Thank you Mike for sharing your knowledge of clock repair. I’m kind of a newbie at this, and have already learned a bunch about the workings of cuckoo clocks from folks like you.
That is great you are learning. When I do a video on clocks, I know I repeat myself from video to video, but maybe some people only watch one of my videos and this is how I can get them to understand what the clock does. I also don't use the naves of the parts because that just goes over their heads with fear that they can't work on a clock. Thanks so much for stopping in and giving a great comment of your learning. God Bless.
Good Morning too you as well African Lion. Yes, there are so many clocks out there and so many people that either can't find someone to work on their clock or it is so costly to have them work on there clock. Thanks for stopping by and God Bless
Thank you Mike for sharing the home made solution. I used commercial clock cleaners before, and to my dismay they stripped the factory protective lacquer off. I will try Mark's solution next time.
This solution will also strip the protective coating if you leave the plates in too long. I leave them in for 10 minutes so that does not happen. If the protective coat comes off, you can make the plates shinier by stripping all the Lacquer off the plates and use two products. 1 would be Simichrome Polish you would use first to Brighten the Brass Plates. 2 you would then use RENAISSANCE Micro-Crystalline wax polish to seal the brass and once it is dry, you don't leave behind fingerprints.
Well, you have to start somewhere. You don't need the machine, just the cleaner to help get the old oils off the movement and gears. Thanks for watching the video and a great comment.
Thank you Mike for all your advice I mixed up the solution including the Murphy's oil soap and ran / cleaned my clock movement in it. I didn't have a big enough ultrasonic cleaner so I did, one side and then the other side. Clock working great I picked it up at a yard sale for 20 bucks and now I'm running it without a pendulum It's doing one hour every 26 minutes. Unwinding the springs. Guess it's gonna take about 10 days for the 30 day clock. Again thank you for your suggestion. Solution works fantastic.
I am glad you like the solution we make and yes, it does well. Just remember that it you don't take your clock apart all the way, some of the old oil and dust build up will not come out and will take a while to get the clock running again after the fresh oil has been added to the movement.
@@justmike57 i've got the clocks running without the pendulum, so I get about two days out of every day when the springs open up, I will redid in ultrasonic cleaner to clean out in between the springs. Have you ever use WD-40 on the springs?? Or maybe a dry spray lubricant so they don't stick together.
@@waynel8645 I do use W-D-40 to help clean the spring and a brown scrubby to help get the old oil off the spring. Then I clean that off with Denatured Alcohol. Once I get the spring back in the Barrel, I would then oil the spring with clock oil. Even an open spring, clock oil is fine. Just make sure to wind it up before oiling the spring and don't over oil the spring because dripping is bad and dust loves oil
This worked great, I don't have an ultra sound cleaner tho. So I just mixed it up in a pail but added hot water, let the parts sit in the solution for 2 hours and wulla. Came out clean enough for me, I did scrub them with an old tooth bush here and there. Thanks for the formula.
The machine just make the job go faster. What you did works just fine. Just remember that if you plates have a lacquer coat on them, only leave the plates in 5 minutes at a time. If the lacquer starts to come off, just take it all off and polish the plates for a brighter look.
Thanks for this, I might give it a try! Pro tip on pouring from cans like the Acetone - pour to the side and you can get the lip of the container right up next to the spout to minimize spillage.
Thank you Mike. I currently don't have a sonic cleaner, but I will try this when I get it. I use a toothbrush and a solution of baking soda, vinegar and dish detergent from Scottie of Scottie's click world.
You don't really need a sonic cleaner unless you plan on using it a lot. It's great to have one to make your job faster when working on clocks, but the cleaner for the movement is what really matters. Scottie is a great channel too watch. Unlike mine, his videos are very short, but good. Mine are longer to help the person understand their clock so they can make it almost new again. Also my videos are Great to take a good Nap with, lol.
I was very happy with it even though I am still using the Movement Cleaner I bought in the gallon jug. Don't want to waist it or leave another bottle just laying around.
I have tried it also and it does work, my plates didn’t look that good but I only had them for 10 min. Have not had the opportunity to try something else increasing the time.
Remember to put the plates in a plastic basket. The different metals will turn the plates a copper color. I have found that 20 minutes is a good time as long as there isn't a varnish on the plates to keep them shiny. Other wise, less then 5 minutes and they might still look dirty. If it's my clock, I don't worry about the varnish. I want them clean and try to wash off the varnish if it starts to come off.
I wouldn't. The problem would be that the barrel would fill up with cleaner and the cleaner would need to be washed off otherwise you will be getting corrosion inside the barrel. Also the barrel spring is an important part of the clock running. The Barrel normally always needs cleaned and re-lubed with main spring oil lube. (Clock oil would work, but not as well).
That's the way to be sufficient, bro. 👍 Make your own! I thought you were about to deep fry something!😉 Sure...we'll say that was half a cup! 😁 Have a blessed week, Mike!😊💖🙏
So that is why I get hungry every time I lift the basket, lol. Thanks for letting me know why. This is a cheaper movement cleaner and you don't have to pay the hazard fee when ordering the cleaner. You have a great one Sis. God Bless.
