Books:

Discovered! 505
Odd Enterprises

Hidden Dollars

How to Make
Money at Home

Small Business
of Your Own

You Can Own
a Business

As a hobby, Van Horsen rebuilds and refinishes old mantel clocks. Fifty years ago almost every home regulated its activities by the musical chimes that announced each quarter hour. Now every second hand store and junk shop seem to have one or more of these long forgotten timepieces, and Van Horsen turns a neat profit on each one he finishes.

When Mr. and Mrs. Van Horsen started to furnish their home with antiques, they naturally wanted, an old mantel clock. Their first discovery was one the dealer had had for quite some time, as very few people will take the chance of buying an old clock that may need a lot of expensive repairs. It was discovered, however, that the clock could be put into tip top running order by nothing more than the use of a good cleaning solvent and an oiling. After fixing this clock, and enjoying it, Van Horsen started looking for others to finish.

The exciting part comes in refinishing the case. When you buy an old clock, it is hard to determine by its looks what will be underneath. Our grandparents did not seem to appreciate the richness of black walnut, the impressiveness of smooth marble or the glow of delicately engraved and polished brass. Oftentimes, the original finish is covered with many layers of paint and tarnish covers the brass.

THE FIRST thing, after the clock is purchased, is to determine if it can be put into running order. Sometimes a part from another discarded clock is used to replace a broken part. A word, of caution before taking the clock mechanism apart to replace a cog or spring. If this is your first experience with repairing clocks, it is advisable to mark each gear's location in relation to the matching gear. Scratch some identifying mark on each cog where they join together so that each wheel can be put back without fear of having a few parts left over. On the gears—and this is important—that operate the striking mechanism, there are various protrusions which must be in the right location so that the clock will strike properly. In a pendulum type clock, she pendulum arm must be properly adjusted so that with the pendulum swinging, the ticking of the clock will have an even beat. If off beat, bend the pendulum arm to adjust the weight and give the clock an even beat or tick.

Another reason for clocks of this type not working properly is worn bearing holes; these holes are in the brass plates that house the various gears. After years of operation, the bearing holes become enlarged. This can be corrected by peening around these enlarged holes with a ball peen hammer. Peen just enough to close the holes to the approximate size of the bearing shaft. Then redrill to the size of the shaft and replace the parts. If the main spring is broken, near one end, cut it off, punch a new hole and replace. Cutting off a small amount will make the spring a little tighter, but will not harm the clock. The workings of these clocks are quite large and easy to handle. It is not like repairing a complicated wrist watch with a magnifying glass. In fact, it is surprising how many clocks need only to be wound to be put in running order. Most of the clocks are not discarded because they are broken, but because they no longer appeal to the majority of people.

TO THE novice Van Horsen gives this advice: Invest two or three dollars in a clock and take it apart. Label and catalog each part as you remove it. Clean the parts with an old tooth brush and some solvent. When you have it back together, wind it up and it will run. You have learned a lot about clocks. Your local library may have some books that would be helpful, but the few dollars you invest in the first clock should give you all the knowledge you need.

If they are impossible to repair, the works go into a stock pile for future use on other clocks. Many of the parts are interchangeable, without alterations. A bent spring can be straightened and missing screws replaced. If the case has lots of appeal, a search is made for works that will fit it. At times an empty case is kept around for months before a complete works is found.

When the clock is made to run, the work begins on the case. After removing all decorative pieces, such as face, glass front and brass trimming, Van Horsen covers the case with a liberal coating of paint remover. Sometimes numerous coats are necessary to remove the layers of paint put on through the years. At other times, part of the case may be damaged. The holes and scratches are filled and broken pieces replaced. Since these clocks are large and ruggedly constructed, these small repairs can be made with the tools the average man has in his workshop. Therefore, if you are handy with woodworking tools, it is not much of a job to replace a split or missing piece. If the case turned out to be wood that has a nice grain, it is sanded to bring it out and given two or three coats of varnish with light sanding between each coat. The brass work that has been removed, is buffed and covered with a coat of clear lacquer. Sometimes the brass loses its color and if so, it is replated to bring out its original beauty. Most plating companies will do brass plating for individuals. A case made of a soft wood is given a couple of coats of glossy black paint or finished in the popular maple finish.

A real find is a clock in a marble case. You have a clock you will probably want to keep for yourself. Very few of our modern clocks are fashioned with such elegance and beauty as these. The case with its marble columns on each side of the face needs only a washing with a weak ammonia solution to bring out the luster.

Many people think, when they see a clock with a worn or missing face, that it is past all use. This is not true. Faces can be purchased from any jeweler and come in a variety of styles and sizes.

IT WAS not long before Van Horsen's friends saw and heard these clocks. Selling was not difficult. A clock he purchases for $2 or $3 sells for $25 to $35. This is an amazing return after only cleaning and refinishing the case. Antique and jewelry stores buy them outright or take them on consignment. Van Horsen loads five or six clocks into his car and makes the rounds of the antique stores. He invites the owners out to the car to look over the clocks. Most all are interested and take a couple on a trial or consignment basis. When they discover there is a market for mantel clocks, they buy them outright to place in their stock.

One jewelry store proprietor built a window display around six of the clocks. He did it mostly to draw attention to his store, but soon discovered people were interested in owning one for themselves.

Many people follow the classified advertisements in the daily and Sunday papers. If you are listing one mantel clock at a time for sale, readers are more inclined to call than if you state you are in business. After a few are sold, word-of-mouth is good advertising and repeat orders come from dealers as the clocks are sold. If you are not interested in selling, these mantel clocks make wonderful distinctive gifts for your friends.