We hope you can find everything you need. Wollaton Clock Services is focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction - we will do everything we can to meet your expectations. Wollaton Clock Services focuses not only on clock repair and clock restoration but also on clock dial restoration and clock case restoration.

 

 

Wollaton Clock Services was established back in 1980. Coupled with experience within the trade, including an apprenticeship, prior to that, in all, the main restorer has clocked up 40 years of experience covering the repair and/or restoration of practically every type of domestic clock as well as a few turret clocks.

 

Clock repair, it seems, takes on many forms! All too often we see clocks that have been through the hands of no doubt well-intentioned individuals who have sometimes been able to get the clock running again but have left it in such a sorry state that the wear rate has been greatly accelerated in the process, and often with punched up pivot holes (instead of bushing), glue, solder and inappropriate oil everywhere!

 

Wollaton Clock Services has the mindset that we are here as custodians of some of these wonderful clocks and we should therefore leave them in as good a condition as possible to pass down the generations. We do not have a 'just get it going for now' approach!

 

Although we have clients in America, most of our work is much closer to home!

Derby andDerbyshire, and Lincolnshire are all covered.

 

 

We collect far more clocks than are actually brought in. We also deliver and set up in your home practically every pendulum clock we restore. This has proved to be very popular and removes the uncertainty of whether a customer can get the clock running as it should, by themselves.

 

When we take a clock in for repair, the customer is given a numbered repair ticket receipt. This is followed with a computer generated receipt which includes a picture of the clock and also gives an idea of likely cost.

 

Your clock will be completely stripped down when a better idea of required work can be established.

Usually parts then have an initial clean in ultrasonic tanks for most parts. *Repair work is usually carried out next before finishing the cleaning process and final assembly / testing.

 

*Repairs are too numerous to cover here but the most obvious are truing and polishing pivots and bushing pivot holes where they have worn elongated. Pallet faces often need refacing and are always polished. Our well equipped workshop includes 3 different sizes of lathe to assist with such tasks as pivot polishing, barrel bushing and the like. We also have a dedicated milling machine and dividing equipment for cutting wheel teeth, pinions etc.

 

Only the very best quality materials are used. If we were able to buy some of the lubricants we use in a 5 litre can, rather like car engine oil, instead of the small bottles as supplied, 5 litres would work out at nearly £7,000.00 (excluding vat!). Food for thought for the man with his can of 3-IN-ONE Oil or WD40!

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work at Wollaton Clock Services is guaranteed as you would expect, but our guarantees are for 13 or 18 months depending on the type of clock.

 

We have to hand, two of the best dial restorers in the country. They specialise in restoration to longcase dials both painted or brass / silvered and will be pleased to discuss options and costs for your dial from light conservation work through to a full restoration. Please see the Examples of Work page for more pictures. Some of their work is regularly on display at events at the British Horological Institute at Upton Hall nr Newark. Thanks to Stagecraft Exhibition & Display Equipment for the display stands.

 

Some of this is done 'in house'. For more involved and extensive work the case goes to one of our specialists. Examples of case restoration can be seen on the Examples of Work page. The customer is always advised as to which course of action is recommended and the customer decides which route, if any, he or she decides to take.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have the experience and expertise to replace missing parts and make new wheels, pinions, barrels etc as appropriate, although things can start to get a little more costly! Practically all work is carried out in our well equipped workshops, with the exception of dial restoration and some of the more extensive case restoration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately clocks don't tend to get a second thought whilst they are running. As soon as they stop after sometimes years of neglect and struggle, their owners seem astonished! Would they carry on using their car until it ground to a halt? Not usually - they would have it regularly serviced. Similarly, a clock is a mechanical device with moving metal parts and lubricants. After a time, oils degrade and dry up as dirt accumulates and wear will be the inevitable result. Some dirt is very abrasive and this becomes embedded in the softer brass which wears the steel running against it. Pivots and pinions suffering in the main.

 

The pictures below show a wheel and pinion. The depth at which the wheel drives the pinion is important. There should be a rolling action rather than a rubbing action. Clocks are often neglected and pivots and pivot holes become worn. As a result, the depth can become more shallow which increases drag and, at the same time, increases wear. Sometimes, usually as a result of poor previous bushing, the wheel and pinion may mesh too deeply. This causes greater friction and can lock up.

 

 

 

 

 

Rather a short sighted view to say the least. If your car is running fine, would you wait until it grinds to a halt before having it serviced? (Not usually!)

Regular maintenance of any mechanical device will inevitably prolong it's life, keep it more original as components will not need to be sourced / re manufactured so frequently, as well as help maintain it's value. Without the need to have parts made, this will keep costs down.

 

Clocks are the type of item that are handed down through the generations - would you want to leave your loved ones with a tired old wreck?

 

Leave it alone and don't use it until you can afford to have it overhauled properly!

Don't oil it - this can sometimes get a clock running again short term, but in the meantime wear will be greatly accelerated and future repair will be more costly. Also, originality may well be compromised.

In the meantime don't store it in the garden shed, attic, cellar, conservatory, unheated garage etc! If you think where you would be happy living - you won't go far wrong! (Not too cold or hot, or humid)

 

Poorly fitting keys will wear the barrel arbor square corners and could slip altogether and possibly cause injury. Slightly worn barrel arbors can be 'tidied up' and then require a better fitting key. Badly worn / chewed arbors will need replacing. Nearly all arbors will need to be made specially for your clock - much more expensive than having a key that fits in the first place!! If you need a key please see the Links page with regard to sizing.

 

Very occasionally. For a good quality antique clock, please see details on the Links page.

 

         Look around our website and if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a clock to repair, or clock restoration in mind or need any advice relating to this, please contact us. Wollaton Clock Services will try to assist if we possibly can.