You are a godsend for people starting out in this trade. I’m a retired mechanic and have started working on weight driven clocks as a hobby. Your idea’s, tips and tricks are invaluable and reflect the time and effort you have put in. Thank you for sharing your hard earned secrets!
Thanks a great deal James... Love your sense of humor ,, I started this hobby at 46 and now I,m 67 and you give me heart and a good refresher course.. You are appreciated. O and may God be with which I think He is.. John..
With my bushing attachment in the drill press, a post or pin is usually in the way of the clamps. I do most of my bushing these days with a hand reamer. I can lead the direction the hole is being cut easily by doing it slower by hand. I am envious of your large bushing assortment.
How are you james. I watched this quite some years ago. You had spinal stenosis which i have. But you were pleased with the outcome. God bless you friends.
Thanks James for sharing with us his vast knowledge without which I do not have the ability to do certain jobs, here in portugal there is no one to do this type of work and if they were not people like james this activity would have disappeared completely one more Thank you, greetings from Portugal.
hi James just want u to know how much ur videos mean to me I like the way u genuinely love clocks and u explain every thing so calm n easily n thorough from beginning to end u give me a lot f pleasure in each video bless u and feel good and have a wonderful holiday b safe ur friend mike tattoo
Thanks James for the video of the bushing, I am learning the trade & an associate member of the Bhi having done a basic course last year & doing 2 courses this year. I'm also starting the dlc course later this year. If you get a darning needle & grind the eye of the needle open then dip it in the oil container it makes a great applicator for oiling the arbors. Thanks again Robert
+ James A. Lea The Village Clockmaker Filing egg shaped hole isn't necessary IMO. I have got Gustav Becker clock from Silesia series. He had one egg shaped bushing on the front plate on strike counter wheel . I just driled it on drill press just like you wiithout filing and he works just fine. He runs now for over week and striking mechanism never failed, so I suppose he's fine and center of the hole didn't move. By the way I'm very surprised. Silesia clock, economic Gustav' Becker's movement for less rich people with hook escapement runs like high-end versions on Graham's escapement... For whole 7 days which mainspring offers him he only goes fast about 10 secs and never slows down like mainspring powered clocks just to when mainspring is almost unwind. For curious I winded the mainspring and let him run until it stops and stil kept that about 10 secs deviation. Incredible... Probably he wanted say thank you for all hours i spend with him to get it up and running back... It was very hard and big challenge for beginner in clock repair hobbyst but I did it and I',m very proud of myslef that I can save and keep peace of by the way Polish history. Yeah, Polish becuse Freiburg aka Świebodzice is Polish town, so we can say that Gustav Becker made clocks in Poland...
3:44 I have just purchased a Bergeon Bushing tool brand new full set.17th dec 2020, I just don't seem to be able to get a pivot gauge for it I don't think Bergeon make them . The kwm seems hard to get in the uk , which apparently can be used for Bergeon bushings.
Very big kittens, I have seen these KWM bushing guages on ebay very expensive. I live in the UK also I have received from HW Walsh & sons a list of Bergeon bushings sizes and next to each bush size is the numbers of the reamer that is required. I have bought a digital caliper which I measure the pivot to get the bushing size required. I would be willing to mail you my Bergeon list if you don't have one, let me know your email address and I shall send it. Or send me a reply to chadwickmalcolm71@gmail.com.
Thanks for a good video! I'm wondering why you would both counter file the worn hole AND clamp the plate down. As you say, the drill/reamer becomes self centering when the hole is counter filed. I don't have a bushing machine so I counter file but use the reamer by hand, or sometimes in a drill press rotating the spindle by hand. The way I've understood it before is that the beaty of having a bushing machine is that you can simply center with a wire or stake just as you did, and then clamp the plate down and the reamer will cut straight down, regardless of the off center hole. I think you also mentioned that in text but didn't the installation turn out to be backwards? The bearing surface appears to have been on the outside of the movement. Thanks again! Karl
Jim, @ 10:35 you advised you were "working" on the inside of the plate..... but it actually was the OUTSIDE of the back plate when you installed the bushing. Also, putting the plates together so you can use the front plate as a "guide" when BROACHING keeps the broach perpendicular to the bushing. Just FWIW! Norm
Looks like you were bushing from the outside of the back plate and you had said you always bush from the inside outward and your oilsink is on the inside?
