6.12.2020 Another WT on Ebay UK.

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Too unwell to spend hours processing images and writing detailed text for the blog.

Gents Pulsynetic Waiting Train Turret Clock .in Somerset | eBay

Probably WW2-1940s "marine" paint colour with the [earlier] matching "shoulders" to the cast main frame. What I like to think of as the "organic" frame style before they become more industrialised.

All plated parts, bandaged coils and pressed contact steadies suggest a slightly later model. Though not as late as the all grey, sloping shoulder type which followed.

It looks quite "tidy" but needs a careful clean and attention to fragile wiring details. It is missing its time setting crank on the front of the worm arbor/shaft. Fortunately, the time setting dial is presently hidden away at the rear. It would be better if more exposed. Somewhere on the end of the wormwheel shaft near the rather "unlikely" universal joint would do. Then it could be better seen for time setting. 

The ring type, universal joint, could be replaced with a more appropriate, forked, turret clock, expansion-universal joint. Thermal expansion of the lead-off work [to the often, distant dials] would put tremendous loads on the ends of long shaft unless they were suitable slotted. A practice applied for centuries to most turret clocks. The fork and pin drive will allow the vital freedom to expand and contract in unheated attics, lofts, roof spaces and clock rooms.

Making a new time setting crank, in keeping with the original, is a fairly trivial task. I made my own using a the crank from a vintage, domestic, pepper mill with a nicely worn wooden handle. A white, porcelain handle is more often seen and perhaps more original. A reproduction, porcelain, corded, light pull might suit this task.

No bevel gears and missing its Pendulum bob.  The latter is far more vital but reproducible from drawings, photographs and/or dimensions. Though it will not be original it can be faked if you have access to suiable materials and an original to copy. 

A variety of paint colours have been applied to WT bobs to bring attention to the swinging danger in confined spaces. White or even red paint has shown up in several online images. Others are painted the same colour as the frame left the factory. 

One has to take great care when adjusting a working WT movement to avoid trapped fingers. The inertia of the heavy pendulum and rapid movement of the armature can catch the unwary owner out.

 Watching a WT in action is hypnotising as the Hipp toggle and waiting train mechanism take turns for one's attention. I have mine on a sturdy shelf with hefty, cast shelf brackets. So I can watch it at eye level whenever I am passing by.

There is no need for a WT to be very noisy. Though they were never meant for such use they can be domesticated by careful adjustment and damping the armature's range stops with rubber. A solid bench or stand is desirable to avoid rocking and to avoid amplifying any noise. 

I never got around to building the "trestle" style stand, in oak, which was sometimes provided by the Gents factory. Many WTs stood on wooden benches. With a generous slot cut for the pendulum rod to allow the large bob to swing freely underneath. Too short a slot will soon find the limits of swing demanded by an active WT. Better too long a slot than too short.

This fine WT reached £1272 on eBay[UK] despite the lack of a pendulum. We hope the winner completes the movement to their own satisfaction and enjoys their ownership. 

 

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