President's Message - November 2015

GEORGE GAGLINI - It has been my pleasure to serve as President of Chapter 190 for 2014 and 2015.  In these years I have seen our chapter continue to grow in membership (176 members as of last count) and vigorously pursue its mission to preserve and encourage interest in and appreciation of the art and science of timekeeping, timepieces and all things horological.

In past mini-workshops and monthly meeting programs, Chapter 190’s enthusiasts learned how to anneal metal without using flame, and the best way to pack precious and delicate clocks for safe shipment by commercial carriers.  In a recent 2015 meeting program, members and guests discovered the secrets behind “mystery clocks.”  In yet another, we marveled at a series of ingenious homemade tools that help in clock repair and restoration.   Every monthly meeting is packed with information and designed to raise  interest and provide answers to questions attendees may have in the ever-expanding world of horological knowledge.

Monthly meetings are a vital part of chapter life.  But they are only a part of it. From its inception, Chapter 190 has concentrated on education, providing workshops and presentations to the public and Field Suitcase Workshops to those who desire to sharpen their skills, learn new ones and enhance their abilities to repair, service or restore clocks and watches.  On a regular basis, Chapter 190 provides two-day public workshops at various Ventura and Santa Barbara County venues in which beginners are taught the essentials of clock and watch collecting, basic timekeeping theory and how to disassemble and re-assemble a clock movement.  Many of these beginners move on to become students in Field Suitcase Workshops such as the FSW 101, the primary course where students learn how to repair and restore time-and-strike American clock movements, or the FSW 301 which teaches the basic repair and restoration of pocket watches.

In 2014 and 2015 Chapter 190 produced its Annual Marts; one directed by Ralph Napolitano and the second by Sue Gary and Donna Gaglini.  It takes a lot to put forth a good Annual Mart and Ralph, Sue and Donna had plenty of help from hard working Chapter members.  Profits from the 2015 Annual Mart were donated to NAWCC so that the National education department could purchase a first class video camera for their new programs.  Add to all of the above the critically acclaimed Chapter 190 newsletter and the Chapter 190 Web Page (www.NAWCC-CH190.com) that is packed with information and important links to the world of horology.  Put it all together and realize why Chapter 190 continues to provide for its members and guests excitement, enthusiasm and excellence.

November’s meeting, the last of the year, will feature a program by Dave Weisbart in which he will present the clock he designed and created that has been entered in the NAWCC National Crafts Competition.

So note on your calendar Sunday, November 15, 2015 as the day you visit Chapter 190 at the Ventura College Student Center for an unforgettable meeting, program and of course the best five dollar lunch in town.

The Weakest Link - Tales From The Bench

Fusee showing damaged hook attachment point.

FERDINAND GEITNER - A beautiful triple fusee English Bracket Clock, chiming on 8 bells came by my shop recently with what the customer thought was a broken spring. Fusee springs are powerful and more often than not it’s the chain (or line) that breaks but in this case I was surprised to find the pin that holds the hook of the chain in the fusee had ripped out of the brass. The broken section was too far gone to be repaired so the only satisfactory and safe solution was to move the pin to another position along the groove into more “solid” material. It’s very important that the hook be able to freely rotate on the pin. To achieve this I had to increase the depth of the groove in the new position to accommodate the hook.

A diamond-impregnated wheel being used to modify the fusee to provide a new anchor point for the hook


Modification complete showing newly installed anchor pin

Fortunately we have tools at our disposal which were not available when this movement was built. To extend the cutout in the fusee one could use a small diameter circular saw blade which would have less tendency to travel sideways but I used one of my round diamond-impregnated disks on a dental drill. This drill sits very comfortably in my hand. I really like the feel of it as it allows one to apply just the right amount of pressure in the right direction.

The last operation involves the correct and secure placement of the pin. First, I measured the position of the original pin from the edge of the fusee then drilled a hole in the new location ensuring enough material was present to prevent the same failure from occurring. The hole was drilled slightly smaller than the new pin’s diameter. Then using a broach, I tapered the hole from the bottom (the gear side) so if it were to work loose over the years it would not fall out easily. After inserting the slightly tapered pin I gently tapped the ends to widen them for a tight fit. The movement is now in its case keeping perfect time for its owner.

Edge-wise view of the repair

The beautifully crafted movement back in its case ready for many more years of service