Could you not of centred off the outside of the old bushing? I am assuming the bore and the outside of the bushing are concentric? I use an optical centre finder in my milling machine to centre on the bush outside and then drill using a centre drill to get the bore concentric and then drill to size.
You mentioned bushing from the inside, but you installed the bushing from the outside, with the oil sink on the inside of the plate. Otherwise this is the same way that I do my bushing, only I do them with a hand tool. I have never seen the KWM bushing index plate before, and I can't find it any of my catalogues. I guess they don't sell it anymore?
sooth15 Wow you are correct. I just checked my Timesavers catalog #43 and it is not listed in there anymore. If I remember correctly they were around $100 and probably not a big seller. All the best, Norm in sunny Arizona
Hi Norm, I was able to find it under "Pivot Gauge" after a bunch of searching, and they're asking a whopping 145$ (over 200$ CAD), which is absolutely ridiculous. I could make one myself for probably around 5$. Item #13483. There are some second hand ones available for close to 100$ but that's even too much for me. I don't do nearly enough bushings to justify the expense.
I just got a booklet written by Tom Seaman in it he has a simplified bushing guide for $40. the contact for kit and plans is ILOVECLOCKS1@GMAIL.COM hope that helps. Tony
I bought a measuring plate from Merritts over a year ago. Then I found my old plate I thought I lost. I am not in my shop so not sure if they still have them or not. Oddly, I have got to where I can eyeball it and choose the right size bushing.
Why have you cut the holes from the outside of the plate. I have a bushing tool and cut the holes from the inside. Is there a danger of the bushes coming out. There is a slight taper on the cutter.
I don't understand why you don't change the bottom support to the flat faced stump when pressing the bushing in so that it only presses in flush to the surface of the plate. It seems that you could eliminate a step or two in the rebushing process. Also, wouldn't it be good practice to champher the holes after reaming to eliminate those pesky burrs that would wear into the pivot? Anyway, that's a very nice arrangement you have for doing these quickly and in succession. I'd say you have a new subscriber.
i have a clockwork where all buchings are set wrong and the just put heavier weigts on it untill it runed how can i take away the old buchings and put in new ones
Just a little bit confused, aren't you supposed to use Reamer number III (2.69mm dia)? You have used drill number 3 (5.41 mm dia) or you mean 3mm dia drill? Using a drill won't make an accurate hole.
I love watching your videos and than you for shearing information. I am retired and looking for a "New" hobby. For me a new hobby and with a BIG learning curve. If I may ask a question? What causes a weak pendulum swing? I have an old Sessions movement that runs but is VERY sensitive to being level and has a very weak swing but no idea why??
Hi Ron , a weak spring , wear in the movement or shallow depth of the verge in the escape wheel. John Times of the Past Clock Repair PS James passed away and he is sorely missed. Great Craftsman
James, can you give us the name, model and other specs and supplier of the speed reducer you used to modify the drill press? also any required connection devices. thanks Paul
would it kill clock-makers to put ball bearings on the slow high-torque gears? the sad fate of most clocks is that these pivots will wear out from never being oiled and the clock will be discarded. am i missing something, or is it just that traditionally bearings have never been as cheap as modern chinese ones?
It looks like your chuck and/or bit are wobbling a bit....not running true. You ran through centering the new hole pretty quickly. That hole will be worn oblong in only one direction....away from the original circle arc because of spring pressure....as you said. When you filed that hole bigger, it seems like it's gosh-and-by golly going to find dead center. Must be a way to measure or get more precise?
Can just ask you how that tool is called that you've been using after a drill no.2? I'm trying to find it on a Polish market. Many thanks -your tutorials are brilliant-very helpful.
