Packaging Tips for Shipping Clocks

If you own a small or medium size clock or gift business, you know all too well the problems shipping clocks with the hands exposed can be. Especially, when you cannot afford custom packaging. Here are some idea’s we have picked up over the years.

Protect Exposed Clock Hands:

I like to use small Styrofoam blocks that are cut to ½” to 1” square, especially with hands that are 5” or longer. 1” Styrofoam sheets are a common Home Depot item. The trays bulk clock movements are shipped in also provide another source of Styrofoam. Set the clock hands at 6:00. Very carefully slide these little Styrofoam blocks along the face of the clock and onto the ends of the clock hands. Sometimes tape or rubber bands can be used for added stability. This should help to protect the hands in most applications.

We also sell plastic hand protectors: http://www.clockparts.com/clock-parts/hand-protectors/

These are protective covers that are specifically designed to cover and protect the clock hands that are 5” overall or less. They are normally held in place with rubber bands, but in some cases tape can be used.

Protect The Exposed Hand Shaft:

Every clock movement has a shaft sticking out of it where the clock hands are installed. If the end of this hand shaft is too close to the inner wall of your packaging, then it is very easy to damage during shipping. All you have to do is use about 4”- 6” sections of cardboard tubes, rolled up double walled corrugated or about 3”-4” strips of Styrofoam blocks. Hold them in place with a rubber band around the clock. Just make sure that the cardboard tubes, or Styrofoam blocks are ¾” or more inches higher (or thicker) than the end of the hand shaft they protect.

If your clock movement is in a closed case with a glass or plastic lens, or cover it’s much easier. The primary concern in this case is “shock”. Using bubble wrap to insulate and distance the clock from the inner walls of the packaging is probably best. Try to pack as if someone might play football with your box.

Replacing A Mechanical Movement With A Battery Operated Quartz Movement

Often times this change has to be made for simple economic reasons; if the old mechanical movement is worn out, the price of a new German made mechanical movement can be very high. Sometimes it’s also just for less work and maintenance. Either way, some considerations have to be made when changing a spring wound or weight driven movement for a battery operated movement. If you think your clock may have any value, keep the original mechanical movement lightly oiled in a plastic bag and store safely.

First remove the clock hands. If you have a second hand it will normally just pull off. The minute hand (the longer one) is usually held in place by a small round nut that needs to be unscrewed, or a tapered pin which must be removed. After this minute hand hardware is removed, pull the minute hand off. The hour hand (the shorter one) is normally just pressed on and can be pulled off. Mechanical movements are usually fastened to the clock dial or the back or front of the clock case by four metal "feet".(see drawing) If you unscrew the nut holding each foot in place you will be able to remove the mechanical movement from the case. Every clock case is different, but these suggestions will work in most situations.

Once the old mechanical movement has been removed, you can measure the depth, or dial thickness at the mounting hole. It can either be just a metal clock dial, or a metal clock dial on a 1/8" - 1/4" piece of plywood. This thickness will help to determine what shaft length of a battery operated movement would be best.

Clock hands are rarely interchangeable between mechanical and battery operated movements. The good news is that you have over 40 pairs to pick from:

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-parts/hour-minute-hands/

If your clock movement has a pendulum you can see, then do not assume that your pendulum will operate on a new battery operated quartz movement. It may be too heavy. If your pendulum is 16" long or less, then all of our pendulum movements will normally operate at this length, or shorter, using one of our 16" adjustable pendulums. Just tell us which pendulum Bob (the round disc at the bottom of a pendulum) and clock hands you would like when ordering.

If you have a 16" to 25"pendulum then you can use the PD200:

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-part/pd200-heavy-duty-pendulum-drive/

And one of these 25" ADJUSTABLE pendulums:

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-part/25-adjustable-rod-bob/

If your pendulum is in the 25" to 41" range, then you need to use a separate pendulum drive that will operate a pendulum up to 8 ounces. See the PHDPD:

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-part/heavy-duty-pendulum-drive/

Taking out an old mechanical movement and replacing it with a battery operated movement can often be done in a hour or less, just get a good ruler or tape measure, a pair of needle nosed pliers and you should be "good to go" to get the battery operated movement you need. Just let us know how we can help.

