OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT:        DAVE GRAU, tictocfinewatches.net

V. PRESIDENT:      AL TAKATSCH, al_taka@yahoo.com

SECRETARY:        JOHN REILLY, jrol@aol.com

TREASURER:        STAN CRAIG, no e-mail

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: EARL KNIGHT, earljan@mydirecway.com

DIRECTORS:

JERRY KINCAID (07)      tictoctwo@aol.com

BRETT LOUIS (07)        no e-mail

DAN SPATH (07)        daspath@verizon.net

GEORGE TRESANSKY (07)  geotnant@aol.com

JACK KENNAN (08)        jgkennan@webtv.net           

GEORGE PAINTER (08)     gpainter@adelphia.net

Message:

Greetings Clock and Watch Fans,

Could we have finally found a nice home for HAM?  We had the first workshop in April at the Ellicott City Senior Center.  Everyone I spoke with thought it was a very nice place, so Dan is working diligently to see if we can move from the church to the senior center.  We’ll keep everyone up to date as to location should there be a change in the near term.  The room was quite spacious (as in humongous) and the clock folks and watch folks were able to arrange themselves in different areas of the same room.  It looked like those interested in clocks were engaged in heavy conversation and several folks were working on watches they brought in.  As always, time was devoted to searching for parts that went flying.

The second workshop in April was held at the church.  We had a good crowd and a few people spent time creating a new tooth for a clock wheel (to be continued next workshop).  Others kibbitzed and a few of us worked on our watches.

Depending on when you read this, the Woodsboro Mart will be held, or was held on April 28.  You’ll be sure to hear about all our great deals.

The next business meeting and seminar will be held on May 14.  PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING IS AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

See you in a few weeks.

Regards, David

Newsletter: April, Workshops

As David mentioned in his message we had workshops in which Stan and others began the process of replacing a tooth on a clock wheel. I was not there, but someone asked me why we started with a round piece for the tooth rather than flat brass stock.  I must defer to Stan to answer, I’m sure it is logical.

We will continue the tooth replacement and for the next few workshops we will concentrate on the train wheels, particularly of a watch.  Stan will demonstrate how to close a watch hole and redrill. Apparently in watches you close the hole and start anew rather than open the whole and rebush as for clocks.  Later we will tackle changing out a jewel. By the end of Stan’s lecture series we will have covered most of the practical and frequently encountered watch repairs.

I too heard nothing but good remarks concerning the Senior Center, space and lighting being the best features.

A few thoughts about Woodsboro.  Bob Rothen worked up a cleaver name tag with a picture of a pig (HAM) on it and a line that asked people to ask about HAM.  I passed one vendor 3 times before he finally realized the connection between pig and HAM. Most got it immediately. Thanks Bob for the work on our behalf.  Woodsboro did not seem as well attended as in the past and there were fewer tables, not sure why.  Loydd Lehn gave a very nice talk on cleaning and repairing Cuckoo clocks.  He had a very fast moving slide presentation with good clear photos.  This presentation is available on DVD for $29.95.  I’m sure you can get his address if you want a copy.  A number of people took issue with his use of 3&1 oil for oiling a clock and with the fact that he dips the clock in paint thinner to clean without taking it apart.  He claims a very low return rate using these practices.

On a personal note, I have finished the restoration of my 1770 English tall case clock.  I will bring pictures to the meeting on May 14.  I wrote to Mr. Formby of Formby Auctions in England about the maker Thomas Harper, London.  He gave me some interesting information.  There were two Thomas Harpers in the period of interest. One, Thomas Harper, son of Giles Harper was not a member of the Clockmakers Company the other was.  The one that was, was also a member of the Goldsmiths Company; a very unusual dual apprenticeship.  Mr. Formby states that until 1750 London was a small district which is now London’s financial district and from 1750 has been administered separately from the broader area now known as London City. Until 1750 one could not sign a dial or movement without being a resident or business in the small London district and a member of the clockmaker Company.  After 1750 one could sign clocks as ‘So and SO,’ London without being a member of the Clockmakers Company or living in the district, all that was necessary was to be living within the city limits of London.  So the mystery of which one made my clock remains.  The only other clue that I have is the Silent/Strike mechanism that bears the name Theo. Reeves which may have been an apprentice to T.H. or perhaps he was an independent supplier.  When I retire, I’ll have more time to research the issue.

If you have a story of interest to the members please forward it to me for inclusion in the newsletter.

Regards, John