Agreed, the bushing should be pressed from the inside, flush to the plate. the oil sink goes on the outside, after making it flush to the plate is that is your inclination. My OCD side likes them flush!
I see a very major wobble in your drill press shaft (running way out of true).. Often that is the sacrifice when buying super cheap chinese drill presses. Something in the shaft, or taper, shank, or chuck is way out of whack on your machine. I'm surprised you're able to use it for the precision needed for replacing clock bushings.
Sorry for the negative- your process is too slow. I use a Kim bushing tool and can cut and bush the entire time side of a clock in the time you bushed one hole. I have a busy clock repair business and have great success with my process. I worked under a very experienced clockmaker for 2 years and learned the Repair business from him.
Get your facts right. You say you are on the inside when in fact you are on the outside. When bushing a pivot you do not make the oil sink on the inside it is on the outside. Anyone who thinks this is a good video needs their head testing. This video of yours is full of mistakes and should be avoided.
Old hippy, I have learned in my old age that it is totally possible to say everything you said, and not be a rude dismissive troll-like ass. Having polite conversations that don't demean folks who are trying to help others is an art form, and though there HAS been a learning curve for me, I have learned how to hold my tongue when there is absolutely nothing positive to say. You plain old fashioned make me sad, and I'm going to guess that you live in America. Don't be such a damned internet bully.
@@kerrykrishna you cant help people if you are giving the wrong info. Yes it could have been said nicer but he is right. You've given so much misinformation it's not even funny.
The late great James Lea. What a loss but while he was with us, he produced wonderful Clock repair videos. Thsnk you James. RIP.
Good job and thank you for sharing your knowledge
Thank you for sharing, thank you for your legacy
the best teacher online your style for teaching is really superb
You are a godsend for people starting out in this trade. I’m a retired mechanic and have started working on weight driven clocks as a hobby. Your idea’s, tips and tricks are invaluable and reflect the time and effort you have put in. Thank you for sharing your hard earned secrets!
Unfortunately. I think he passed away.
Thanks for sharing, love your channel!
Thanks a great deal James... Love your sense of humor ,, I started this hobby at 46 and now I,m 67 and you give me heart and a good refresher course.. You are appreciated. O and may God be with which I think He is.. John..
I wish I could spend ten years as your apprentice you know so much
Very nice informative video Mr Lea. Thank you.
Beautiful Work, thks
Thank you!! Very helpful video. Great you share your skills and talents. Hope you continue sharing. Thanks
Thanks for this: very interesting.
wow!! You are amazing and proffesional... I LOVE HAND MADE REAL WORK!!!
Great Video. Just started a job as a clock repairmen 2 months ago. learning a lot!
With my bushing attachment in the drill press, a post or pin is usually in the way of the clamps. I do most of my bushing these days with a hand reamer. I can lead the direction the hole is being cut easily by doing it slower by hand. I am envious of your large bushing assortment.
Hey James your a great clocksman thank you for your clock experience you taught me just what I needed to know thanks again.
Thank you from UK. I enjoyed that immensly. Good luck.
How are you james. I watched this quite some years ago. You had spinal stenosis which i have. But you were pleased with the outcome. God bless you friends.
Another great job, thanks. keep them comming. Greg
This is AMAZING - just finding now in late Feb 2021. I hope you're still in business, and in any case, wish you a healthy and better 2021.
Hello James, another entertaining video, please keep them coming, from Wayne in the U.K.
Thanks for the video. I learn something new every time.
Beautiful capture and professional job.
I sadly suspect that James has passed. I hope the family is ok.This guy was a clock making genius
Jim, It's Dave Fletcher. I find clock repair interesting to watch.
Thanks James for sharing with us his vast knowledge without which I do not have the ability to do certain jobs, here in portugal there is no one to do this type of work and if they were not people like james this activity would have disappeared completely one more Thank you, greetings from Portugal.
hi James just want u to know how much ur videos mean to me I like the way u genuinely love clocks and u explain every thing so calm n easily n thorough from beginning to end u give me a lot f pleasure in each video bless u and feel good and have a wonderful holiday b safe ur friend mike tattoo
Thanks James for the video of the bushing, I am learning the trade & an associate member of the Bhi having done a basic course last year & doing 2 courses this year. I'm also starting the dlc course later this year.
