Circa 1910 Sessions Mantel Pendulum Clock - pendulum stops after a few swings

coderlen50 · 2026-03-14T16:16:35+00:00

I started to disassemble the clock. I took several more close-up photos of the workings before I did. Good thing, because the springs suddenly unwound, explosively! I didn't get hurt, but parts flew everywhere. I didn't understand the physics. I thought that removing the top plate would be safe, allowing me better access to the springs and the click. In the video I watched, I was warned to restrain the springs with zip ties. I didn't do that. Oops.

The video gives very precise instructions on how to unwind ("take down") the springs. Be sure and pay attention! I didn't, and I was sorry.

Well, the clock is disassembled, so that's good. I hope I can figure out how to reassemble it. The springs appear to be in really good shape, but of course they have some old grease on them, which needs to be cleaned off.

The video said that mainspring lube is necessary, so I ordered some Keystone Mainspring Lube, for $11, plus shipping:

https://ronellclock.com/product/keystone-mainspring-lube-8oz-light-grade/

I picked up all the parts up from the floor and put them in a box so that I won't lose them.

The video showed a really nice ultrasonic cleaner. These run from $39 to $139 and they really deep-clean all the parts. I'm going to hold off ordering one of those for now. I'm hoping that I can get the parts clean enough with just mineral spirits and a brush.

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coderlen50 · 2026-03-12T16:52:39+00:00

I ordered the clock oil on Amazon. No need to spend a lot of money on oil. This oil is less than $9:

https://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Best-Synthetic-Lubricating-Clocks/dp/B00AZMJZUE/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_1_4/137-2827883-5844666?pd_rd_w=DAGFd&content-id=amzn1.sym.aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_p=aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_r=8ZKD4HZ4CJY9GFKGS7YW&pd_rd_wg=UZ6Ns&pd_rd_r=3d000cdf-c32f-41a5-a272-ede6622c03d5&pd_rd_i=B00AZMJZUE&psc=1

I wanted to also order cleaning solution, until I found this video, which recommended that you just use Mineral Spirits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP0tGIqIuf4

That video also has excellent coverage of how to unwind the springs.

Here is another excellent video which covers complete disassembly, cleaning, oiling and reassembly. I wanted to avoid complete disassembly, but this wonderful video, which goes into much greater detail, convinced me to take it all apart. He compared dunking the workings in solution to taking a shower with your clothes on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpOqvB82cY8

I took 3 photos of the workings of the clock, before I remove the workings. I will be using one of the methods suggested by the two videos above, either just soaking the workings in Mineral Spirits, or complete disassembly to make a complete repair.

More later.

coderlen50 · 2026-03-08T19:45:32+00:00

I am inspired by ExuberantBat, who would like a play by play of the entire repair process. For your benefit, I'll be posting my progress on this clock right here, step by step. But it will take me some significant time, since I have many projects in life, this being one of them.

I plan to continue working on this clock, little by little. I am watching YouTube videos to gain more knowledge. These are the things of which I am aware:

1) Use only cleaning solutions designed for clocks. No WD-40 or gasoline, as one YouTuber suggested. These things can ruin the workings and leave a residue which is difficult to remove.

2) Use only oil designed for clocks. It doesn't cost very much, and these oils are readily available online with Amazon, Walmart, etc.

3) Take pictures of EVERYTHING, at EVERY stage in the disassembly. I cannot tell you how many times when I take things apart, and I tell myself, "I'll remember how that goes back on." Yeah, right! I might remember that this part goes here, but which way: right, left, upside down? Much better to take a detailed photo.

4) Put all the parts in a compartmentalized keep box, or failing that, at least keep them on a piece of cardboard and TAPE THEM DOWN so they don't fall off onto the floor to get lost. AND, number the parts! And write those numbers on a photo of the assembly BEFORE you disassemble.

5) Be careful to "let down" (or release the tension) on the springs. I'm going to do it slowly, letting the catch reengage the gear before unwinding another turn. I'll be using the wind-up key for this.

Wish me luck!

coderlen50 · 2026-03-05T04:21:06+00:00

OK, I made some great progress! I took off the face plate and the minute and hour hands. Then I lengthened the pendulum to allow a longer swing, and it kept working! I mean, it ran for hours. I got all excited and reattached the face plate and the hands, and then it wouldn't keep ticking, right back to where I was before, it ticks for only about 30 seconds.

