Full Answer
How does a regulator clock work?
Regulator Clock – The Works work. Some mechanical clocks are regulated by pendulums. Those clocks can’t be wandering around. The pendulum must swing an equal distance to each side of a center line that runs through the escapement. That center line needs to be plumb and fixed so it doesn’t move.
How accurate are regulator clocks?
Regulator clocks, the most accurate form of pendulum clocks, were invented in the mid-18th century in a quest for greater timekeeping precision. They were weight-driven devices and featured a deadbeat escapement (an improvement on the anchor design). To ensure their accuracy, they usually omitted complicated features like calendars.
What is a Vienna regulator clock?
The Vienna Regulator is a particular style of clock made in Germania or the Austrian empire. They are characterized by finely crafted (ornate at times) cases with accurate movements. While they were capable of keeping good time, they were not designed as a precision instrument and were not capable of extreme accuracy.
What is the difference between a pendulum clock and a regulator?
If the clock was designed as a precision pendulum clock it can be called a regulator. The principle features of a regulator clock are: A heavy pendulum (not necessarily mercury), Generally eight-day movement, though some are more than 8 days, Has some form of temperature control compensation, Features a deadbeat or pinwheel escapement and
What is a regulator clock used for?
Regulator clocks of this kind were not made for formal use and were both expensive and delicate. Designed to achieve a high level of accuracy, they were used for astronomical observations and for regulating other time pieces. The Society's clock is equipped with both minute and second hands.
Why are some clocks called regulators?
Definition of a regulator Regulator clocks were invented in the late 18th century as a quest for greater timekeeping accuracy. If the clock was designed as a precision pendulum clock it can be called a regulator.
What is the difference between a clock and a regulator?
Regulator. Not to be confused with longcase clocks, the regulator is more often a standing floor clock. This clock is a scientific instrument of time and noted for its accuracy. All the details of its construction were to improve the accuracy of the movement.
What is a regulator clock called?
More accurate pendulum clocks, called regulators, were installed in places of business and railroad stations and used to schedule work and set other clocks.
How accurate is a regulator clock?
Regulators were first developed in England around 1720. Typical clocks of the day were only accurate to within about 5 minutes per week. But regulators, such as the one shown at right, powered by a weighted and geared mechanism, could be accurate to within 10 seconds per month when properly adjusted.
How do you wind a regulator clock?
How to Wind a Pendulum ClockLocate the winding points on the clock face. ... Insert the key or crank into a winding point. ... Continue turning the key or crank until it won't turn any further. ... Wind the other one or two winding points the same way if your clock chimes on the hour or quarter-hour.
How do you set a 31 day regulator wall clock?
How to Wind Up a 31 Day ClockStep One: Open the Clock Face. Try to wind the clock as close to the time when it stopped as possible. ... Step Two: Locate the Clock Key. ... Step Three: Place the Clock Key Into the Right Side Winding Hole. ... Step Four: Listen For the Correct Sound. ... Step Five: Inspect the Clock One Week After Winding.
Who made the regulator clock?
The Englishmen Benjamin Vulliamy and James Harrison invented two of the earliest regulators between 1760 and 1780.
What is a crystal regulator clock?
It is call a “crystal regulator” because it has glass on all four sides (in this case all the glass is beveled). The pendulum is the regulator and in this clock the pendulum contains two glass vials with mercury. These glass vials if damaged are now replaced with faux ones as mercury is no longer readily available.
Are Seth Thomas clocks valuable?
A very large, limited edition Seth Thomas mantel clock from the early days of the clock maker's history sold for $2,000 on eBay. It was in excellent condition. An 1880s Seth Thomas clock with mahogany and adamantine in excellent condition sold for $550.
Do pendulum clocks need batteries?
Little did I know back then, but pendulum clocks don't need batteries at all! And the pendulum itself? It may seem like it's just idling around, serving no real purpose as it swings to and fro, but that action is actually what keeps the clock accurate to the second.