Choosing a Replacement Movement - Interactive

Inevitably it will happen, you'll have to replace parts for your clock. Batteries die and leak, motors burn out, and sometimes hands can get damaged. But, that's why we're here! We can help you find the parts you need, even if you don't know very much about how your clock works.

It's not too hard, you just have to follow some instructions and take two measurements and answer four questions, that's it. Just fill in the form by clicking on the link below and we will e-mail you back with suggestions. You compare to make the final decision. Please include all requested information.

It's probably impossible to cross reference any manufacturers part numbers you may see, as you may have already learned. It's all about finding an equivalent. So let's figure this out together!

Replacement Parts Form

Choosing Clock Hands For A Replacement Movement

This simple step is often overlooked. Lot’s of people think whatever clock hands they have, will fit a new movement. Not usually true. The mounting holes are not standardized. So, if you already have the clock hands, you can just choose a similar length and style from us. If you do not have hands, then a few simple rules should be followed so you can correctly choose what you need from us.

It all starts with measuring the diameter of the clock face, or clock dial:

Take a look at this clock dial. If yours looks similar, then measure to between the 2 parallel lines outside of the 3:00 and 9:00 positions, and divide in half. Or you can measure from the center of the clock dial, To in between these 2 parallel lines, and now you know the length of your minute hand. You do not have to be exact, but be within a ¼”. It is also possible to trim hands to a shorter length. You only measure the minute hand from the mounting to the tip, so do not be concerned about the length of the hour hand, as it is typically 2/3 of the length of the minute hand. All of our hour and minute hands are sold by the pair.

You can also use press on numbers to make your clock dial. See the set of 4 digits below (12, 3, 6 &9)

Normally you would select hands that would come to about the middle of the numbers, but there is no set rule. You can also use almost anything you want to act as “numbers” or “indicators”. Try our Gold Roman or Arabic (regular) adhesive backed numbers, our metal or plastic clock dials, buttons, wood toy wheels, nuts & washers, dried flowers, upholstery tacks, poker chips or dice, seashells, stones, bottle caps, photos, almost any small object. Just be creative!

Removing A Battery Operated Clock Movement

Analog clock movements (with clock hands, not digital) don't just float in the air; they are always attached to something when they are telling time. It can be a traditional wood or metal clock case, or a novelty case such as a sea shell, mounted photo, tennis racquet or 12" vinyl record.  Almost anything. Eventually though, they get old and need to be replaced. It's pretty easy if you follow our simple instructions.

To remove the clock movement you will need to remove the clock hands first. If you have a second hand, this will normally pull off. Thin needle nosed pliers can be used to pull upward on the back of the second hand near the hub to remove.

The minute hand can either be pressed on the minute hand shaft, or held there by a small round nut (as shown above). If it's a "press on", then just pull it off. If there is a small round nut, then hold the minute hand still while turning the small round nut in a counter-clockwise direction until small round nut comes off. Gently pull the minute hand upward to remove.
Almost all hour hands are "press on", so rock hour hand gently while pulling away from the clock movement. Thin needle nosed pliers can also be used under the hour hand at the hub to assist in removing it.

Now that the clock hands have been removed, it's time to get the movement out of whatever clock case it is in. Most battery operated clock movements are installed by a system called "Center Fixation". Some type of nut is threaded onto an exposed threaded metal shaft, or interior threaded shaft, and holds the  clock movement in place by tightening the threaded nut. Unfortunately these nuts can vary widely, but they all do the same thing. So regardless of what you have, this nut  just needs to be unscrewed.  Needle nosed pliers or wrench will work for a hex nut. "Collar nuts" often have either 2 or 4 slots in the top collar that can be "persuaded" by a slotted screwdriver. Sometimes the movement itself can be unscrewed by turning counterclockwise.

Clock movements can also be held in place at the back of the case by using small screws or built in "pressure clips".  In the case of screws, then just unscrew whatever is there. With pressure clips, press both of the clips away from the movement at the same time and the movement should come free. In rare cases a double faced adhesive tape is used. Whatever method is the case, then do your best to undo whatever system may have been used to hold the clock movement in place.

