vicarz: (Vampire (new))
[personal profile] vicarz
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151292951748176&set=pcb.10151292956033176&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151292952503176&set=pcb.10151292956033176&type=1&theater

(not sure the links work)

A couple days ago I ran into our property manager in my building - I think he had just shown this couple furniture in a unit downstairs. The couple has barely been there, splitting their time with this location and a ski resort area - they've decided to go 100% resort and are having the items sold off with the balance to go to charity.

I didn't see much of interest (never, ever, buy a sofabed) (I've slept on the floor over a towell, and I've moved a lot of furniture - never, EVER, buy a sofabed) in the furniture - but on top of a bookcase I saw the mantel clock from Sessions Clock Company. I want to look it up but there is no model # (or it faded past existence). The sign said it was $35, as always I paid at least a little less and picked it up for $30. I had no idea of the value, but it had the key, was made of wood, and smelled like my grandma's house. I looked inside and saw gears, pulled the hammer back and let it hit the "spring," which gave a low pitched GONG. Yoink.

I found a similar one on ebay that looked in worse condition for $200. I fiddled with it and wound both holes (it seems one is for the chime, one is for the clock) and started the pendulum. Did I mention it's a manual clock with mechanical-only action? The chime is a coiled spring that sounds...much larger than it is. It sounds colonial.

However, it would start...but then sort of faded out, the pendulum coming to rest after less than a minute. I figured I could pay a clock person to work on it (I know a, possibly now homeless, man who fixed my last mechanical timer). The problem was in my earlier ignorance I wound the clock - probably too much, with the coiled springs practically flat (unwound the spring has air between the coils, fully wound there is none). I left the back open and when I thought of it I'd touch the pendulum to let out tension a few seconds at a time.

This morning I hit the pendulum. Cable tv had given an odd series of clicks and died. I was then on the computer loading up my auctions in diablo, when I heard a GONG from the living room. I walked back out there, and found the clock was still ticking. Still...ticking. I stopped the swing for a bit because by coincidence the clock was about 15 minutes off the time. At about the right time, I started the pendulum again.

It's still working as of this post. It seems to have accurate time.

My clock is haunted.

Date: 2013-02-20 12:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kitteblue.livejournal.com
If you ever need it repaired, I have a guy that we use for my grat grandmothers clock we have.

Date: 2013-02-20 01:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vicar.livejournal.com
That is fantastic, thanks!

Date: 2013-03-01 11:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vicar.livejournal.com
I do actually - I think the email I have for you is out of date. Whom do you recommend?

Date: 2013-02-20 06:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] djpsyche.livejournal.com
My sofabed is awesome. Such things come in very handy for things like watching movies snuggled up with someone you like snuggling up with, out of town guests, and when you break up with the person you're living with.

Date: 2013-02-20 08:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vicar.livejournal.com
Floor. Or a bed. My god I hate moving, or using, couchobeds. I have no problem snogging or sleeping on a regular couch.

Date: 2013-02-25 04:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] detroitos.livejournal.com
I picked up a large manual clock at an estate sale last year. When I got it home I wound it up and it seemed to work fine but I noticed after a day or so it was off like 15 minutes. Eventually the middle pendulum dropped all the way down but the ones on each side stayed wound tight. I guess you never know what you are going to get when you buy used.
Edited Date: 2013-02-25 04:48 pm (UTC)

Date: 2013-02-25 04:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vicar.livejournal.com
I'm not unhappy - that it worked at all for $30 was outstanding. A friend has noted a possible repair shop - even if I can get it to work, I think I want to ensure it's oiled or whatever it might need to prevent future damage.

The pleasure I've had already from the BONGs is worth many times more than $30. If it burst into flame or was struck by an asteroid I'm still happy for the experience.

Date: 2013-04-06 12:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fitfool.livejournal.com
or maybe you fixed it!

Date: 2013-04-06 02:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vicar.livejournal.com
Haunted. Definitely haunted.

Profile

vicarz: (Default)
vicarz

May 2018

S M T W T F S
   1234 5
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated May. 25th, 2025 03:59 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios