The Learning Clock

  For over sixty years, a tiny carriage clock sat in the china cabinet being silent.  Nary a tick could be forced from the antique clock.  The little brass clock was "old" when Mom came to possess it (meaning we had no idea the age...just old).  Mom always wished it would be repaired but never had the money to pay a professional clocksmith to look at it.  Several kinfolks did attempt to get the clock working but to no avail.  The clock sat idle.  Occasionally, Mom would take the clock out of the cabinet, look at it longingly and, then, return it to the shelf.  

  Late in life, Mom gifted the little clock to me because, like her, I would keep the clock safe with hopes that it would eventually keep time.  Well, that was some 20 years ago and the clock was nothing more than a paperweight.  I was too intimidated to open it up and look at its innards.  Then, this clock repair craze hit me.  My kids were after me to "learn something new" to help the old brain stay active.  I was at a loss as to what to learn but I sure knew that math was out of the question!  "I want to learn clock repair!"  I had no idea where that came from but it spilled out of the mouth so here we are.  I am learning antique clock repair.  Over the past year, I have purchased over a dozen antique clocks that were in disrepair.  Most of these only needed cleaning and oiling which was a good way to start.  (Word of advice...never jump into a major thing...take baby steps.)  Now I was ready to attempt an actual repair job.  I eyed the little carriage clock.  I will be the first to admit that I was a tad nervous.  "What if I totally broke Mom's clock?"  Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

  Since the clock had been fiddled with by others, there were scratches and dents where scratches and dents did not need to be.  I opened the back and sat looking at the inner workings.  None of my other clocks looked like this.  So...big step into the unknown!  I tinkered!  It was then that I realized that the clock was not staying wound.  Ha!  That little doomaflatchy right there was the problem. (Yeah, I still do not know the name of the part.  Working on that.)  Since there was a screw holding the little thing in place, it should be a simple fix...only my screwdriver was too fat.  At that very moment, Son walked into the room.  Aha!  "Hey, I need a very, very flat screwdriver!"  He soon came back with a set and proceeded to loosen the screw for me.  (Arthritic hands need help now and again.) "So, it is loose.  What do you want me to do with it?"  I positioned the tiny part and told him to tighten the screw again.  

  After a good cleaning, oiling and winding, the clock is now in working order!  Why did the others not see that easy fix?  I have no idea but I am now one happy camper.  I am sure Mom is smiling at her little carriage clock.   Sometimes, it pays to hang onto things that are broken.   This one was a learning tool.