Clock Cleaning and Repairing - Practical Guide for Novices

In this review of Clock Cleaning and Repairing - With a Chapter on Adding Quarter-Chimes to a Grandfather Clock, the bottom line is clear: this vintage text is best for hobbyists and beginning repairers who want a straightforward, illustrated manual to maintain and restore mechanical clocks. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its accessible, step-by-step approach that walks a novice through cleaning, basic escapement repairs, and even adding quarter-chimes to a grandfather clock in plain language. Its age shows in style but not in usefulness, and readers seeking a hands-on, low-cost reference will find lasting value here.

Key Features

• Beginner-friendly instructions: The book provides clear, step-by-step directions that make basic clock maintenance approachable for someone with little prior experience.
• Detailed illustrations: A plethora of practical drawings accompanies procedures, helping to clarify parts and actions that can be hard to describe in words alone.
• Coverage of escapements: Several chapters explain common escapement types and their repair, allowing readers to diagnose and correct typical movement issues.
• Cleaning procedures: Dedicated chapters on cleaning simple and Dutch clocks show safe techniques to remove grime without damaging delicate components.
• Quarter-chime guidance: A focused chapter on adding quarter-chimes to a grandfather clock gives useful direction for one of the more advanced but rewarding modifications.
• Practical tools overview: The section on clock repairers' tools and materials helps readers assemble an effective starter toolkit without unnecessary expense.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at woodworking and horology hobbyists, antique clock owners, and DIY repairers who prefer a hands-on, illustrated guide rather than dense technical tomes. If someone wants to learn basic cleaning, how common escapements work, or the essentials of installing quarter-chimes, this text offers a friendly entry point.

Those who should look elsewhere include professional horologists needing the latest standards or manufacturers' specifications, and readers wanting modern photos or up-to-date parts sourcing guidance; the vintage presentation and tone will feel dated for highly technical restoration work.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, novice-oriented steps reduce the intimidation factor for first-time repairers.
• Numerous detailed illustrations clarify mechanical concepts and repair actions.
• Broad coverage from tools to escapement repair and cleaning supports a range of common tasks.

Cons

• As a vintage text, it lacks modern photos and contemporary parts references, which may limit use for advanced restorations.

Specifications

Title	Clock Cleaning and Repairing - With a Chapter on Adding Quarter-Chimes to a Grandfather Clock
Author	Bernard E Jones
Audience	Novice and hobbyist clock repairers
Primary topics	Cleaning, escapement repair, tools, quarter-chimes
Illustrations	Many detailed, practical drawings
Condition	Vintage text republished for affordable access

Our Verdict

Clock Cleaning and Repairing is a practical, low-cost reference for anyone starting in clock maintenance or caring for antiques. Its clear instructions and plentiful illustrations make routine cleaning and common escapement repairs attainable, and the chapter on quarter-chimes adds useful scope. For novices and collectors seeking a concise, usable manual, it represents good value despite its vintage presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book explain how to clean a grandfather clock?
Yes. It includes chapters on cleaning simple clocks and guidance applicable to larger movements, plus a specific chapter on quarter-chimes for grandfather clocks.

Is this book suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. The text is written with a novice audience in mind and includes step-by-step instructions and many illustrations to aid beginners.

Will it help with modern replacement parts?
The book focuses on techniques and repair methods rather than contemporary parts sourcing, so it is less useful for locating modern components.