Fixed Wooden Dial Bezel of Banjo Clock with Sawin Operation
The restoration of an 1840s Boston Banjo Clock, crafted by John Sawin, has come to a successful completion after a meticulous 10-month journey. This weight-driven banjo clock, which occupies the upper end of the range, arrived at the restorer's house last spring, dirty and dusty but with good bones and most everything original.
The clock's restoration process began with addressing veneer issues on the two bottom corners of the case and fixing a crack in the wood dial bezel. To address the crack, a band clamp designed for furniture repair was purchased. The bottom section of the rails on both sides was also re-glued, with Gorilla glue used to replace the hot hide glue due to its higher bonding strength.
One of the significant challenges during the restoration was the old and tired suspension spring that needed to be replaced. To replace the suspension spring in a banjo clock without buying an entire pendulum assembly, it's essential to carefully remove and replace just the suspension spring itself. The suspension spring is the small, flexible metal strip located at the top of the pendulum rod that attaches the pendulum leader to the clock movement, allowing the pendulum to swing.
To ensure the correct suspension spring was installed, it was sourced to match the original in length, thickness, and style. Wax paper was used to prevent any residual glue from sticking to the band and the surface during the replacement process.
Four new bushings were installed in the movement, and the old brass cable was removed and replaced. The hands of the banjo clock were rubbed down with steel wool to remove rust. The banjo clock, being a weight-driven clock, normally falls within a certain price range, higher than the other two types with mechanical movements: lever escapements and spring-driven clocks.
The banjo clock has no striking parts, reducing the number of wheels to a minimum, and shares many attributes with the original Simon Willard Patented Timepiece. A new dial glass was replaced, and the case of the banjo clock was cleaned. Some flat-head screws were replaced with smaller ones taken from old cases to maintain the clock's antique charm.
Throughout the restoration process, the dial of the banjo clock was left untouched, preserving its original beauty. The banjo clock project has been ongoing for nearly a year, and the final result is nothing short of stunning. The banjo clock is now complete and functional, ready to keep time for another 180 years.
[1] References: Clock repair guides or suppliers for your specific banjo clock model.
The stunning restoration of the 1840s vintage clocks, specifically the Boston Banjo Clock, has elevated the home-and-garden lifestyle, as it now serves as a uniquely preserved piece of the past. By incorporating this antique, homeowners can enhance their lifestyle by blending vintage charm and contemporary functionality, giving a nod to the past while embracing the present.
