Mantel Clocks are relatively small house clocks usually paced on the shelf or mantel above a fireplace .  First developed in France they were distinguished from earlier chamber clocks because of their lack of carrying handles. They range from simple, solid designs to extremely ornate decorative ones. The highly ornate and decorative works of mantel clocks are usually made up of materials such as wood, ormolu, and porcelain or a combination of these materials.

One of the early designers for the Mantel clock (shelf clocks) was Simon Willlard.  The clock was a economical clock produced by the Simon Willard’s Roxbury Street workshop in Boston Massachusetts around the first part of the 19^th Century.  Simon Willard’s shelf clocks were weight-driven and had a pinwheel escapement. Their strike mechanism was the rack and snail. The pendulum length could be adjusted through a hole in the clock face at the 12 o’clock position, so it wasn’t necessary to open the case. The Simon Willards clocks were produced until about the 1830’s and are now sought by antiquarians and museums. A perfect Simon Willards clock has a value of $50,000 to $250,000.

Today there are many types and styles of Mantel Clocks to choose from including classic and traditional designs produced by companies such as Bradord Clocks, and Loricorn. A Mantel Clock will enhance your décor and add sophistication to a room or your home. Placed them on a fireplace, a shelf, on a coffee table or even on office desk, where you can add a touch of professional attractiveness. They will add a touch of elegance  to any room.

All types of Mantel Clocks, classic, traditional or Antique Mantel Clocks  make  great decor accessories.

When it comes time to decorate a room in your home or an office consider what wall clocks can do for
the décor.  Wall clocks have been part of decorating for many years and add style to a room. Most people will purchase a clock and place it ona wall in the center of a room, but does that really enhance the design or character of your room? You want to be ability to tell time but alsothe design of the clock should enhance the room.

To properly describe a decorative wall clock you should consider it a décor accent. Today Wall clocks are more than just time pieces, they are décor accents.  If, for example, you have a traditional home with painted walls and traditional style furniture a decorative wall clock could add an elegant touch to your décor.

There are many different styles of wall clocks round, square, small, large; some are musical while others are time only clocks.  With so many styles and shapes it is best to decide on the scheme of your room and then decide on the shape and type of your wall clock.  Also want to consider what materials you used to create this room.  Are your walls painted, wall papered or paneled.  For example if you are dealing with a room that is mostly wood you will want to consider a wall clock that is made from natural materials. By doing this the clock will enhance your room and become the center piece.

With a little imagination, you can really add some style to a room.  Not every clock in the house like an alarm clock or the clock on the microwave needs to be decorative. But wall clocks such as pendulum clocks and cuckoo clocks have much to add to the décor of your home.  That is what turns a house into your home.

The Cuckoo land Museum located in Tabley, Cheshire, England has collected and is thought to be the largest collection
of antique cuckoo c locks that were made in the Black Forest. The collection has been brought together by brothers Roman and Maz Piekarski who, are foremost horologists and clock restorers, have sought and renovated the rarest and most notable examples over careers of thirty years. Most of the clocks in the museum are rare, unique, and combine a number of methods of time telling. You will truly be amazed by the variety, quality and ingenuity of the ancient craft of Cuckoo Clock making and the tools used to create them, which are also displayed at the museum.
The collection is always changing and preservation is now a permanent commitment. They aim  to achieve the most comprehensive and complete assembly of fine clocks of their type anywhere. Several of the cuckoo clocks are working displays others are awaiting repair and finish. As tour the museum you will hear many of the old sounds of Europe, particularly as the musical movements begin to play in tunes of the period.

The museum’s collection is regarded as the most important of its type in Britain, Europe and the rest of the world. They host a variety of Cuckoo Clocks, Quail clocks, Trumpeter clocks and other associated musical movements, all of which are varying in age and history.

Repair the Suspension Spring on a 400 day Anniversary Clock

The first step would be to purchase a good repair manual.  I might suggest the Horoloval 400 day Repair manual. This a very helpful book it has views of the back plates of many different manufactures plus some great repair information. Last time I checked you could find the book on Amazon.com for about $42.00 to $170.00 depending on it being new or used.

Next would be to get a good set of repair tools.  A good place to start looking for right tool and price range is at www.abbeyclock.com this page is for hobbyists and for clockmakers entering the profession. You need tools and the catalogs are filled with more tools than you need or can afford. They begin with inexpensive but necessary tools that you need to start with, and then continue with more expensive and necessary tools you will need to do the job correctly. They are suggesting catalog #23 from Timesavers primarily, because they provide excellent service. . You will need a micrometer to measure the thickness of different springs, a precision screwdriver set and needle nose pliers for replacing springs. Also get a clock hand remover for extracting hands and gears without damage.

The suspension spring is a thin piece of steel in the back that runs the length of the clock. If the spring is bent or missing, the clock will not run. This is the reason most anniversary clocks do not operate properly. There are four pieces to the suspension spring. The first is the spring itself, second, the spring has a brass block on top from which the entire spring hooks and suspends. Third is a brass block on the bottom of the spring to which the balls attach. The fourth piece is a fork attachment in the upper-middle section of the spring that knocks the verge wire back and forth to keep the clock running. Remove the spring and take the blocks and fork off with a screwdriver keep in mind how they are installed so it will be easier to put the new parts back into the clock.

Check the spring’s thickness with your micrometer and order a replacement. If the spring is missing, locate your clock in the repair guide and order the spring listed with it. A good place to get parts is www.norkro.com . If the spring is too thick or thin then the balls will not rotate properly and the clock will not keep proper time. Trim the length of the new spring to match the old one.

Attach the blocks to the new spring it is very important not to kink the new spring. Leave the set screws loose and insert the new spring into the block, be sure not to push the spring too far into the block. Now hold the block steady with needle-nose pliers and tighten the set screws.

Reattach the fork by screwing it to the new spring just as it was screwed to the old one. Hold the spring inside the clock to gauge the position of where the fork should go: from the ideal position, it should be able to knock the verge wire back and forth and should be positioned so it’s sticking straight out of the spring at a 90 degree angle. If placed too high, the clock will run fast.

Install the spring inside the clock and follow your anniversary clock’s operator guide to take a test run. If the test run is not successful, put the clock back in beat by carefully and cautiously adjusting the screw at the very top of the clock that controls the pendulum.