Phinney Walker Clock Repair

[Thanha Laipple]

Hi, I found this tiny clock at a yard sale knowing it was not working.  It was cute and tiny and I liked it anyways.  It was wound all the way and not working.  I cannot remove the last 2 knobs on the back to get a look inside.  The knobs that adjust the hands is what is not easy to get off.  Is it worth getting it repaired professionally? and how much would it cost?  The model is PW250 and I couldn't find any info for it online.  Any suggestion?

[Robert Ain]

Hi,

The hands setting knob is typically a push fit on a stem inside the clock.  Getting the knob off will not really help you get a look inside.

If fully wound, please be careful in taking apart.   The internal spring, when wound, is very powerful. If you are not familiar with springs on clocks, I would strongly suggest you do not go further in disassembling the clock and leave it to a professional who fully understands how this clock operates.

I don't know the exact value of the clock, but usually they are not valuable enough to have repaired.  I suggest you do some research to find the value and that will guide you into deciding whether it is worth repairing.

Good luck

Rob

[Steve Skibicki]

Did you try to unscrew the knobs?  Some of these are a press fit also.

If you succeed in getting into it be very careful. This is a balance wheel movement and the slightest mistep can break the balance pivots or ruin the hairspring. Try to refrain from spraying anything into it or squirting oil. Neither will help the clock.

The clock may not be running because one of the balance pivots may be broken . Dirt and dry oil is another reason that it may not run.

All repairs are unique and need to be examined by the repair person first. A cleaning may solve your problem but like all clocks it may have some worn bearings and unless these are taken care of the clock will not run .

I would stay away from non running clocks at yard sales and or dealers  unless you are prepared to pay for repairs.  This is a small clock that you most likely paid little for but the repair  will be expensive in comparison.

[Thanha Laipple]

Is it wrong to spray paint a clock?  If the gold color casing, knob foot, bells, etc is scratched or worn off?  I'm tempted to do so with an old windup but not sure if that messes with in too much case someone want to restore it one day properly.   If so, what paint should I be looking at?