Kitchen Clock Maintenance (Part 2) - Comprehensive Guide on Cleaning, Pivot Polishing, Bushing Work, and Testing for Pequegnat Clocks

Kitchen Clock Maintenance (Part 2) - Comprehensive Guide on Cleaning, Pivot Polishing, Bushing Work, and Testing for Pequegnat Clocks

In a recent restoration project, a vintage Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock, known among collectors as the "Pointed Top," has been brought back to life after a thorough overhaul. This gingerbread-style clock, part of the Maple Leaf series produced up to 1941, was acquired in an antique store in Bloomfield, Ontario.

The clock, initially advertised as non-running, required a series of repairs to get it ticking again. A broken helper spring on the hammer side was replaced with a new one, and one of the pivots had small scoring, but the rest were in good shape. A past repairer had performed a poor repair job on the clock, causing damage to a pivot. To address this, the movement was sent off for professional repairs.

The clock's movement underwent cleaning, drying, and mainspring oiling, followed by pivot polishing using an emery board for smoother operation. The escape wheel required bushing work due to problematic bushing wear, and new bushings were installed, though there was a concern about cutting into the steel due to off-center pressed brass inserts for the bushings.

Reassembly of the movement was necessary, and it was found that the steel plates were bent, making alignment difficult. After careful reassembly, the balance wheel was adjusted to regulate timing, and the clock was tested for smooth, consistent operation. The mainspring was checked for strength, and any irregular noises were silenced to ensure proper gear engagement.

Following the mechanical repairs, the clock case was ready for painting. Before painting, the case was cleaned, sanded, and prepared to ensure the new paint would adhere properly. The dial, which was beginning to flake, was repainted with the right combination of colours to preserve its original appearance.

With the clock reassembled, tested, and painted, it now sits on the test stand, expected to run for years to come. This restoration project not only revived a piece of Canadian-made clockmaking history but also added a unique piece to a collector's treasure trove.

[1] Balancing and regulating the escapement is crucial for timekeeping, and checking mainspring condition is important as weak springs affect performance.

[1] The refurbished Pointed Top vintage Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock, now ticking consistently, underwent crucial escapement balancing and mainspring condition checks to improve its lifestyle as a home-and-garden gadget.

[2] The allure of technology lies not only in its innovation but also in the preservation of vintage designs, as demonstrated by the careful servicing of the antique Maple Leaf series clocks like the restored Pointed Top.

[3] As part of a home-and-garden collection, the revitalized vintage clocks like the Pointed Top Maple Leaf kitchen clock can add an authentic charm, merging old-world craftsmanship with modern technology.

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