Any clockwork mechanism, be it a clock, singing bird, or whistler, is going to give better service and last longer if properly
maintained. Inside these mechanisms are gears of brass and steel, powered by mainsprings or weights which apply a good
deal of force on the gears in order to drive the movement. With a full service cleaning and oiling once every 5 years, and a
checkup with oiling every 2 years, a movement will run its best and encounter less wear and tear than one which is allowed
to run unattended.
As time goes by, the fresh oil in a clockwork mechanism begins to dry out and become gummy. In the process, the oil also
picks up tiny dust particles and this old oil and dirt mixture combine to form an abrasive action at the points where
lubrication is needed. These points, called pivot holes, are where the ends of the gear shafts rotate. This abrasive action
causes these perfectly round holes to become elongated, and after a while, the gears no longer mesh properly and the
mechanism will finally stop running. This will eventually happen to all movements that are used frequently, whether properly
maintained or not, it’s just a result of the normal wearing of parts. However, this wear can be postponed for many years
with proper care. If you follow the recommended schedule above, you will find that it is much less expensive for
maintenance than for a complete overhaul.
What is the difference between an overhaul and maintenance?
An overhaul is usually necessary once the pivot holes become badly worn. In an overhaul, the mechanism is completely
disassembled, thoroughly cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaning tank, and carefully checked piece by piece. Pivots are polished,
pivot holes get new bushings to bring the specs back to original factory standards, and all points where there is metal to
metal contact are polished and lubricated. Mainsprings are checked and lubricated, but sometimes new mainsprings are
needed if the old ones are weakened or cracked. Finally, the mechanism is reassembled and tested. When the overhaul is
finished, everything in the mechanism is in a condition as much “like new” as possible.
Why has my bird box, bird cage or whistler stopped making sounds?
Along with a clockwork mechanism, each of these items contains a bellows and tiny slide whistle. Over time, bellows
material will deteriorate to the point that air will just pass through, and not get pushed out to power the whistle. Many old
bellows coverings simply dry rot and fall apart. In addition, as the bellows pumps air through the whistle, particles of dust
and worn bellows material also get pushed through the tiny air openings. Over the years, these particles of dust and material
clog the openings.
There are many parts inside a bellows, leather hinges, delicate valves that open and close, thin wooden vanes that separate
the air chambers, and the whistle itself that is precision machined and must be handled with great care to avoid damaging the
many tiny parts. Only a qualified professional should service this type of mechanism.
If you've noticed your singing bird or whistler is getting quieter, or simply starting to whisper, then the bellows is ready for
restoration. You have come to the right place for this service. These mechanisms are actually a specialty here at Brady’s.
There are only a handful of people in the country with experience doing such specialized work.
What do you do to restore a bellows?
The old bellows is carefully taken apart, piece by piece until each component stands alone. All parts are thoroughly cleaned,
removing all traces of old bellows covering and old glue. Valves are checked, cleaned, adjusted, or replaced if necessary. All
old leather hinges are removed and replaced with fresh new leather. The new bellows covering material is installed and
carefully trimmed for a neat, professional look.
The whistle is taken apart and ultrasonically cleaned to remove all traces of dirt and tarnish. The whistle is installed back into
the bellows with a fresh leather gasket, and properly sealed to prevent any air leaks. The end result is a powerful bellows that
will provide excellent sound.
Should I think about cosmetic restoration of my antique?
An antique is only original once, so consider very carefully before deciding to have major cosmetic work done. I strive at all
times to preserve the originality of every piece that passes through the shop. However, there are times that restoration is
necessary, whether parts are missing, new hands must be made, or an item is just so dirty and tarnished that it has lost its
original beauty. When doing a restoration project, I use materials that match as closely as possible to the original, and carry
out the labor in the same fashion as was done when the item was newly made.
A very good way to bring an item back is by giving it a “Gentle Restoration”. This would involve removing grime and
tarnish, but not making it look brand new. See the Before and After pictures of the singing bird in the photo gallery for an
example of gentle restoration.
You can count on Brady’s for all of your restoration needs. From refinishing an old clock case to putting back together that
cuckoo clock that fell off the wall, I will take care of it all. If you send an item in for restoration and part of that work is
highly specialized, like restoring a porcelain dial, or re-plating a brass piece, I may need to job out such services. But I have
partnered with other professionals in order to be your one-stop restorer. This will help make it easier for you to bring that
treasured heirloom back to it’s full glory.
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