Thanks for the video I was looking just this home made solution not sure what the astatine can do wondered if vinegar might cut grease as well, vinegar might not be good for the brass? What do you think?
The Astatine is to help shine up the brass. This is the solution my friend, Mark came up with. If you have a lot of oils and grease, I would use the Dawn and hot water to get the excess off, then put the movement in the cleaner. If you want to try the vinegar, I would be careful and try it with a sample piece of brass. Good Luck.
If you cuckoo is starting and stopping, then I would say your minute hand needs to be adjusted. Take the hand nut off, then on the newer clocks there will be a brass piece that is inserted in the minute hand. Remove it, but first get your clock to cuckoo and stop the clock. Put the brass piece on the shaft and set your minute hand back on and pointing at the 12. Tighten your nut and you should be good to go.
Thank you Mike, for your videos. I have a 10 year old quality, certified Black Forest cuckoo, and recently it keeps stopping within a few minutes. I have always kept it oiled ever so slightly, after inspection and making sure no dust or hair is inside. I do this once a year as I’ve always done with my other two antique cuckoos, and grandfather clocks. Nothing is binding and everything moves freely. It’s tick is barley audible for some reason while it is in movement. When I gently pull on the weight, the tick is heard more and it keeps going with more energy, and when I let off with the only the weight, it eventually stops. What can be going on with it?
I do hope you are oiling both, front and back of the movement. If so, use a toothpick and some oil and where the wire from the back of the pendulum wire goes into the movement you will see the part that has the dick sound, oil both ends of the paddles in case they are causing too much friction. This will make them smoother and help the clock run. If the clock has been blown out and both sides of the movement have been oiled, it could be time to take the movement apart and clean each gear, pivot and bushings; On an 8 day cuckoo, you nee to check for wear on the bushings. See if there is play from side to side. A one day cuckoo can have more play that what an 8 day can handle.
@@justmike57 just prior to sending you the message, I carefully blew out the movement with regulated compressor air, and I did see some oil get expelled from near the winding wheels. (Yes, it’s an 8 day, as all of mine are) Then I wiped off any residue everywhere. Hung it back up with no pendulum and let it tick away fast for about 18 hours. When I got home from work tonight, it was still going with a more audible normal tick. Set the pendulum, attached, and it’s running perfectly. I think what may have happened was oil drips over time accumulating on the lower gear set over time. Lesson learned! Thank you so much Mike, for your response. You were quite right!
The brands of soap you mentioned are a cheaper soap and you normally have to use more of it for your dishes. Dawn is what strips oil and grease much better and that is why they use it on wild life birds when oil and sludge comes ashore when there is a boat accident.
I can't totally explain the products. You just have to experiment with the products to see how well the clean, do they tarnish the metal and can you neutralize the cleaning products you used. The Dawn Dish soap is a great degreaser and just washes off with hot water. (WD-40 is a great cleaner, but it has an acid in it to help clean rust, but if you leave it on, it will start to corrode the metal if it isn't taken back off after cleaning). Thanks for commenting Merv Richmond.
Hi Mike thanks for the recipe for cleaning fluid, I will have to try it. Did you realize that you can put cleaner in a smaller container with the parts you want to clean, and then put this in the ultra sonic with just water in the basin. The ultrasonic cleaner will work through the container. This way you don’t use as much cleaner. Thanks Brian
Yes, I did know that, but for the many different sizes of movements and this is the only thing I use the machine on, it works very well for me. Thanks for the good comment and maybe see you again.
If you only have one clock to work on, I wouldn't buy an ultrasonic cleaner. The Ultrasonic cleaner only make my job faster, and it still does not clean out all the holes the gears go in.
@@justmike57 if you are just cleaning one clock without an ultrasonic cleaner, would you recommend soaking the parts in the cleaner, and if so for how long. I love your videos.
It's nice to use, but like always, the longer you leave the pieces in the cleaner, they will start to get a copper color to the gears so pay close attention to your timing on how long they stay in for.
lol, it may sound funny to you, but most the time I don't even hear them when I am working. Sometimes I even look over at the cuckoo clocks to see if they stopped running or not. Thanks for watching Pallid.
Thanks Mike I'm just starting to get into clocks, I have been working on vintage pocket watches. I found that the tools for clocks is a whole different set than watches. Similar in function but on a larger scale, Well here goes more money, lol. I love working on vintage time pieces it is so relaxing although can be frustrating at times. One question in my watch cleaning machine I use a cleaner and then 2 rinse cycles. Do you rince off the parts some way after cleaning them in the ultrasonic?
I can tell you haven't watched my other videos, lol. Yes, after the movement cleaner, I bring them in and washed them with just Dawn Dish detergent and then lots of hot tap water. Then I dry them quickly with a hair dryer. Working on Clocks is just as you subscribed. There are times you want to pull your hair out. Really, if you want to be cheap about your tools, just two sizes of small screwdrivers, a pair of needle nose plyers and a desert dish or piece of plastic pipe will get you by until you decide if you want to clean and repair clocks. Thanks so much for commenting and stopping by today
I was looking for a tutorial about cleaning my 1950s wristwatch movement parts. Apperently i need 2 gallons of cleaning solution. That should work, mucho helps mucho
Very rare that more is better, lol. Depending on how often you use a movement cleaner, you could cut the amounts to the size that would work for you. Thanks for stopping by Michael.