If you get a darning needle & grind the eye of the needle open then dip it in the oil container it makes a great applicator for oiling the arbors.
Thanks again
Robert
Great video, thank you Sir!
Thanks for sharing
Very helpful !
Thanks for sharing.🕰🙂
GREAT VIDEO !!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
Really Great video. Thank you :)
Excellent
thanks, just getting started on trying to fix some clocks
good job
Thank you for this video james I'm learning too much iFixit clock in the spring Hill Florida and I appreciate you video
+
James A. Lea The Village Clockmaker
Filing egg shaped hole isn't necessary IMO. I have got Gustav Becker clock from Silesia series. He had one egg shaped bushing on the front plate on strike counter wheel . I just driled it on drill press just like you wiithout filing and he works just fine. He runs now for over week and striking mechanism never failed, so I suppose he's fine and center of the hole didn't move. By the way I'm very surprised. Silesia clock, economic Gustav' Becker's movement for less rich people with hook escapement runs like high-end versions on Graham's escapement... For whole 7 days which mainspring offers him he only goes fast about 10 secs and never slows down like mainspring powered clocks just to when mainspring is almost unwind. For curious I winded the mainspring and let him run until it stops and stil kept that about 10 secs deviation. Incredible... Probably he wanted say thank you for all hours i spend with him to get it up and running back... It was very hard and big challenge for beginner in clock repair hobbyst but I did it and I',m very proud of myslef that I can save and keep peace of by the way Polish history. Yeah, Polish becuse Freiburg aka Świebodzice is Polish town, so we can say that Gustav Becker made clocks in Poland...
3:44 I have just purchased a Bergeon Bushing tool brand new full set.17th dec 2020, I just don't seem to be able to get a pivot gauge for it I don't think Bergeon make them . The kwm seems hard to get in the uk , which apparently can be used for Bergeon bushings.
Very big kittens, I have seen these KWM bushing guages on ebay very expensive. I live in the UK also I have received from HW Walsh & sons a list of Bergeon bushings sizes and next to each bush size is the numbers of the reamer that is required. I have bought a digital caliper which I measure the pivot to get the bushing size required. I would be willing to mail you my Bergeon list if you don't have one, let me know your email address and I shall send it. Or send me a reply to chadwickmalcolm71@gmail.com.
@@malcolmchadwick4047 Hi Malcolm my email is stephenbaguley4849@gmail.com
Thanks for your videos James. It is good to have you back among us once again 😊
All the best,
Norm in sunny Arizona
Thanks for a good video!
I'm wondering why you would both counter file the worn hole AND clamp the plate down. As you say, the drill/reamer becomes self centering when the hole is counter filed. I don't have a bushing machine so I counter file but use the reamer by hand, or sometimes in a drill press rotating the spindle by hand. The way I've understood it before is that the beaty of having a bushing machine is that you can simply center with a wire or stake just as you did, and then clamp the plate down and the reamer will cut straight down, regardless of the off center hole.
I think you also mentioned that in text but didn't the installation turn out to be backwards? The bearing surface appears to have been on the outside of the movement.
Thanks again!
Karl
He did it backwards! Lmao !
Jim, @ 10:35 you advised you were "working" on the inside of the plate..... but it actually was the OUTSIDE of the back plate when you installed the bushing.
Also, putting the plates together so you can use the front plate as a "guide" when BROACHING keeps the broach perpendicular to the bushing.
Just FWIW!
Norm
Yes, I know. I turned 80 last month and am prone to stupid mistakes.
Happens to the best of Jim, keep on truckin!
Norm
I appreciate you going into detail on these projects. Thanks for the video.
Now I know what a broach is for! Fab D
Well I learned a Ton of INFO, ON NOT what to do,, TYVM!
