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Very Tight Center Arbor Clutch "Click" to Login or Register 
Picture of William Chappell
posted
I just overhauled an English Smiths Westminster floating balance movement. It's doing great, but any minute hand adjustments are very difficult. I normally don't lubricate this spring, but wouldn't it make sense to lube it when there is this much pressure? I observed the minute hand had been silver soldered at some point. If the client attempts to adjust time from the outer portion of the minute hand, it will definitely break again. Your thoughts please.

Bill
 
Posts: 30 | Location: Mountain Top, Pennsylvania USA | Registered: November 20, 2005
Picture of Greg Reeves
posted
Although I've never oiled these...I have loosened them up a couple of times.
 
Posts: 497 | Location: Genoa, New York U.S.A. | Registered: November 06, 2003
posted
If that minute hand has been soldered Bill I'd say thats a problem with some history behind it.Like Greg I"m not above loosening up the tensioners and to be honest with you I don't think a drop of oil on your clutch would be the end of the world.
Respectfully,Bob Fullerton
 
Posts: 181 | Location: New Castle, Delaware U.S.A. | Registered: December 15, 2004
Picture of Greg Reeves
posted
how'd you make out with this?
 
Posts: 497 | Location: Genoa, New York U.S.A. | Registered: November 06, 2003
Picture of William Chappell
posted
I just got back to the Smiths. (was waiting for a new bezel to arrive before pulling the movement again). After applying oil to the clutch and all pressure points on the center arbor, hand adjustment now seems normal. So, it appears ultrasonic cleaning removed all traces of old lubricant leaving me with extreme center arbor friction due to brass turning against steel under pressure. The lubricant decreased the friction adequately to correct the hand adjustment problem.

Bill
 
Posts: 30 | Location: Mountain Top, Pennsylvania USA | Registered: November 20, 2005
posted
Good solution. This works for a multitude of English and German clocks. Beware, though, of using an excess of oil on the clutch of an old Gilbert( pin clutch) or Sessions.(pressure fit) You then have to disassemble and start all over again.

Bill
 
Posts: 6 | Location: Central Florida in the USA | Registered: May 10, 2011
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