How long do pendulum clocks last?
Most are made to be able to go about a week without winding. "Traditionally, longcase clocks were made with two types of movement: eight-day and one-day (30-hour) movements.
How does a regulator wall clock work?
In this type of clock, the regulator is a pointer fastened to the balance wheel itself. Gently hold the balance wheel with two fingers, and move the regulator in the direction needed (towards F for faster or towards S for slower). Move it only a small amount each time.
What is a schoolhouse clock?
American Schoolhouse wall clocks were sometimes called regulator wall clocks because of the stenciled word "Regulator" on its lower glass on many models. These Schoolhouse clocks were the standard design for early school houses because of their larger, easy to read dials.
Why do clocks have pendulums?
pendulum, body suspended from a fixed point so that it can swing back and forth under the influence of gravity. Pendulums are used to regulate the movement of clocks because the interval of time for each complete oscillation, called the period, is constant.
When were regulator clocks invented?
Regulator clocks, the most accurate form of pendulum clocks, were invented in the mid-18th century in a quest for greater timekeeping precision. They were weight-driven devices and featured a deadbeat escapement (an improvement on the anchor...
Who invented the regulator clock?
The Englishmen Benjamin Vulliamy and James Harrison invented two of the earliest regulators between 1760 and 1780. Despite this British lineage, regulator clocks were not especially well received in England, but they were in Vienna, where the form flourished.
What was the Vienna regulator clock made of?
During the Empire period (1800-1835) in Vienna, the cases of antique pendulum wall clocks were typically made of wood, which was either polished or gilded.
What is a regulator?
My definition of a regulator is a seconds beating precision timepiece. (i.e. only indicates time.)
Where is the Cesium clock located?
The Cesium clock in Boulder Colorado is the current standard SI timekeeper.
Is quartz clock accurate?
Quartz clocks are FAR from being the most accurate clocks around. If you're looking for the ultimate regulator currently in use in the US look to NIST. They have used the following definition of a second since 1967:
Do regulators have seconds?
Since regulators are generally used for regulation of or comparison to other devices, I would add that a good regulator ought to have a seconds indicator. Otherwise, the precision is wasted.
Is a school house regulator spring driven?
Most school house regulator s that I have seen are not deadbeat escapements but recoil escapements. They are also spring driven. I don't think that it was possible to make a precision movement with those characteristics at the time those clocks were made. Therefore, the word regulator is just hype.
How does a mechanical clock work?
Those clocks can’t be wandering around. The pendulum must swing an equal distance to each side of a center line that runs through the escapement. That center line needs to be plumb and fixed so it doesn’t move. This requirement makes the back board the most critical piece of the clock case.
What is the wood used for the clock in a clock case?
The board is cherry faced plywood (ouch it hurts to use that word / stuff). It is wide enough to be concerned about movement, so I relented to using plywood . It is drilled with 3 holes along the top edge and 3 along the bottom for fastening the board to the rest of the case. The four larger inset holes are for mounting the clock movement. Insetting whose holes keeps steel nuts from scraping on a wall. The four smaller countersunk holes are for mounting the chime block.
Who is the conservator of the Willard clock?
I recently went to the Willard Clock museum and heard a talk from their conservator, David Gow ( http://willardhouse.org/staff-board/ ). Part of his talk related to bringing a clock back “in beat” when it is moved so it will run properly.
What are regulators?
It is not difficult to define a “regulator” by its mechanical characteristics. Regulator clocks were invented in the late 18th century as a quest for greater timekeeping accuracy. If the clock was designed as a precision pendulum clock it can be called a regulator. The principle features of a regulator clock are: 1 Quality weight driven device, 2 With maintaining power, 3 A heavy pendulum (not necessarily mercury), 4 Generally eight-day movement, though some are more than 8 days, 5 Has some form of temperature control compensation, 6 Has a seconds dial, 7 Is 60 beats per minute, 8 Has one gear train 9 Features a deadbeat or pinwheel escapement and 10 Is expressly engineered to keep accurate time.
