Troubleshooting Forestville Mantel Clock Repairs: It's no jovial experience when malfunctions occur! (Part 1)

Troubleshooting Forestville Mantel Clock Repairs: It's no jovial experience when malfunctions occur! (Part 1)

In the heart of Toronto, Ontario, a vintage Forestville Clock from the 1960s has found itself in need of a repair. The pivot of the center gear has sheared off during servicing, a common issue in vintage mechanical clocks due to friction and wear.

The Forestville Clock Company, originally known as the Blackforest Clock Company, was founded by Austrian immigrants Leopold and Sara Stossel in 1928. The company rebranded in 1941 due to anti-German sentiment during World War II, and during the war years, it imported its clock movements from England, the United States, and France. Starting in the mid-1950s, German factories became the main source of most Forestville clocks, with Mauthe being a major supplier.

The Forestville Clock Company was very successful during the middle decades of the twentieth century, selling its clocks through department and jewelry stores across Canada. Most Blackforest and Forestville mantel clocks still have their paper labels tacked inside the back door, serving as a testament to the company's history.

The repair of the sheared pivot involved inserting a wire and installing a bushing in the front plate. A high-strength Permatex Thread Locker Red was used to secure the pivot wire. The new pivot is currently working okay, but the user is not fully convinced that the repair will be successful.

Regarding pivot repair and maintenance challenges specifically for Forestville clocks, there is no detailed direct information available. However, based on typical challenges with vintage mechanical clocks, delicate handling, proper cleaning, inspection, and sometimes re-bushing of worn pivot holes are necessary. Specialized tools like pivot files and burnishers are often needed to refurbish pivots. Replacement parts for Forestville clocks might be difficult to source due to the company's closure decades ago, requiring expert repair or custom fabrication.

Restoration typically involves thorough cleaning, lubrication with proper clock oil, and adjustment of the escapement and gear train. Forestville clocks, known for their reliability postwar, still require experienced horological care to maintain or restore working condition due to their mechanical complexity and age.

If you are dealing with a Forestville clock pivot repair, expert clock repair professionals or experienced hobbyists specializing in vintage Canadian and American clocks would be best equipped to address these challenges. The results of the repair will be presented on November 25th.

1. Despite its need for repair, the vintage Forestville Clock from the 1960s is a testament to the company's success during the middle decades of the 20th century, when the company sold its clocks through department and jewelry stores across Canada.
2. The repair process for the sheared pivot of the Forestville Clock involved delicate handling, inserting a wire, installing a bushing, and using a high-strength Permatex Thread Locker Red to secure the new pivot.
3. In the home-and-garden section of a popular shopping retailer, you might find a collection of vintage clocks, including a Forestville mantel clock with its paper label still intact.
4. While extensive direct information about repairing and maintaining Forestville clocks is scarce, it's recommended to clean them thoroughly, lubricate with proper clock oil, and adjust the escapement and gear train for successful working condition.
5. On November 25th, the user will present the results of the Forestville clock pivot repair to friends and family, hoping that this vintage piece will continue to be a cherished part of their lifestyle.
6. Restoring a vintage Forestville clock to its original working condition is not a DIY task, as it requires the expertise of a clock repair professional or an experienced horologist, particularly one who specializes in vintage Canadian and American clocks.

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