Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation
[schema_type type="HowTo" title="How to install a spring driven clock movement"]
[schema_itemprop element="span" itemprop="totalTime" content="PT30M" text="30 Minutes"]
[schema_itemprop element="blockquote" itemprop="description" text="These are the installation instructions for a Westminster spring-driven clock-kit from Clockworks.com. Please be sure to hold off on building the clock case until the movement arrives and is set up in a test environment.
This way measuring things can be done in the real world and everything will fit perfectly. The following is the mounting method for each component for the Westminster spring-driven clock-kit. Please complete them in the order that they are in the list. In other words, the following is the sequential order in which to install these parts."]
[howto_step step="1" name="Mounting the Chime Block" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/351.341.1051.chime_.rod_.adjusting.clock_.wtr_.jpg"]
[howto_step_direction]
First, the chime block will mount to the bottom of the clock case. Of course, the hardware for this comes with the chime block. It has 5 chime rods that are mounted, tuned with an overall length of about 7 1/2 inches through the block. Next, drill two holes in the bottom of the clock case to mount it in the Westminster spring-driven clock-kit.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
Use a flat screwdriver for the bolts and washers to mount the block from underneath the clock case. Moreover, the washers keep the bolts from going through the wood and they thread right into the chime block.
To help position the height, mount a spacer block on the inside of the clock case where the chime block will mount. This is optional but can help. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the chime block positioning only has to be approximate. Obviously, the hammers on the movement are meant to be bent into the final position.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
What this means is it does not have to be dead on. Pretty close to where the hammers on the movement will be is good enough. Position it so the tops of the hammer heads are about 1/8 inch down from the block that the chime rods come out of.
The final adjustment will come later when bending the hammer wires as to make the head about 1/8 away from the chime rod. This spacing between the head and the rod is so it will not thud or double hit. Bend each hammer so it sounds good down the line, and a nice song will play when done.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[howto_step step="2" name="Movement Installation" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/340020fwtr.jpg"]
[howto_step_direction]
Altogether, it plays 4/4 Westminster chimes that sounds each quarter hour and strikes the full hour. The movement comes from the factory with oil and ready for installation. Moreover, it includes the leader, the suspension spring, and the hand nut.
Subsequently, it has two square outer plates made of brass with the puzzle of gearing between them, and then it has the 5 hammers on the bottom for the westminster chime. This is an 8 day key wound movement with 100 mm plate width and height. The Hand shaft is 33.2 mm from the front plate all the way out.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
This is a front mount movement, however this can change very easily if a custom design is in need. The mounts can go on the back of the movement instead, if the set up allows for the pendulum to still swing. The mounts are a dog ear shape with holes in them.
Use some small wood screws to secure the movement. Generally speaking, this movement is sold as a front mount intention. Drill 4 or 5 inch holes in the wood on the front of the case. Of course, the movement screws to the back side of the board with the hole in it, and the dial mounts on the front.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[howto_step step="3" name="The Clock Dial" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dial.bezel_.glass_.clock_.wtr_.sm_.jpg"]
[howto_step_direction]
The dial is a light weight metal dial with gold trim. The width of the dial is 6 inches and has a 5 inch time track. The time track is the ring just outside the numerals.
Mount this by drilling small holes in the dial trim and using small nails or wood screws to secure it. Then, align the winding arbors and the hand shaft with the holes in the clock face.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
This is a light weight metal dial with gold trim. The width of the dial is 6 inches and has a 5 inch time track. The time track is the ring just outside the numerals. This is mounts by using the dial blind plate. This is the backing of the dial with the four feet.
The feet of the blind plate will lock into the front plate of the clock movement itself. This way the dial has the appearance of hanging in the air instead of a board mount. Secure the feet of the blind plate to the front plate of the movement by using taper pines to lock the feet in.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[howto_step step="4" name="Clock Hand Mounting" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dial.with_.feet_.700sqwtr.jpg" alt="Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation"]
[howto_step_direction]
Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kits have an hour hand that has a round hole and is only a friction fit onto the post. It moves forward or backward to adjust the time. The minute hand secures with the minute hand nut.
If the clock ends up chiming at other times than the quarters, do the following. Take the minute hand off of the clock. This is the longer of the two hands. With this minute hand off of the clock, turn it upside down. Notice it has a square hole where it attaches to the clock.
Well this square hole is in a bushing that will rotate WITHIN the minute hand itself. So just use needle nose pliers to turn this bushing so the square in the bushing rotates. Then put the hand back on the clock and see if it points to where it chimed. Then set to time by turning the hands backward or forward.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[howto_step step="5" name="Pendulum Installation" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/rna.pend_.wtr_.jpg" alt="Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation"]
[howto_step_direction]
Grid R and A style pendulum with a hook top. At the bottom of the pendulum is the rating assembly. A rating assembly is the nut and threads that hold the pendulum bob on.
As the name rating nut and threads indicates, its function is to adjust the time keeping of the clock. If you turn the nut at the bottom as to raise the pendulum bob a little, this will speed up time. Do the reverse for slowing of time.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
Do not touch the pendulum with your bare hands as you can discolor it. It is best to use gloves or a rag to handle it. After the movement is in, it's only a matter of hanging the pendulum on the leader. The leader is the hanger on the back of the movement that swings the pendulum back and forth.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[/schema_type]
This concludes the Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation Instructions
Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation
[schema_itemprop element="span" itemprop="totalTime" content="PT30M" text="30 Minutes"]
[schema_itemprop element="blockquote" itemprop="description" text="These are the installation instructions for a Westminster spring-driven clock-kit from Clockworks.com. Please be sure to hold off on building the clock case until the movement arrives and is set up in a test environment.