8:45 et seq. Surely you need to replace that bent drill ?
Really great, I have a pinvise for broaching but your handle ones look a lot more efficient.. how man do you need. To cover your clockmaking...
Looks like you were bushing from the outside of the back plate and you had said you always bush from the inside outward and your oilsink is on the inside?
Why wouldnt they have made bushings where you can just press them out to replace them? Seems so much better.
Could you not of centred off the outside of the old bushing? I am assuming the bore and the outside of the bushing are concentric? I use an optical centre finder in my milling machine to centre on the bush outside and then drill using a centre drill to get the bore concentric and then drill to size.
You mentioned bushing from the inside, but you installed the bushing from the outside, with the oil sink on the inside of the plate.
Otherwise this is the same way that I do my bushing, only I do them with a hand tool. I have never seen the KWM bushing index plate before, and I can't find it any of my catalogues. I guess they don't sell it anymore?
sooth15 Wow you are correct. I just checked my Timesavers catalog #43 and it is not listed in there anymore. If I remember correctly they were around $100 and probably not a big seller.
All the best,
Norm in sunny Arizona
Hi Norm, I was able to find it under "Pivot Gauge" after a bunch of searching, and they're asking a whopping 145$ (over 200$ CAD), which is absolutely ridiculous. I could make one myself for probably around 5$. Item #13483. There are some second hand ones available for close to 100$ but that's even too much for me. I don't do nearly enough bushings to justify the expense.
I just got a booklet written by Tom Seaman in it he has a simplified bushing guide for $40. the contact for kit and plans is ILOVECLOCKS1@GMAIL.COM hope that helps.
Tony
Just use a digital caliper on the pivot in mm mode. Choose a bushing with a slightly smaller bore and broach it to fit.
I bought a measuring plate from Merritts over a year ago. Then I found my old plate I thought I lost. I am not in my shop so not sure if they still have them or not. Oddly, I have got to where I can eyeball it and choose the right size bushing.
Why have you cut the holes from the outside of the plate. I have a bushing tool and cut the holes from the inside. Is there a danger of the bushes coming out. There is a slight taper on the cutter.
I don't understand why you don't change the bottom support to the flat faced stump when pressing the bushing in so that it only presses in flush to the surface of the plate. It seems that you could eliminate a step or two in the rebushing process. Also, wouldn't it be good practice to champher the holes after reaming to eliminate those pesky burrs that would wear into the pivot?
Anyway, that's a very nice arrangement you have for doing these quickly and in succession. I'd say you have a new subscriber.
Why would you put the oil sink on the inside of the plate? And wouldn't doing so also effect the end shake.
It is a critical error on the installers part. You NEVER put it on the inside. That's just stupid.
@@derekr7814 Looks like a made an error there and failed to catch it. He obviously knows better and your response should have been kinder!
The is gold
هذا الرجال استاذ ممتاز، 🌹🌹🌹🌹
i have a clockwork where all buchings are set wrong and the just put heavier weigts on it untill it runed how can i take away the old buchings and put in new ones
James Alden Lea was born on September 30, 1936, in Warren, Ohio, and passed away on August 9, 2018
May he rest in peace.
uhm, so what was the process before a fancy drill presses?? I've got this problem at home and can't wait to rebush it
James passed away and he is sorely missed. Great Craftsman
May he rest in time. Horologists always make for gentle souls
very helpful - Thanks - Where did you get the speed reducer? I'd like to do the same thing.
Is that aluminum that you made your metal base and clamps out of?
Just a little bit confused, aren't you supposed to use Reamer number III (2.69mm dia)? You have used drill number 3 (5.41 mm dia) or you mean 3mm dia drill? Using a drill won't make an accurate hole.
I love watching your videos and than you for shearing information. I am retired and looking for a "New" hobby. For me a new hobby and with a BIG learning curve. If I may ask a question? What causes a weak pendulum swing? I have an old Sessions movement that runs but is VERY sensitive to being level and has a very weak swing but no idea why??
