Foundational Repair Skills 1

Description: The Foundational Repair Skills 1 workshop offers a basic understanding of fundamental operations in clock repair, restoration, and conservation. Seven skills will be developed that provide participants a solid foundation in measurement, tool-cutting, working with a four-jaw chuck, machining arbors on a lathe, polishing pivots, replacing pivots, and making and installing bushings.

This workshop will cover:

1.      The basics of precision measurement using the micrometer and caliper

a.      Participants will learn to accurately read vernier calipers and micrometers, although beginners may find that they prefer to use electronic digital instruments. Both styles will be available for use.

b.      Participants will measure inner diameter, outer diameter, depth, and length of various objects to practice and hone measuring skills.

2.      Grinding and sharpening lathe-turning tools

a.      Tool-cutting, tool geometry, and cutter material (i.e. carbide vs high speed steel) will be discussed.

b.      Participants will shape their own right-hand cutter out of high speed steel (HSS) using a grinder, then polish the edges to sharpness using a lapping machine.

3.      Dialing in a four-jaw chuck

a.      Overview of lathe terminology and operation

b.      Participants will learn and practice a method of “dialing in” a four-jaw chuck using a dial indicator. This allows work pieces of various shapes to be held and machined with precise concentricity.

c.       Runout and alignment of the headstock will be discussed and demonstrated.

4.      Measuring a cut and turning to numbers

a.      Participants will learn to read a technical drawing and identify critical dimensions.

b.      Backlash will be discussed, and its adjustment in the lathe demonstrated.

c.       Participants will learn to read and zero the handwheels on the micro-lathe.

d.      Radial and diametric notation will be defined, and participants will clearly understand the connection between turning each handwheel and moving the cross-slide and tailstock a specified amount.

e.      “Feed and speed” will be discussed; chatter will be demonstrated.

f.        Participants will machine an arbor and pivots to dimensions on the lathe.

5.      Pivot polishing

a.      Polishing pivots by hand, with burnishers and stones on the lathe, and on the Rollimat will be demonstrated.

b.      Polishing pivots on the lathe with a combination pivot file and burnisher will be demonstrated.

c.       Participants will polish the pivots on their machined arbor using the lathe and combination pivot file and burnisher.

6.      Repivoting an arbor

a.      Participants will learn a repivoting process in which an arbor is prepared for a new pivot, the new pivot is machined, and finally the new pivot is inserted into the arbor to replace the old pivot.

b.      Participants will repivot one side of their machined arbor using this process.

7.      Making and installing bushings

a.      Multiple methods of making and installing bushings will be demonstrated.

b.      Various bushing machines systems (commonly used on American clocks) will be discussed and demonstrated.

c.       Participants will learn to machine bushings to a specific dimension using the lathe.

d.      Participants will learn a technique to install bushings in the plate so they are almost invisible – a crucial skill for restoration.

e.      Participants will learn to broach open pivot holes and cut oil sinks.

Equipment & Materials: All materials, supplies, and machinery will be provided. Bring safety glasses, an apron or clothing protection, and any magnification devices (visors, loupes) you may need. Safety glasses, aprons, and magnifiers can be supplied if needed.

Date: November 7-9, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: NAWCC School of Horology, 454 Poplar Street, Columbia PA 17512

Instructors: Kevin McCauley, William Forney, Sam Gradel, Ken De Lucca

Enrollment: Limited to 8 participants

Member Cost: $850
Nonmember Cost: $975

Please contact Ken De Lucca, Education Director, at kdelucca@nawcc.org or telephone 717-684-8261, ext. 237 with questions.