This way measuring things can be done in the real world and everything will fit perfectly. The following is the mounting method for each component for the Westminster spring-driven clock-kit. Please complete them in the order that they are in the list. In other words, the following is the sequential order in which to install these parts."]
[howto_step step="1" name="Mounting the Chime Block" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/351.341.1051.chime_.rod_.adjusting.clock_.wtr_.jpg"]
[howto_step_direction]
First, the chime block will mount to the bottom of the clock case. Of course, the hardware for this comes with the chime block. It has 5 chime rods that are mounted, tuned with an overall length of about 7 1/2 inches through the block. Next, drill two holes in the bottom of the clock case to mount it in the Westminster spring-driven clock-kit.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
Use a flat screwdriver for the bolts and washers to mount the block from underneath the clock case. Moreover, the washers keep the bolts from going through the wood and they thread right into the chime block.
To help position the height, mount a spacer block on the inside of the clock case where the chime block will mount. This is optional but can help. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the chime block positioning only has to be approximate. Obviously, the hammers on the movement are meant to be bent into the final position.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
What this means is it does not have to be dead on. Pretty close to where the hammers on the movement will be is good enough. Position it so the tops of the hammer heads are about 1/8 inch down from the block that the chime rods come out of.
The final adjustment will come later when bending the hammer wires as to make the head about 1/8 away from the chime rod. This spacing between the head and the rod is so it will not thud or double hit. Bend each hammer so it sounds good down the line, and a nice song will play when done.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[howto_step step="2" name="Movement Installation" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/340020fwtr.jpg"]
[howto_step_direction]
Altogether, it plays 4/4 Westminster chimes that sounds each quarter hour and strikes the full hour. The movement comes from the factory with oil and ready for installation. Moreover, it includes the leader, the suspension spring, and the hand nut.
Subsequently, it has two square outer plates made of brass with the puzzle of gearing between them, and then it has the 5 hammers on the bottom for the westminster chime. This is an 8 day key wound movement with 100 mm plate width and height. The Hand shaft is 33.2 mm from the front plate all the way out.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
This is a front mount movement, however this can change very easily if a custom design is in need. The mounts can go on the back of the movement instead, if the set up allows for the pendulum to still swing. The mounts are a dog ear shape with holes in them.
Use some small wood screws to secure the movement. Generally speaking, this movement is sold as a front mount intention. Drill 4 or 5 inch holes in the wood on the front of the case. Of course, the movement screws to the back side of the board with the hole in it, and the dial mounts on the front.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[howto_step step="3" name="The Clock Dial" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dial.bezel_.glass_.clock_.wtr_.sm_.jpg"]
[howto_step_direction]
Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation: If your clock dial has no 'feet' for mounting
The dial is a light weight metal dial with gold trim. The width of the dial is 6 inches and has a 5 inch time track. The time track is the ring just outside the numerals.
Mount this by drilling small holes in the dial trim and using small nails or wood screws to secure it. Then, align the winding arbors and the hand shaft with the holes in the clock face.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation: If your clock dial has 'feet' for mounting
This is a light weight metal dial with gold trim. The width of the dial is 6 inches and has a 5 inch time track. The time track is the ring just outside the numerals. This is mounts by using the dial blind plate. This is the backing of the dial with the four feet.
The feet of the blind plate will lock into the front plate of the clock movement itself. This way the dial has the appearance of hanging in the air instead of a board mount. Secure the feet of the blind plate to the front plate of the movement by using taper pines to lock the feet in.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[howto_step step="4" name="Clock Hand Mounting" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dial.with_.feet_.700sqwtr.jpg" alt="Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation"]
[howto_step_direction]
Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kits have an hour hand that has a round hole and is only a friction fit onto the post. It moves forward or backward to adjust the time. The minute hand secures with the minute hand nut.
If the clock ends up chiming at other times than the quarters, do the following. Take the minute hand off of the clock. This is the longer of the two hands. With this minute hand off of the clock, turn it upside down. Notice it has a square hole where it attaches to the clock.
Well this square hole is in a bushing that will rotate WITHIN the minute hand itself. So just use needle nose pliers to turn this bushing so the square in the bushing rotates. Then put the hand back on the clock and see if it points to where it chimed. Then set to time by turning the hands backward or forward.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[howto_step step="5" name="Pendulum Installation" img_url="/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/rna.pend_.wtr_.jpg" alt="Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation"]
[howto_step_direction]
Grid R and A style pendulum with a hook top. At the bottom of the pendulum is the rating assembly. A rating assembly is the nut and threads that hold the pendulum bob on.
As the name rating nut and threads indicates, its function is to adjust the time keeping of the clock. If you turn the nut at the bottom as to raise the pendulum bob a little, this will speed up time. Do the reverse for slowing of time.
[/howto_step_direction]
[howto_step_direction]
Do not touch the pendulum with your bare hands as you can discolor it. It is best to use gloves or a rag to handle it. After the movement is in, it's only a matter of hanging the pendulum on the leader. The leader is the hanger on the back of the movement that swings the pendulum back and forth.
[/howto_step_direction]
[/howto_step]
[/schema_type]
This concludes the Westminster Spring-Driven Clock-Kit Installation Instructions
Updated on: 20/12/2024
Thank you!