What is a Vienna regulator?
The Vienna Regulator is a particular style of clock made in Germania or the Austrian empire. They are characterized by finely crafted (ornate at times) cases with accurate movements. While they were capable of keeping good time, they were not designed as a precision instrument and were not capable of extreme accuracy. They have some but not all the characteristics of a regulator but they are not a true regulator. While the Vienna Regulator may not be true regulator it reflected not only the style and craftsmanship of the period they were made but the quest for accuracy. No one can argue that the best workmanship and attention to detail were put into the many clocks that were produced during what some might call the pinnacle of clock design and engineering.
What is an example of a Pequegnat regulator?
Example number 1. Arthur Pequegnat Regulator #1, A Handsome Clock, fitted with a Movement which is un-excelled”, Beautiful Finish on both Movement and Case, (Arthur Pequegnat advertisement)
When was the Vienna clock made?
This is an Austro-Hungarian era time-only weight driven clock made in the early 1870s. Many would accept this as a Vienna Regulator and would have no hesitation advertising it as such. It has a deadbeat escapement, it has one weight, is a time-only movement, has a heavy pendulum, with an eight day running time and has maintaining power.
Is a clock a regulator?
Every clock that has the word regulator on it is not a regulator . Think about it. Why would a clock manufacturer put the word “regulator ” on a clock? It is simply a marketing ploy. The term “regulator” is one that connotes accuracy but in the frantic world of clock marketing it is a word that sells plenty of clocks.
Is 80 beats per minute a regulator?
However, some would argue that at 80 beats per minute it would not be considered a true regulator.
Does the addition of a strike train take a clock out of the regulator category?
Does the addition of a strike train take a clock out of the regulator category? In theory, yes. The strike train takes some of the accuracy out of the clock, as the time train produces more friction when lifting the strike levers. If we accept the definition of a regulator as an extremely accurate clock to be used as a time standard, you will not find a strike train on these clocks.
What is the identity of a clock movement?
The identity of the clock movement itself is what needs to be known in order to get a replacement. This is true for any of the other items such as the dial. So the identification is all about the clock movement only.
Why does a mechanical clock wear out?
Mechanical Clock Movement Wear. Mechanical clock movement wears out after years go by because the oil turns solid. With age, the mechanical clock movement's oil solidifies and becomes black and sticky. By the time 20 or 30 years go by, the oil has solidified and is creating wear on the brass plates of the movement.
How long does a Hermle clock last?
This is good for when you need a component such as a pendulum or a dial, or a complete clock kit. A Hermle Clock Movement generally lasts 25 to as much as 40 years. We usually get calls to replace units that were built in the early 80's or late 70's.
What does a Jauch clock say?
Jauch clock movements have little identification markings to go by. Often it will be as simple as a 77 or 78 before some other numbers. It may only say PL 77 or PL 116 also. If the movement says Jauch and some other numbers, it is the Jauch clock movement company who made it.
Why is my clock chiming?
With the pivot holes oblong, the holes are pinching the pivots and creating resistance in the gear train. With the solidified oil and the pinched pivots, the clock will eventually stop working or chiming.
How to get anything for a clock movement?
To get anything for a clock movement from Clockworks we first need to identify the mechanical clock movement. This is done by decoding the identification markings on the back plate of the movement itself. By knowing what the movement is, it can be replaced with a new mechanical clock movement. Purchase parts such as a pendulum.
How long does it take to put a clock movement in?
The new clock movement can then be put in by someone with experience in 10 or 15 minutes. A person with no experience will take longer, but the point is that it isn't hard to do. This is definitely a new clock movement benefit. There are some instances where a clock case was made in an annoying way that makes it more difficult, but for clock movements that were in a mass production this is not the situation. This relates more to a few individual clockmakers who's design of the case makes it more tricky to get the new clock movement in or out.
