Equilibrium in flux: Balance no longer maintains its suspended state
In a recent update on the Dugena mantel clock project, the author reported that the clock seemed to be in good condition after cleaning its parts. This German retail clock, with its floating balance movement, has been a challenging yet rewarding restoration project.
The floating balance system, a common feature in mechanical clocks since the 1950s, offers advantages such as robustness, dependability, and resistance to disturbance. However, like any mechanical device, it can face issues that affect its performance.
Common reasons for sluggish floating balance performance include friction, insufficient power from the mainspring or driving weight, imbalance or excessive inertia in the balance wheel, and issues with the escapement or lubrication.
In the case of the Dugena mantel clock, potential causes included friction in the pivots or bearings, a weak mainspring tension, an imbalanced or excessively massive balance wheel, a faulty or dirty escapement mechanism, inadequate lubrication, incorrect beat adjustment, and even dirt, rust, pitting, or roughness on the wire.
To address these issues, the author focused on cleaning, lubrication, balance wheel adjustment, and ensuring proper power delivery. They cleaned and properly lubricated the pivot points and bearings with suitable watch oils, replaced or serviced the mainspring, adjusted and regulated the balance wheel's poise and mass distribution, cleaned, lubricated, and, if necessary, repaired or replaced escapement components, and properly cleaned and re-oiled the clock with the correct lubricants.
The author also encountered a problem with the thin wire resting on the banking forks (or base), causing additional friction and slow rotation. To resolve this, they ensured that the balance wheel floated on the wire that went through the cylindrical shaft, preventing the shaft from resting on the base and reducing friction.
The Dugena mantel clock features a Hermle floating balance movement, and the author had issues getting it to run reliably in the past. However, they had no trouble taking the movement apart and cleaning the parts of the clock, a testament to their persistence and dedication to the project.
Despite some minor issues during the project, the author is making steady progress. Solutions for these issues include finding a new helical torsion spring or a replacement balance wheel assembly. The author remains hopeful that, with continued efforts, the Dugena mantel clock will soon run reliably and accurately once more.
In a previous article, the author shared their frustrations with the Dugena mantel clock, but now, they are one step closer to successfully restoring this vintage timepiece. Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating project.
Vintage clocks like the Dugena mantel clock can be considered gadgets of technology, showcasing the advancements in timekeeping throughout history. To maintain its performance, some modern mechanical clocks, including the Dugena, require regular maintenance, such as cleaning, lubrication, and balance wheel adjustment, to ensure proper power delivery and avoid issues like friction, weak mainspring tension, and imbalanced balance wheels.