Great video. I think I saw on one of your past videos where you put the clock mechanism in claening solution as a whole, without being disassembled, and just soaking for a period of time. Am I correct?
You are right about me not taking the movement apart all the way. Because of that, it takes a while to get your clock running again because the new oil has to break down the old varnish oil that wasn't cleaned out all the way. The cleaner I made doesn't need a Sonic cleaner to clean the movement. The Machine is to make the job quicker to clean the parts and you still have touchups to do afterword's.
Most your movements have a lacquer spray on them so when you sell them in a shop, they look so shiny. In time, the lacquer starts to yellow. If I can, I try to keep the lacquer on if it isn't damaged. Using a polish and a wax is what I do if the lacquer comes off.
That is a helpful homemade solution to clean clocks. What do you find works good for cleaning out the bushings or do you find that cleaning solution does a sufficient enough job cleaning the pivot holes/bushings. And how many times do you think you could reuse that solution mixture before having to make new? Thanks and I enjoyed your video
I would say the cleaners work, but not that well in the bushing holes. After cleaning I use a toothpick in each hole and spin it around with your fingers to clean what might be left behind. As for how many times I can use this or any solution, it all depends on how dirty the movements are before you drop them in the tank. It might be best to wash the whole movement in hot water and Dawn Dishwashing soap first before you take the movement apart and clean it in the solution to get as much dust, dirt and old oils off.
Yes you can just use the cleaner as a soak. The only thing a sonic cleaner does is make my job faster. Even with the sonic cleaner, it does not get all the old oils out of the pivot holes.
@@justmike57 Thanks for the quick reply. I wish I googled how to fix cuckoo clocks before today. Yesterday I half heartedly took my clock apart but I was afraid to go any deeper…still not fixed but your EXCELLENT videos make it seem possible! Thank you for sharing your expertise. One of the chain pulleys doesn’t work, I hope all it needs is a good cleaning. Waiting for the clock oil that I just ordered to arrive to try again following your instructions.
These machines are sold very cheap today & worth every penny too. I prefer mechanical dial models vs the digital designs. The controls on digitally controlled units are really just a 3D sticker stuck on the front panel. Buttons on digital models are built the same as a singing birthday card offers. The dial models do have a few less options vs digital styles, its like comparing digital stereos that offer more than radios did but mechanical units are simply built much better and last longer. Both types sell rather cheap today. Buy the one with the most "Transducers" in it you can afford, the Transducers make them vibrate, never allow one to heat empty nor empty its fluid before it cools either. The heaters can burn up without fluid to absorb its heat. Just use care so they last! Peace
I have no idea if it does or now. I do keep the lid on the cleaner all the time and as often as I use it, the cleaner gets changed at least once a month or so.
I use a clock cleaner I bought on line. This video shows the Ammoniated cleaner, th-cam.com/video/Ctbd-Vs2lNA/w-d-xo.html This home made cleaner is used now, but I also add a 1/2 a cup of Murphy's soap that is to help make brass shinier.
The green colored Ammonia Cleaner I used was a Movement Clock Cleaner. This one here is a home-made cleaner, but now I add a 1/2 cup of Murphy's Soap. The reason being is that I was told that the Brass comes out shiner.
What was your reason for not liking the Home made mix. I use to use the ammonia concentrate that professionals used. Then switched to the non-ammonia cleaner, but the cost and the fee for shipping the product was getting too high. This works very well and you can buy all the products at your local store.
I agree. But you don't need the Machine. The Ultrasonic Cleaner is only a tool to make the job faster. You can use this mix for cleaning your movement or just try the Dawn Dish Soap and a toothbrush. Let it soak in the dish soap (using hot water to start). And after cleaning, if you need the plates to be shiny, use a polish then don't forget to use toothpicks to clean out the pivots.
@@ImCarolB Strap a pan on a mower, tiller, weedeater engine & throttle up. Id fill it about halfway with this fluid so it don't spill over. Can start the motor & let it run till it warms up then put parts inside the pan but heat dont matter much. Homemade ultrasonic machine is easily made but regardless check it every 5 minutes. All one does is vibrates consistently. Dryers vibrate real steady, anything that vibrates will work as one. Just check the parts to verify how well things are working even in a real US cleaner.
I think the same thing happed here. This movement cleaner works just as well. There are a lot of things that were on the market but not anymore thanks to the ones that squeak the most.
No, you don't need as ultrasonic cleaner. It only make my job faster and maybe that is because I can warm the cleaner up. Using a cleaner by itself will work just fine. Thanks for stopping in Bluebonnet.
I have the 2 gallon size. It all depends on if you take your movement apart, the ease of having enough room in the basket that the parts are not stacked on top of each other and if you buy plastic baskets to put your parts in before they get set in the metal basket. There are people that buy the smaller ones that they can afford and may take more time, but still gets the job done. Hope this help you Kevin.