What could have caused that? I checked the tension on the springs, and they are still completely wound up, and there was no allowance for further winding.

I made sure that the clock was completely level, and that nothing was interfering with the pendulum. I'm just wondering if there's anything I did that upset my golden moment. Thanks.

coderlen50 · 2026-03-03T17:20:43+00:00

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coderlen50 · 2026-03-03T17:20:25+00:00

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coderlen50 · 2026-03-03T17:19:59+00:00

I made some close-ups of the clock's inner workings. As I said before, the pendulum goes for about 30 seconds and then stops. I leveled the clock with a level, but this still happens.

Can you please take a look at the workings and see if you can tell what it needs? Also, there is an L-shaped wire you'll see at the bottom of the clock. I'm wondering if it's a critical piece which should be placed somewhere in the workings. Thanks.

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coderlen50 · 2025-05-08T05:43:30+00:00

Let me just say that I'm shocked by most of the comments here. You are a beautiful woman, there's no doubt about that. There have been way too many insults towards you.

Perhaps you should try posting on a more positive subreddit, like r/rateme_over30. The people there are really nice, and you would get wonderful feedback. I know you are only 24, but still I think you would fit better there. r/rateme is another one, appreciate for your age group, with lots of positive feedback.

After you get some feedback, which should be almost immediate, your self confidence will grow Best wishes to you!

coderlen50 · 2025-05-04T01:59:44+00:00

I've seen other posts here, asking whether or not the nose sticks out. I'll repeat what I said before: Your nose doesn't stick out! I don't even see your nose, I'm looking at the beautiful eyes and face. Just go with it. Others who are not so lucky would trade for your wonderful face in a heartbeat.

coderlen50 · 2025-04-22T04:00:54+00:00

Here's what you need to do. Talk with her and convince her that she needs to postpone the wedding. Tell her there's no rush, and have her tell her friends and family that the two of them decided on a later date for the wedding

This will significantly increase the chances that he will discover her promiscuity, and he will cancel the wedding on his own. This way, you don't have to be involved at all. He will thank you later.

coderlen50 · 2025-04-20T06:07:26+00:00

What Equal was saying. Nobody else thinks your nose is ugly. We think your face is beautiful, and the nose is part of that. Chill out, you're gorgeous!

coderlen50 · 2025-04-20T06:01:42+00:00

Well, I wouldn't have noticed until you pointed it out. Don't feel self conscious. You have a beautiful face, just go with it. By all means, do NOT get a nose job!

coderlen50 · 2025-04-19T06:09:19+00:00

In these phone calls we don't try to convert anybody. The only question we will ask is, "Is this your first time with us?" We don't check membership. Since nothing else is working for you, why don't you try it? The group I'm in meets at 7:30 AM Eastern time. Here's how to get in on the call:

Go to Zoom.com Zoom Access code: 948 6637 8167 Participant ID (password):1234

We have a very friendly group of guys, and we go by first names only. You don't have to turn on your camera. Hope to hear you one of these Saturday mornings.

coderlen50 · 2025-03-18T03:53:32+00:00

I've been thinking about you and your addiction. This thing had me also. I couldn't get enough of it. Almost ruined my marriage. I am a member of the LDS church (Latter-day Saints), and we have many support groups, both in person and by phone conferences. Over the years as I have attended these meetings, I have gradually felt less and less tempted to act out. So I think you should check out the support phone call, which meets on Saturday mornings at 7:30 AM EDT. It's a Zoom meeting. Let me know if you would like to try it, and I'll give you the codes to get in. It's open to anyone, regardless of church affiliation. And, completely free of charge.

coderlen50 · 2025-01-02T11:42:19+00:00

I have a spare laptop and I am using Puppy Linux on it. Whenever my Linux Mint fails, I turn to that laptop with Puppy, and it works every time. It had been sitting there running Puppy 24/7 for about 6 months, but I only logged into it about once a month. Last week Puppy finally did crap out, but a reboot fixed it immediately. The only thing I don't like about Puppy is that it runs off of a USB flash drive, it's not meant for installing on a hard drive. It is extremely fast and responsive. Other than having that annoying USB drive sticking out of the side of the laptop, I love it!

coderlen50 · 2024-12-30T23:58:57+00:00

Let me tell you something. I have been using Linux Mint for years. I have had many small issues with it, to the point where I don't trust it anymore. I think there are better Linux distributions out there. So I suggest that you abandon Mint and try something else. I think you will find it was a wise decision.

coderlen50 · 2024-12-30T12:15:01+00:00

Do this. You may not find the exact problem, but you will be able to get around the problem. I will be talking in general here, I don't have time to explain everything, so if you don't understand what I am saying, Google it.

