be replaced.
Bushings on the movement were worn out, particularly on the escape wheel, which was the most problematic. A new bushing was installed to address this issue. The worn bushings were removed using a proper bushing removal tool or a fine drill bit slightly larger than the worn pivot hole. New bushings were cut to the exact thickness of the movement plate and drilled precisely to fit the pivots snugly.
After the bushings were installed, the pivots were polished or lightly filed to remove any wear or burrs. The clock parts were then cleaned thoroughly to remove old oil, dirt, and gummy residues. A small drop of appropriate clock oil was applied only to the pivot holes in the bushings.
Reassembly of the movement followed, with the wheels, springs, and other components being carefully put back in place. A helper spring on the strike side was replaced during reassembly. The mainsprings were cleaned, oiled, and placed back in their spring retainers.
However, the repair process was not without its complications. The movement has bent steel plates, making it difficult to align the top and bottom pillars. Furthermore, a past repairer had performed a poor repair job on one of the pivot holes, bending a pivot in the process.
The current repair is being done because the clutch plate off the center arbor is not engaging the gear. The clock is currently off for repairs, and the owner hopes to bring this vintage piece back to its ticking glory.
While specific step-by-step instructions for the Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf series may not be readily available, the repair process reflects established techniques for servicing antique mechanical kitchen clocks. For best results, consulting detailed horological guides or a professional clock restorer familiar with Canadian-made Arthur Pequegnat clocks is recommended.
In this process of restoring the vintage Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock, the repair involves servicing the clock mechanism, which includes replacing worn bushings and addressing issues like scoring on pivots. This significant home-and-garden project also includes the use of technology, such as proper bushing removal tools and fine drill bits. Restoring this piece of vintage craftsmanship not only follows the general lifestyle of clock enthusiasts but also highlights the intricate gadgets within antique clocks. Despite the challenges encountered during the repair, such as aligning bent steel plates, the ultimate goal is to ensure the clock functions properly once again, returning it to its original ticking glory.
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