There are a lot of things out there that might clean the movement. You will have to do a test run to see how well it works and the cost of the product. I do believe carburetor cleaner has some kind of lubricant or something left behind when you clean with it. Brake cleaner might be the best to try because it is fast drying and cleans away everything. But for sure, to test sprays and see what it does.
I have tried brake cleaner in the past when I was away from my house and a friend asked me to work on their clocks. Just remember to wash it off thoroughly because if you dont the brake cleaner will continue to clean and eat the parts away. I wouldnt recommend it on a daily basis but only in a pinch as I mention above.
I have two places I buy my cuckoo clock parts from on line. www.ronellclock.com/ Just download their free catalog and call in your order or timesavers.com/c-325596-clock-repair-replacement-parts-cuckoo-clock-parts.html
You could be right. When I had to clean my rental house after the renters moved out, I would use strong Simple Green to clean the paint off the light switch plates. The paint would start to lift before the hour was up. So, stronger might be better for the people that don't have Sonic cleaners. Also, I use mine until it gets discussing looking. Thanks for the comment and suggestion Keith A. God Bless.
Carb cleaner, Brake cleaner, I thought about it but never used them. They do have a movement spray cleaner for the people that don't want to take their movement apart Joseph Boyer. Thanks for stopping in my friend.
I can't believe you're not wearing heavy chemical gloves when you're handling that crap and I'm sure you don't have eye protection on either in case you get splashed in the face.
These are house hold cleaners for the most part and I do try to be careful and Not in a hurry to get this mix done. So, I don't wear gloves and I do wash my hands when any of the liquids get on them just in case. As for splashing in the eyes, for one, I wear glasses and two, I don't hold the bottles 3 feet above where I need to pour into. Safety is always in my mind and so should very body else.
Thank you Mike for sharing your knowledge of clock repair. I’m kind of a newbie at this, and have already learned a bunch about the workings of cuckoo clocks from folks like you.
That is great you are learning. When I do a video on clocks, I know I repeat myself from video to video, but maybe some people only watch one of my videos and this is how I can get them to understand what the clock does. I also don't use the naves of the parts because that just goes over their heads with fear that they can't work on a clock. Thanks so much for stopping in and giving a great comment of your learning. God Bless.
Good morning Mike, I see you are still at it friend. Keep up the good work my friend.
Good Morning too you as well African Lion. Yes, there are so many clocks out there and so many people that either can't find someone to work on their clock or it is so costly to have them work on there clock. Thanks for stopping by and God Bless
@@justmike57 You are very welcome.
Good information about cleaning the clocks
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Mike
I have been looking for a recipe to clean my movements for ages this looks simple and easy can’t wait to try it👍👍👍
It seems to work very well for me and was happy to share it.
The clock pieces become clean and shining,thanks for sharing it my dear friend 💐
Thanks for visiting
Hi MIke. Your the guy to see about repairing clocks, cleaning, and so much more. Glad to see your having alot of fun doing your clocks again.
Thanks 👍. I work hard at my Hobby and almost enjoy every second of it. Thanks for stopping in Nana.
Sounds like a great cleaner, thanks. I will be making it
I am very happy with this cleaner. If not, I would have went back to ordering the true movement cleaner that isn't very cheap. Thanks for watching.
Thank you Mike for sharing the home made solution. I used commercial clock cleaners before, and to my dismay they stripped the factory protective lacquer off. I will try Mark's solution next time.
This solution will also strip the protective coating if you leave the plates in too long. I leave them in for 10 minutes so that does not happen. If the protective coat comes off, you can make the plates shinier by stripping all the Lacquer off the plates and use two products. 1 would be Simichrome Polish you would use first to Brighten the Brass Plates. 2 you would then use RENAISSANCE Micro-Crystalline wax polish to seal the brass and once it is dry, you don't leave behind fingerprints.
You make clocks work like new again. You are really skilled!😀
Thank you Snoopy and Doby
Hi mike I love your videos. You have taught me so much!!!!! Keep them coming .
And Hello to you barb dixon. So glad you stopped by.
it looks great compared to before. thank you i am a beginner this helpful information.
Well, you have to start somewhere. You don't need the machine, just the cleaner to help get the old oils off the movement and gears. Thanks for watching the video and a great comment.
Hello Mike,thanks for these great tips....cleaning can be this amazing.
looks good, old clocks and clock making will become valuable again if the grid goes down.
Most your clocks sold on line are collector sales. But, like me, Ya got to know when to stop buying them, lol.
Thank you Mike for all your advice I mixed up the solution including the Murphy's oil soap and ran / cleaned my clock movement in it. I didn't have a big enough ultrasonic cleaner so I did, one side and then the other side. Clock working great I picked it up at a yard sale for 20 bucks and now I'm running it without a pendulum It's doing one hour every 26 minutes. Unwinding the springs. Guess it's gonna take about 10 days for the 30 day clock. Again thank you for your suggestion. Solution works fantastic.
I am glad you like the solution we make and yes, it does well. Just remember that it you don't take your clock apart all the way, some of the old oil and dust build up will not come out and will take a while to get the clock running again after the fresh oil has been added to the movement.
