Pandemic provided an opportunity for maintenance of my clocks, enabling me to grasp the concept of "vibration in harmony"
Antique Clock Collector Overcomes Sympathetic Vibration Challenge
In the world of antique and vintage clock collecting, a dedicated enthusiast has made significant strides, amassing a collection spanning over six years. One of their latest acquisitions, a circa 1850 Scottish tall case clock, has captured their attention particularly.
The collector's journey is not without its challenges, however. One such hurdle was the issue of sympathetic vibration, a harmonic phenomenon that can affect the operation of tall case clocks. This issue was evident in the Scottish tall case clock project, where the mechanical coupling and resonance caused certain vibrations to amplify undesirably, interfering with the pendulum motion and eventually causing the clock to stop on the sixth day of its weekly cycle.
Sympathetic vibration arises when oscillators, such as pendulums or clock mechanisms, couple through a shared medium, like the clock’s structure. This can lead to resonance at specific frequencies where small mechanical disturbances are amplified rather than damped. In the case of a clock operating on a weekly cycle, the mechanical stresses and subtle interactions transmitted through the clock case or supporting structure can cause a buildup of vibrational effects by the sixth day that disrupt the pendulum’s stable oscillation.
To address sympathetic vibration in a tall case clock, the upper part of the case can be fastened to the wall, the case mounted on a solid foundation, or a block of stiff foam rubber placed between the stand and the wall.
The collector's video showcase of their collection of antique and vintage wall clocks, available on YouTube, offers a glimpse into their passion. In the 21-second video, viewers can see their collection, which includes two German time and strike clocks, a Mauthe and a Muller, as well as a Gufa Westminster chime clock. The individual also restored and serviced several Arthur Pequegnat clocks, including a Bedford shelf clock, Maple Leaf "pointed top", and Simcoe.
Despite the challenges, the collector expresses enthusiasm for their collection, even lamenting a potential purchase of a Pequegnat clock not materializing. They encourage viewers to comment on their videos and share in their passion for antique and vintage clocks.
As the world grapples with the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, the collector has found increased productivity, using the time to delve deeper into their collection and projects. Writing during the final stages of the pandemic, with many rules in place due to a large number of active cases (as of May 2021), the collector continues to make strides in their pursuit of antique and vintage clocks.
