Cates Clock Repair

We offer everything you need to get your valued clock back into working order. Around 15% of the repair calls we go to involve minor adjustments which are needed to place the clock back into "beat". This process can normally be done over the telephone, saving the owner money and leaving more time for me to work on repairing other peoples clocks. If however the repair is more involved and it is a typical wall clock or table clock that needs repair, it will have to be transported to my shop, and the repairs accomplished there. In the case of floor clocks (Grandfather clocks, Grandmother clocks, etc.) the procedure is as follows:

I go to wherever the floor clock is located, be it a business or home, and take only those elements out of the clock that are needed to repair the problem. This includes the entire movement, weights, pendulum, hands, and sometimes the dial, depending on how the floor clock was orginally put together. The bulk of the clock, this being the clock case, dial and chimes (both rod and tubular) are left behind with the owner. I know of some clock repair shops that make the owners of floor clocks bring the whole clock, case and all, to their shop, but that is a practice I do not agree with. It is an unnecessary burden for the clock owner which can lead to other problems not associated with the original repair.

Once at my shop, the clock movement is evaluated for any obvious signs which would cause the clock to stop working. These problems are noted and will be addressed during the actual repair. The movement is then completely disassembled. Every gear, spring, nut, washer, lifting lever, strike hammer, etc., comes out of the movement and the plates are separated. Everything is then cleaned ultrasonically to remove the dirt, dust, grime and "clock tar" which forms on all clocks, no matter how clean and dust free your house may be. The pivot holes are checked and any that are deformed are noted for bushing repair. The gear arbors are inspected, polished and checked to make sure they are straight and true. If the clock is powered by main springs, the springs are checked to insure the spring is not "set" and in need of replacing.

At this stage, any repairs needed are accomplished, and the movement is then reassembled and checked again. If all is well, the clock is oiled, placed on a test stand and run for several days. If no problems surface during this period and the clock is running fine, the movement is placed back into its case and run for another 7-10 days. (This applies only to wall and table clocks, floor clocks run on their test stand for 7-10 days since their cabinet is still with the owner)

That, in a nut shell, is how its done. All work and repairs are guaranteed for 1 year. Of course, this guarantee only applies to the work which was done and the repairs completed, and not any new problem which may develop later on.