@@justmike57 i've got the clocks running without the pendulum, so I get about two days out of every day when the springs open up, I will redid in ultrasonic cleaner to clean out in between the springs.
Have you ever use WD-40 on the springs??
Or maybe a dry spray lubricant so they don't stick together.
@@waynel8645 I do use W-D-40 to help clean the spring and a brown scrubby to help get the old oil off the spring. Then I clean that off with Denatured Alcohol. Once I get the spring back in the Barrel, I would then oil the spring with clock oil. Even an open spring, clock oil is fine. Just make sure to wind it up before oiling the spring and don't over oil the spring because dripping is bad and dust loves oil
This worked great, I don't have an ultra sound cleaner tho. So I just mixed it up in a pail but added hot water, let the parts sit in the solution for 2 hours and wulla. Came out clean enough for me, I did scrub them with an old tooth bush here and there. Thanks for the formula.
The machine just make the job go faster. What you did works just fine. Just remember that if you plates have a lacquer coat on them, only leave the plates in 5 minutes at a time. If the lacquer starts to come off, just take it all off and polish the plates for a brighter look.
That cleaner is great. Nice video Mike.
Thank you Scott. God Bless you and your Family.
Thank you, Mike, for your kind response.
I owe it to the people in this world. It's the least I can do Andrew Conicello. God Bless
Thanks for this, I might give it a try! Pro tip on pouring from cans like the Acetone - pour to the side and you can get the lip of the container right up next to the spout to minimize spillage.
Love your pro tip. I learned this long ago. Don't like the splashing, yet doing a video, you always mess up, lol. You have a great week.
Hi Mike, can your cleaner be used without the machine, just soaking all of the gears and stuff? Thanks
Yes, absolutely you can use any movement cleaner without the Sonic cleaner. The Ultrasonic cleaner is only to make things go faster.
Thank you Mike. I currently don't have a sonic cleaner, but I will try this when I get it. I use a toothbrush and a solution of baking soda, vinegar and dish detergent from Scottie of Scottie's click world.
You don't really need a sonic cleaner unless you plan on using it a lot. It's great to have one to make your job faster when working on clocks, but the cleaner for the movement is what really matters. Scottie is a great channel too watch. Unlike mine, his videos are very short, but good. Mine are longer to help the person understand their clock so they can make it almost new again. Also my videos are Great to take a good Nap with, lol.
Scottie has a great channel, and so do you, Mike.
Thanks, buddy...
Nice Cleaner. If The Lord Willing and The Creeks Dont Rise.
Yes, and works very well. They say the creeks might rise for the next three days here, lol. Thanks for watching Bat.
Thanks for sharing, I'll have to give it a try.
I was very happy with it even though I am still using the Movement Cleaner I bought in the gallon jug. Don't want to waist it or leave another bottle just laying around.
I have tried it also and it does work, my plates didn’t look that good but I only had them for 10 min. Have not had the opportunity to try something else increasing the time.
Remember to put the plates in a plastic basket. The different metals will turn the plates a copper color. I have found that 20 minutes is a good time as long as there isn't a varnish on the plates to keep them shiny. Other wise, less then 5 minutes and they might still look dirty. If it's my clock, I don't worry about the varnish. I want them clean and try to wash off the varnish if it starts to come off.
I am on my way to get a 2 gal sonic cleaner. Will catch your next video later.
You enjoy your new sonic cleaner. I set my temp. at 35 for my cleaning. Have a wonderful week.
Good Video, Thanks Mike!
You are very welcome Sputnik
Hi ,Mike would it be ok to put a movement in the cleaner when the mainsprings are of the barrel type ,love your Chanel Linerforce
I wouldn't. The problem would be that the barrel would fill up with cleaner and the cleaner would need to be washed off otherwise you will be getting corrosion inside the barrel. Also the barrel spring is an important part of the clock running. The Barrel normally always needs cleaned and re-lubed with main spring oil lube. (Clock oil would work, but not as well).
Thanks Mike , that's good advice I appreciate it,Linerforce
Hi wow very nice video thanks for sharing happy day good weekend too friend like 👍👍
That's the way to be sufficient, bro. 👍 Make your own! I thought you were about to deep fry something!😉 Sure...we'll say that was half a cup! 😁 Have a blessed week, Mike!😊💖🙏
So that is why I get hungry every time I lift the basket, lol. Thanks for letting me know why. This is a cheaper movement cleaner and you don't have to pay the hazard fee when ordering the cleaner. You have a great one Sis. God Bless.
Have good faith my friend. I see you worked hard on your content. Wow your channel has great views I am hooked on this channel now.
Hey Mike,
Thanks for the video. :)
Cheers
You are very welcome Romin
@@justmike57 Thanks.
Your videos are quite helpful :))
Magnifique, entrepôt je vais très bientôt sur Nîmes.
You enjoy your trip to Nimes, Fabrice Dewaele
Thank for sharing nice video
Thanks for visiting
Thanks for the video I was looking just this home made solution not sure what the astatine can do wondered if vinegar might cut grease as well, vinegar might not be good for the brass? What do you think?