Hi Ron , a weak spring , wear in the movement or shallow depth of the verge in the escape wheel.
John
Times of the Past
Clock Repair
PS James passed away and he is sorely missed. Great Craftsman
@@johngilbert1752 Thanks for your information. So sorry to learn of James passing. I had no idea. Thanks, Ron
Hi James, I was wondering what the height of the clamping blocks are. Thanks for the video, I am learning a lot from them.
Tony
James, can you give us the name, model and other specs and supplier of the speed reducer you used to modify the drill press? also any required connection devices. thanks
Paul
What cleaning fluid do you use?
would it kill clock-makers to put ball bearings on the slow high-torque gears? the sad fate of most clocks is that these pivots will wear out from never being oiled and the clock will be discarded. am i missing something, or is it just that traditionally bearings have never been as cheap as modern chinese ones?
It looks like your chuck and/or bit are wobbling a bit....not running true. You ran through centering the new hole pretty quickly. That hole will be worn oblong in only one direction....away from the original circle arc because of spring pressure....as you said. When you filed that hole bigger, it seems like it's gosh-and-by golly going to find dead center. Must be a way to measure or get more precise?
With what solution you clean clocks and with what you oil?
the oil is called clock oil
I bit the bullet and bought a used KWM bushing machine and have not looked back.
Was the oil well on the wrong side then?
Yes. I just turned 80 and am prone to stupid mistakes.
No problem at all. Either way I love the idea of the DP used as a pivot machine. Great stuff.
I make stupid mistakes now. What happens when I turn 80?
HAHA.I also need to know .....
Ah, but you can get away with more.
Can just ask you how that tool is called that you've been using after a drill no.2? I'm trying to find it on a Polish market. Many thanks -your tutorials are brilliant-very helpful.
Good job, but the bushing should be put in from the inside. The oil sink should be on the outside...
Tommy Chandler 11:01 exactly what he says...
You put the bushing in backwards or the oil sink on the wrong side, it appears from the shot in the video.
Agreed, the bushing should be pressed from the inside, flush to the plate. the oil sink goes on the outside, after making it flush to the plate is that is your inclination. My OCD side likes them flush!
hello, where do you get the buses?
www.merritts.com/merritts/public/default.aspx
James A. Lea The Village Clockmaker OK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
OK !
Enjoyed, how much did that clock staking tool cost?
Why so slow with such size of drill?
Please do not use a drill. You always use hand brouching tools, KWM or Begeron for finding dead center. You have more control.
Hi
I see a very major wobble in your drill press shaft (running way out of true)..
Often that is the sacrifice when buying super cheap chinese drill presses. Something in the shaft, or taper, shank, or chuck is way out of whack on your machine. I'm surprised you're able to use it for the precision needed for replacing clock bushings.
Sorry for the negative- your process is too slow. I use a Kim bushing tool and can cut and bush the entire time side of a clock in the time you bushed one hole. I have a busy clock repair business and have great success with my process. I worked under a very experienced clockmaker for 2 years and learned the Repair business from him.
ABC!
Get your facts right. You say you are on the inside when in fact you are on the outside. When bushing a pivot you do not make the oil sink on the inside it is on the outside. Anyone who thinks this is a good video needs their head testing. This video of yours is full of mistakes and should be avoided.
Old hippy, I have learned in my old age that it is totally possible to say everything you said, and not be a rude dismissive troll-like ass. Having polite conversations that don't demean folks who are trying to help others is an art form, and though there HAS been a learning curve for me, I have learned how to hold my tongue when there is absolutely nothing positive to say. You plain old fashioned make me sad, and I'm going to guess that you live in America. Don't be such a damned internet bully.
@@kerrykrishna you cant help people if you are giving the wrong info. Yes it could have been said nicer but he is right. You've given so much misinformation it's not even funny.
Way to talk to a man who died the year before you made this comment!
That drillbit is crooked as hell!!!! Why on earth are you even using it!!!!! You are doing nothing but wrecking that plate!