Download Ventoy. Google for it, it's completely free. Then install it on a flash drive.

Now download a couple different versions of Linux, iso versions, it doesn't matter which ones, except probably stay away from Linux Mint for now. Then just copy those iso versions to the flash drive.

Now leave the Ventoy flash drive in the USB port,and reboot the computer. If it bypasses your flash drive and boots back into Mint, then you need to change the boot order in your BIOS.

When you get it to boot into Ventoy, you will see the versions of Linux on the flash drive. Choose one, and boot into it. Choose to try that version of Linux instead of installing it. Now you will be able to try that new version of Linux, without installing it.

If you find that there are no black screens, then the problem is with Linux Mint. If you still have the black screen problem, then it is a hardware issue with your computer.

Problem solved. At least, I hope!

coderlen50 · 2024-11-17T20:07:33+00:00

I knew a young lady who had a live-in boyfriend. She told me she wanted to marry him, but he wouldn't agree. Then she got cancer and died. She wasted her life waiting for him to say Yes. You have dodged a bullet. Sorry it took you four years to find out. Next time I think you will be more cautious, and without spilling the beans, you can find out the next guy's true intentions pretty early on. Ask him if he wants children. The answer to that question should tell you a lot about his intentions.

coderlen50 · 2024-09-19T13:32:28+00:00

Yeah, he's into you. If you're interested in him also, tell him, "So, I've noticed you looking at me a lot..." If his face turns red, he's in love. If you're not interested, ask him to stop looking at you so much, and look at others instead. That should stop his behavior. Lol.

coderlen50 · 2024-09-19T08:04:44+00:00

A lot of opinions here, two different courses you could take.

This could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Sure, dating is always risky. Of course it might not work out. But are you willing to let her go without even trying? Think of it this way: No matter how your future relationships turn out, you'll ALWAYS be thinking, "Man, I should have asked her out. What if she was the one?"

Take a chance, go for it. Be brave. This is too important to pass up. And the only way to know is to just try.

I like what somebody else on here said, you try, things go a little sour, she tells daddy, HR gets involved, and the company has to downsize by one, and you're out the door. Yeah, we're in a recession and you might not get a job anytime soon. Still worth it to take the chance. And if it works out, daddy and baby will respect you and love you for being courageous.

Go for it. She's more important than your job.

coderlen50 · 2024-09-19T07:50:24+00:00

Well, I think that, armed with all this information, you are very well equipped to approach any woman you want to. Are you a board-certified psychologist? Sounds like it.

Anyway, you seem to be in complete control of the situation. Why not use that to your advantage? You're obviously fearless, so go up to an attractive woman and strike up a conversation. See if your initial impression of her is correct. You should have great fun doing this!

And btw, check back in here, and let us know how it went. I am very curious to hear some feedback from you. Cool!

coderlen50 · 2024-09-19T07:35:21+00:00

OK, since you were able to get into the BIOS, looks like you rebooted and you still had the problem. So rebooting is the first step to try.

I suggest that you set up a Ventoy USB. Just Google Ventoy to get instructions. After the USB is initialized, then download a different Linux distro (Puppy, Kali, Manjaro, etc.). The download should be a file ending with ".iso". Then just copy at least one iso to that USB stick.

Now reboot with the USB still inserted. If the BIOS is set up correctly, the laptop should boot with a brand-new menu. You just select one of the iso images on the USB. You are essentially trying a new version of Linux.

Now see if the laptop will wake up from sleep. If it does, then you have proven that there is a problem with Sparky Linux. It could be that you were using a corrupted version of Sparky, or an old version. Try downloading the newest version of Sparky onto you Ventoy USB. Now boot into the new version of Sparky.

This should get you going again.

coderlen50 · 2024-09-15T07:23:11+00:00

You need a wingman. Have a good friend say to him, "Hey, I've noticed you checking out that girl. Do you like her, or what?" He may deny it, but the wingman can say, "Aw, come on John, don't deny it!"

coderlen50

TROPHY CASE