The Astatine is to help shine up the brass. This is the solution my friend, Mark came up with. If you have a lot of oils and grease, I would use the Dawn and hot water to get the excess off, then put the movement in the cleaner. If you want to try the vinegar, I would be careful and try it with a sample piece of brass. Good Luck.
I like it glad you shared
Always nice to have a cleaner you can make and not pay the high prices, along with shipping cost for hazardous materials
Hi mike how do I adjust a warning wheel/ pin on a cuckoo clock? It warns at let’s say 7:45 it then cuckoos way before it hits the 12
If you cuckoo is starting and stopping, then I would say your minute hand needs to be adjusted. Take the hand nut off, then on the newer clocks there will be a brass piece that is inserted in the minute hand. Remove it, but first get your clock to cuckoo and stop the clock. Put the brass piece on the shaft and set your minute hand back on and pointing at the 12. Tighten your nut and you should be good to go.
Thank you Mike, for your videos. I have a 10 year old quality, certified Black Forest cuckoo, and recently it keeps stopping within a few minutes. I have always kept it oiled ever so slightly, after inspection and making sure no dust or hair is inside. I do this once a year as I’ve always done with my other two antique cuckoos, and grandfather clocks. Nothing is binding and everything moves freely. It’s tick is barley audible for some reason while it is in movement. When I gently pull on the weight, the tick is heard more and it keeps going with more energy, and when I let off with the only the weight, it eventually stops. What can be going on with it?
I do hope you are oiling both, front and back of the movement. If so, use a toothpick and some oil and where the wire from the back of the pendulum wire goes into the movement you will see the part that has the dick sound, oil both ends of the paddles in case they are causing too much friction. This will make them smoother and help the clock run.
If the clock has been blown out and both sides of the movement have been oiled, it could be time to take the movement apart and clean each gear, pivot and bushings; On an 8 day cuckoo, you nee to check for wear on the bushings. See if there is play from side to side. A one day cuckoo can have more play that what an 8 day can handle.
@@justmike57 just prior to sending you the message, I carefully blew out the movement with regulated compressor air, and I did see some oil get expelled from near the winding wheels. (Yes, it’s an 8 day, as all of mine are) Then I wiped off any residue everywhere. Hung it back up with no pendulum and let it tick away fast for about 18 hours. When I got home from work tonight, it was still going with a more audible normal tick. Set the pendulum, attached, and it’s running perfectly. I think what may have happened was oil drips over time accumulating on the lower gear set over time. Lesson learned! Thank you so much Mike, for your response. You were quite right!
Very happy you checked the clock again and now it is working. You have a great Week.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching and a great supporter my Sweet Nothings. You have a great week.
Thank you Mike! I will be using this probably today.
You are welcome! I have found it cleans just as well as the clock cleaner.
Can we use other brand of dish soap? Like palmolive or sunlight ?
The brands of soap you mentioned are a cheaper soap and you normally have to use more of it for your dishes. Dawn is what strips oil and grease much better and that is why they use it on wild life birds when oil and sludge comes ashore when there is a boat accident.
@@justmike57 OK. Thanks for your answer.👍👍👍
Hi Mike, nice video! I live in the UK and don't recognise most of the solutions you added. Can you explain what each of them do please?
I can't totally explain the products. You just have to experiment with the products to see how well the clean, do they tarnish the metal and can you neutralize the cleaning products you used. The Dawn Dish soap is a great degreaser and just washes off with hot water. (WD-40 is a great cleaner, but it has an acid in it to help clean rust, but if you leave it on, it will start to corrode the metal if it isn't taken back off after cleaning). Thanks for commenting Merv Richmond.
Hi Mike thanks for the recipe for cleaning fluid, I will have to try it. Did you realize that you can put cleaner in a smaller container with the parts you want to clean, and then put this in the ultra sonic with just water in the basin. The ultrasonic cleaner will work through the container. This way you don’t use as much cleaner.
Thanks
Brian
Yes, I did know that, but for the many different sizes of movements and this is the only thing I use the machine on, it works very well for me. Thanks for the good comment and maybe see you again.
Brilliant Mike, thank you. There are some low priced ultrasonic baths out there, has anyone tried them ?
Just need to work over one clock ⏰
If you only have one clock to work on, I wouldn't buy an ultrasonic cleaner. The Ultrasonic cleaner only make my job faster, and it still does not clean out all the holes the gears go in.
@@justmike57 if you are just cleaning one clock without an ultrasonic cleaner, would you recommend soaking the parts in the cleaner, and if so for how long.
I love your videos.
Hi Mike New to your channel I will have to try this solution looks like it works thanks for sharing God bless
It's nice to use, but like always, the longer you leave the pieces in the cleaner, they will start to get a copper color to the gears so pay close attention to your timing on how long they stay in for.
I imagine it gets pretty noisy every hour on the hour in the home of a Cuckoo Clock repairman!
lol, it may sound funny to you, but most the time I don't even hear them when I am working. Sometimes I even look over at the cuckoo clocks to see if they stopped running or not. Thanks for watching Pallid.
