Please read all the information on this page to ensure you understand what is offered. (This page is about commissioning my microwelding services; see the microwelding overview page to for an overview of microwelding.)
Parts will be welded, profiled and polished. You should have nothing else to do but replace them in the clock.
It is necessary for me to profile and finish the surfaces because otherwise it is difficult to tell whether sufficient material has been added to properly fill the worn area. Therefore I do not usually offer a weld-only service. However, for some special parts, or for a particular problem I can leave parts unfinished for final fitting and adjustment in the clock.
| Item | Price (excluding handling fee) |
|---|---|
| Pinion | £50 |
| Remove and refit wheel riveted to pinion | £15 |
| Strike wheel pins | £50 |
| Escapement pallets | £20 |
| Pivot | £15 |
| Gathering pallet | £15 |
| Rack tooth | £15 |
| Burst open clock pin holes in posts | £15 |
| Complete set of 7 longcase pinions inc. pallets | £330 |
| As above, remove and refit centre and third wheels | £360 |
| Turret Clock escapement parts | £Quotation |
| All other work | £Quotation |
| Postage Royal Mail Special Delivery (Typically £5.40) | £Postage |
| Packing | No cost: I will use packaging as received |
Please note that all work is subject to an additional £10 handling fee; remember also to account for the price of return postage.
You should usually clean your items before sending. Cleaning in an acid (or water based) cleaner will produce localised electrolytic action; this will eat into the welded material if it is left immersed. The parts should therefore be cleaned before welding to minimise the cleaning required afterwards. Please clean your items before posting them, or else make arrangements to clean your items afterwards using a non-electrolytic cleaning fluid.
Please verify that parts are suitable for welding before going to the trouble and expense of posting. In particular please read the conservation restrictions below. You are welcome to telephone me to discuss your item or email me a picture.
Then I will give you the postal address, to which you can send your item(s). If you send any items, you thereby agree to bear the cost of the return postage. You should photograph the parts for your own records, before sending them.
Choose a delivery method with which you are happy, this should take into account insurance available. I will use the same method to return the parts.
Please provide the following information:
Please ensure that you package your items suitably, and that you make it easy for me to reuse the same packaging for return postage; a fee will be charged if new packaging is required. By sending the items, you agree to pay for their return postage.
Clean your items (see above) if required.
I will contact you after examining your item(s), to discuss any special requirements and expectations. My examination will include photographing the parts on receipt as received by me. This will help in the event of an insurance claim if they are damaged in transit. If all is well, I will proceed, subject to an agreed price.
I will inform you when the welding has been completed. Welding is usually done in 5 working days.
Work returned with invoice enclosed, when payment has cleared. Cheques only please.
I see my work primarily as a conservator.
Before microwelding any components, the owner of the clock must understand and agree with the philosophy of the work to be undertaken. All clocks should be repaired with conservation in mind, but the older the clock the more significant it becomes. Any clocks made in the 16th century almost certainly should not be touched. Clocks with an important provenance should be considered very carefully.
Although Microwelding is almost the perfect conservation tool, because it enables the original parts to be given new life, it is not always appropriate to use it. It is better to do some research before taking action, than to regret it later. Very important clocks could have their value decimated by any interference at all. Historical and financial value must not be sacrificed to sentimental ideas about running them.
Captain Scott’s pocket watch, which stopped, should never be wound or repaired or the time changed. It is to be left untouched, just as it was when it was discovered in the Antarctic.
Having said that, the vast majority of clocks will deteriorate and lose respect if they do not run. If they serve no timekeeping purpose, their value will fall into question. For further reading see Conservation of Clocks and Watches published by the BHI (British Horological Institute).