Now that you have the clock movement removed from the case, get yourself a good ruler and start measuring. Replacing a battery operated movement with exactly the same model can be extremely difficult, and not necessary. Please read "First Time Clock Repair" in the Blog section of our web site.

A few careful hand shaft measurements have to be taken to determine what the best part is for you. What we need to know is the overall height of your hand shaft and the thickness of the case material that the hand shaft has to go through. Once you have these measurements you are ready to get a part number for exactly what you need.

If this is not enough help, then have all the clock parts handy, a good ruler, and give us a call at 1-888-827-2387 and input Ext.#300 for Technical Support.

When the Clock Hands Are Free, Take ‘em…!

Most of the clock movements we offer include a FREE CHOICE of multiple sets of hour and minute hands. It's your choice,. Just tell us what you want! For some reason, some customers think the hands that they currently have in their possession are going to fit a different clock movement. Rarely happens. If it does, buy a lottery ticket that day.

There is no "standardization" of the mounting holes in clock hands. It's that simple. The mounting holes in clock hands are measured to within a few thousandths of an inch, and there are dozens of possibilities.. Put your ruler away.  Unless you have good calipers or a micrometer, you are not going measure the mounting holes in clock hands. We primarily use the American "I" shaft system, but it is only popular here, and only some imported movements use it. Almost  all of our movements use the "I" shaft. The best feature of the American "I" shaft is that it uses a small round nut to lock the minute hand in place. It's very secure.

In all of our categories of clock hands, at the top of the first page on the web site, we  show an excellent profile drawing of the actual mounting hole sizes for the clock hands listed in that section. We also are sure to link every clock movement we sell with the clock hands that can be used with that movement. Just go to any movement page and click on "clock hands" at the bottom of the movement page to see our selection..

Pendulum Movements

Choosing and installing a pendulum movement requires a couple of simple, extra measurements. You need to measure the hand shaft as you normally would. (Link to First Time Clock Repair) you also need to measure the pendulum length by installing the pendulum on the movement, then measuring from the bottom of the pendulum to the center of the clock face. Also note the diameter of the pendulum bob (the round disc). Please see the drawing below:

If you are replacing an old mechanical movement with a modern battery operated quartz pendulum movement, please remember that the pendulums for mechanical movements are usually too heavy to be operated by a modern battery operated quartz movement. As long as your pendulum measures 16" or less, our adjustable pendulums will work on your clock. All you have to do is choose what size pendulum bob (the disc at the bottom of a pendulum) you would like. They are available in 2-1/8", 2-3/4" or 3-1/2" diameters. You choose what’s best for you!

If you have pendulum that you want to use, and it weighs more than 2-1/2 ounces, then you should consider the following pendulum drive units:

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-part/pd200-heavy-duty-pendulum-drive/

Or

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-part/heavy-duty-pendulum-drive/

As always, your choice of pendulum movements also includes your choice of over 50 styles of clock hands in gold or black. Just pick what you would like.

We stock two lines of time only pendulum movements. Our American made AA battery powered line:

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-part/mini-quartz-pendulum-movements/

And our C cell powered line of pendulum movements:

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-part/standard-size-quartz-pendulum-movements/

Both lines of pendulum movements can be used for a variety of applications. The "C" cell versions can operate clock hands up to 6" long and offer longer battery life. The AA battery versions operate hands less than 5" and offer compact size and lower price. Both come with a choice of pendulums and clock hands.

There's also a wide variety of chiming movements. Please see: Choosing a Chime Movement. Some movements chime every 15 minutes, some on the hour and half hour, and some just on the hour only. There are also a wide variety of shaft lengths and different models to choose from:

http://www.clockparts.com/clock-parts/chiming-clock-movements/

On some of our more expensive chime movements, they may only be available in a longer shaft. This is normally not a problem as if the hand shaft is to long, it can normally be "shimmed" back in your case, pulling the hand shaft back, by using some washers over the shaft before installation. Standard fender washers from your local hardware store work very well.

Come to clockparts.com for the best selection of pendulum movements.