Thanks Mike I'm just starting to get into clocks, I have been working on vintage pocket watches. I found that the tools for clocks is a whole different set than watches. Similar in function but on a larger scale, Well here goes more money, lol. I love working on vintage time pieces it is so relaxing although can be frustrating at times. One question in my watch cleaning machine I use a cleaner and then 2 rinse cycles. Do you rince off the parts some way after cleaning them in the ultrasonic?
I can tell you haven't watched my other videos, lol. Yes, after the movement cleaner, I bring them in and washed them with just Dawn Dish detergent and then lots of hot tap water. Then I dry them quickly with a hair dryer.
Working on Clocks is just as you subscribed. There are times you want to pull your hair out. Really, if you want to be cheap about your tools, just two sizes of small screwdrivers, a pair of needle nose plyers and a desert dish or piece of plastic pipe will get you by until you decide if you want to clean and repair clocks. Thanks so much for commenting and stopping by today
Ok thanks for the info
I was looking for a tutorial about cleaning my 1950s wristwatch movement parts. Apperently i need 2 gallons of cleaning solution. That should work, mucho helps mucho
Very rare that more is better, lol. Depending on how often you use a movement cleaner, you could cut the amounts to the size that would work for you. Thanks for stopping by Michael.
Great video. I think I saw on one of your past videos where you put the clock mechanism in claening solution as a whole, without being disassembled, and just soaking for a period of time. Am I correct?
You are right about me not taking the movement apart all the way. Because of that, it takes a while to get your clock running again because the new oil has to break down the old varnish oil that wasn't cleaned out all the way.
The cleaner I made doesn't need a Sonic cleaner to clean the movement. The Machine is to make the job quicker to clean the parts and you still have touchups to do afterword's.
Very cool video my friend big 👍
Thanks for coming by today my friend.
They are clean.
The only reason why they have that yucky colour is because it's the patina of the brass.
It's perfectly clean
Most your movements have a lacquer spray on them so when you sell them in a shop, they look so shiny. In time, the lacquer starts to yellow. If I can, I try to keep the lacquer on if it isn't damaged. Using a polish and a wax is what I do if the lacquer comes off.
That is a helpful homemade solution to clean clocks. What do you find works good for cleaning out the bushings or do you find that cleaning solution does a sufficient enough job cleaning the pivot holes/bushings. And how many times do you think you could reuse that solution mixture before having to make new? Thanks and I enjoyed your video
I would say the cleaners work, but not that well in the bushing holes. After cleaning I use a toothpick in each hole and spin it around with your fingers to clean what might be left behind.
As for how many times I can use this or any solution, it all depends on how dirty the movements are before you drop them in the tank. It might be best to wash the whole movement in hot water and Dawn Dishwashing soap first before you take the movement apart and clean it in the solution to get as much dust, dirt and old oils off.
Could I use that recipe just as a soak? Who’s got a sonic cleaner?
Yes you can just use the cleaner as a soak. The only thing a sonic cleaner does is make my job faster. Even with the sonic cleaner, it does not get all the old oils out of the pivot holes.
@@justmike57 Thanks for the quick reply. I wish I googled how to fix cuckoo clocks before today. Yesterday I half heartedly took my clock apart but I was afraid to go any deeper…still not fixed but your EXCELLENT videos make it seem possible! Thank you for sharing your expertise. One of the chain pulleys doesn’t work, I hope all it needs is a good cleaning. Waiting for the clock oil that I just ordered to arrive to try again following your instructions.
These machines are sold very cheap today & worth every penny too.
I prefer mechanical dial models vs the digital designs.
The controls on digitally controlled units are really just a 3D sticker stuck on the front panel. Buttons on digital models are built the same as a singing birthday card offers.
The dial models do have a few less options vs digital styles, its like comparing digital stereos that offer more than radios did but mechanical units are simply built much better and last longer.
Both types sell rather cheap today.
Buy the one with the most "Transducers" in it you can afford, the Transducers make them vibrate, never allow one to heat empty nor empty its fluid before it cools either. The heaters can burn up without fluid to absorb its heat.
Just use care so they last! Peace
Does the aciatone eveperoate
I have no idea if it does or now. I do keep the lid on the cleaner all the time and as often as I use it, the cleaner gets changed at least once a month or so.
For those of us not in the USA what is the Green solution please
I use a clock cleaner I bought on line. This video shows the Ammoniated cleaner, th-cam.com/video/Ctbd-Vs2lNA/w-d-xo.html
This home made cleaner is used now, but I also add a 1/2 a cup of Murphy's soap that is to help make brass shinier.
Mike, in one of your videos you use an ammonia solution to clean your clock --what else is in it--do you have a recipe for this cleaner????
The green colored Ammonia Cleaner I used was a Movement Clock Cleaner. This one here is a home-made cleaner, but now I add a 1/2 cup of Murphy's Soap. The reason being is that I was told that the Brass comes out shiner.
I was anxious to see your cleaning solution, but when the ultrasonic machine came on, I knew this wasn't for me!
What was your reason for not liking the Home made mix. I use to use the ammonia concentrate that professionals used. Then switched to the non-ammonia cleaner, but the cost and the fee for shipping the product was getting too high. This works very well and you can buy all the products at your local store.
