"Guide to Developing a Social Movement (Episode 32 of Tick Talk Tuesday)"
News Article: Hand Bush a Clock Movement Using a Bergeon Bushing Machine
In the world of horology, maintaining and repairing antique and vintage clocks can be a complex task. For those seeking guidance, the Tick-Talk Tuesday series, hosted by clock enthusiast Ron, offers precise and helpful answers to reader questions about their clocks.
This week, Ron provides advice on bushing a clock movement, a technique commonly used to replace worn pivot holes in clock movements. The process involves disassembling and preparing the movement, mounting it on a Bergeon bushing machine, choosing and fitting the correct bushing size, reaming out and preparing the hole, inserting the bushing, trimming and flushing the bushing, and polishing the new bushing bore.
Hand bush a clock movement using a Bergeon Bushing machine:
- Disassemble and prepare the movement: Remove the clock movement from its case and take out the component needing bushing, usually a worn pivot hole.
- Mount the movement or plate on the Bergeon bushing machine: Secure the clock plate so it is stable and the pivot hole to be bushed is accessible.
- Choose and fit the correct bushing size: Select a bushing slightly larger than the worn hole but appropriate for the pivot shaft size.
- Use the bushing machine to ream out and prepare the hole: The machine allows the worn hole to be cleaned and shaped accurately to accept the new bushing.
- Insert the bushing into the hole: Using the Bergeon tool’s anvil and punch, press the brass bushing carefully into the prepared hole.
- Trim and flush the bushing: After insertion, trim the bushing so it sits flush with the plate surface to avoid interference with movement parts.
- Polish the bushing inside: Hand-polish the new bushing bore to a smooth finish appropriate for the pivot, ensuring minimal friction.
While detailed video tutorials or step-by-step guides specifically on the Bergeon bushing machine for clocks were not found in the search results, this process is a standard approach to using a manual bushing machine common in horology, which includes the Bergeon brand.
For those seeking more information, it may be useful to consult Bergeon’s manuals or horological training videos focused on bushing clock movements, as the process requires careful mechanical work. However, the search did not surface Bergeon’s proprietary instructions or detailed clock-specific bushing manuals.
The Tick-Talk Tuesday series is a valuable resource for clock enthusiasts, providing advice on various clock concerns based on reader questions. By subscribing to Ron's blog, readers can stay updated on the latest posts about antique and vintage clocks, including articles on bushing a clock movement.
For more articles on this topic, search the keyword "bushing" on Ron's blog. Past Tick-Talk Tuesday series have included profiles of specific clocks based on reader comments, as well as responses to reader letters about clock issues and consultations with fellow clock enthusiasts for complex questions.
In summary, hand bushing a clock movement on a Bergeon machine involves carefully preparing the worn pivot hole, pressing in a carefully selected brass bushing using the machine’s punch and anvil, then filing and polishing the new bushing for smooth pivot operation. This technique requires suitable precision tools, steady hands, and experience with clock movement mechanics.
- Clock enthusiasts seeking to create a vintage-inspired lifestyle might find a taste of horology in learning about techniques like hand bushing a clock movement, such as the process with a Bergeon Bushing machine.
- For fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts who appreciate the rustic charm of home-and-garden decor, a collection of restored vintage clocks featuring hand-bushed clock movements could be an eye-catching addition to their living spaces.