Seth Thomas USA Motion c1875 vs Perivale GB Motion c1950

american_clock_repair

I just lately did a restore on this Seth Thomas motion. Its the most effective trying one Ive come accross and it opens up just a few questions on what progress was revamped 100 years or so. Firstly Unwell itemise what I like concerning the ST Motion…

  • Has huge cogs in order that they dont have to be minimize as precisely and put on extra effectively.
  • Makes use of a lyre association for the highest and backside plates to avoid wasting supplies and enhance entry for meeting and upkeep
  • Has loop finish springs so that you simply dont want a spring barrel complicating issues
  • Has a easy accessible escapement mechanism entrance mounted so you possibly can see it and get to it if required
  • A good quantity of it’s made by hand e.g. the levers controlling the chime sequence. Changes are guide and dont contain fixings – you simply bend wires.
  • The escapement cog is held in place with a bent bracket – hilarious, its purported to be an space the place issues are significantly correct however the USA appeared to have ignored this and its advantageous.
  • Appears to be like implausible.

Okay all that is typical of an Amercan motion from Walsh or Ansonia or Thomas round 1850. I believe this one is somewhat later at 1875 however let’s imagine 100 years go by.

So lets examine this to the Perivale model motion of 1950. Its a really typical one of many interval and Ive chosen one with precisely the identical chime options.

  • Its machine made for probably the most half
  • It makes use of most likely the identical quantity of fabric
  • The cogs are smaller and so put on out of tollerance extra shortly than the ST clock
  • The smaller cogs are significantly delicate to mud and filth. The forces on the finish of the drive chain are very weak so a construct up of obstacles corresponding to pollen and airborne particles can cease the clock.
  • The springs are in barrells which serve little function aside from to hinder entry to them.
  • Its a nightmare to work on with out taking it utterly aside
  • Non removeable rivets are used on parts stopping replacment when worn. Its designed with a finite lifetime in thoughts.
  • Its no oil portray

Total its a win for simplicity and innovation on the a part of the USA.

The Perivale is okay and in its defence is extra compact, nevertheless, I do know which one I would favor in my wall or mantle clock.