@@justmike57 The mix sounded fine, as far as I know, but I can't put out the money for the machine, just for my one clock!
I agree. But you don't need the Machine. The Ultrasonic Cleaner is only a tool to make the job faster. You can use this mix for cleaning your movement or just try the Dawn Dish Soap and a toothbrush. Let it soak in the dish soap (using hot water to start). And after cleaning, if you need the plates to be shiny, use a polish then don't forget to use toothpicks to clean out the pivots.
@@ImCarolB
Strap a pan on a mower, tiller, weedeater engine & throttle up. Id fill it about halfway with this fluid so it don't spill over.
Can start the motor & let it run till it warms up then put parts inside the pan but heat dont matter much.
Homemade ultrasonic machine is easily made but regardless check it every 5 minutes.
All one does is vibrates consistently.
Dryers vibrate real steady, anything that vibrates will work as one. Just check the parts to verify how well things are working even in a real US cleaner.
@@harryballz6358 Thanks for all that info!
What about some ammonia?
The ammonia isn't needed in this mix and not as dangerous to breath. If anything, you can add a little acetone to the mix to help shine up the brass.
Here in Canada we used to see aqueous ammonia on grocery store shelves in the cleaning aisle. Now it’s illegal. Guessing it’s thanks to McVeigh
I think the same thing happed here. This movement cleaner works just as well. There are a lot of things that were on the market but not anymore thanks to the ones that squeak the most.
I don't have an ultrasound cleaner. Do you have to have one?
No, you don't need as ultrasonic cleaner. It only make my job faster and maybe that is because I can warm the cleaner up. Using a cleaner by itself will work just fine. Thanks for stopping in Bluebonnet.
What size ultrasonic cleaner are you using? I love this video, just need to get the right size to clean
I have the 2 gallon size. It all depends on if you take your movement apart, the ease of having enough room in the basket that the parts are not stacked on top of each other and if you buy plastic baskets to put your parts in before they get set in the metal basket. There are people that buy the smaller ones that they can afford and may take more time, but still gets the job done.
Hope this help you Kevin.
do you think a brake cleaner or a carburetor cleaner work?
There are a lot of things out there that might clean the movement. You will have to do a test run to see how well it works and the cost of the product. I do believe carburetor cleaner has some kind of lubricant or something left behind when you clean with it. Brake cleaner might be the best to try because it is fast drying and cleans away everything. But for sure, to test sprays and see what it does.
I have tried brake cleaner in the past when I was away from my house and a friend asked me to work on their clocks. Just remember to wash it off thoroughly because if you dont the brake cleaner will continue to clean and eat the parts away. I wouldnt recommend it on a daily basis but only in a pinch as I mention above.
Thanks for sharing Mike
My pleasure! Miss Canadian Scrapper
You are really helpful 🙏
Glad to hear that LPN & Livelihood
Hello Mike, where do you like to buy your cuckoo parts from, various stores or one in particular? love your videos.
I have two places I buy my cuckoo clock parts from on line. www.ronellclock.com/ Just download their free catalog and call in your order or timesavers.com/c-325596-clock-repair-replacement-parts-cuckoo-clock-parts.html
Try using about 1/4th the amount of Simple Green. You probably won't notice any difference...
You could be right. When I had to clean my rental house after the renters moved out, I would use strong Simple Green to clean the paint off the light switch plates. The paint would start to lift before the hour was up. So, stronger might be better for the people that don't have Sonic cleaners. Also, I use mine until it gets discussing looking. Thanks for the comment and suggestion Keith A. God Bless.
شكرا جزيلا..فيديو رائع ومفيد جدا..
I am glad I could help Rajeh Al-Dossary,
How are you ☺️ WOW beautiful 😍❤️ very nice 💗🙂
Thank you so much 😊
☺👍👍👍👌
Thank you Ohske
Frickin acetone is the one thing no matter what, it's spilling. Lol
I do believe you are right and it didn't help that I held the can wrong for pouring. Thanks so much for watching Gruven Haus
Hi! 🖐🖐
Good Morning my Darling Kathleen Elliot.
The only thing else you can add is a can of Coca Cola. lol
I think you are right Bob, and for more action in the ultrasonic cleaner, just add Mentos, lol
@@justmike57 lol.
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Super great! Nice experience! Super interesting!.....17
Carb cleaner
Carb cleaner, Brake cleaner, I thought about it but never used them. They do have a movement spray cleaner for the people that don't want to take their movement apart Joseph Boyer. Thanks for stopping in my friend.
Hi!!!
Hello there mark edward davis
I can't believe you're not wearing heavy chemical gloves when you're handling that crap and I'm sure you don't have eye protection on either in case you get splashed in the face.
These are house hold cleaners for the most part and I do try to be careful and Not in a hurry to get this mix done. So, I don't wear gloves and I do wash my hands when any of the liquids get on them just in case. As for splashing in the eyes, for one, I wear glasses and two, I don't hold the bottles 3 feet above where I need to pour into. Safety is always in my mind and so should very body else.