Frank and his workshop

SERVICES OFFERED

Free consultation. Call and describe the item and its problem(s).
Free estimates on repair services (carry-in only)
In home repair estimate
House calls on grandfather clocks
Pick-up and delivery (optional)
One year warranty on repair work

Other services include:
Brass, pewter, and ivory repair
De-denting
Custom-made missing parts

Wooden clock cases in need of restoration are handled by an associate woodwork expert trained in Florence, Italy.

Owners of valuable collectibles:
Ask about certificates of evaluation for insurance or re-sale purpose.

Frank has an extensive knowledge of technical antiques and their current market values. He was contracted by the Glenbow Museum to evaluate their antique firearms collection prior to a sale at Christie's and by the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff for the evaluation of their collection of old surveying instruments.


ABOUT FRANK

Fifteen years ago, an avid collector of mechanical and scientific antiques retired from the hectic life in an architect's office to do what he loved the most: repair and restore all things mechanical. He has never looked back. Frank's clients reside as far as Halifax and include the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, the Roulston Museum in Carstairs, Alberta, and the majority of Calgary antique dealers.

Although clocks form the main bulk of his workload, Frank does not shy away from the unusual to the downright bizarre objects that inhabit the world of collectibles. If your item is supposed to move one way or another, click and turn, or play a tune, he will find a way of bringing it back to life.

Here is a partial list of the various items Frank has worked on recently:

Vienese quart-hour repeating bracket clock by Miller&Son, 1700
Victorian chime clock with wooden bearings (circa 1840)
19th century brass telescope made by Tully of London
Victor table gramophone, circa 1910
Japanese mechanical toy, 1950
Dutch-made wall aneroid barometer
1969 Buick Electra car clock
American electric mantel clock Telechron (circa 1940)
Merry-go-round musical box, 1950
1903 Edison cylinder phonograph
Swiss cuckoo clock with water mill, dancers, and music box (circa 1960)

Frank works from a centrally located private workshop in Killarney. Give him a call at 403-228-6963 or contact him at pragensis2000@yahoo.com


WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CLOCK

Like all precision mechanisms, your clock needs regular maintenance to keep running reliably. If your clock stops and you spray the mechanism with oil to make it go again, it will continue to wear badly, because it is still dirty. As dust gets in the mechanism, the oil becomes an abrasive paste which causes severe wear to pivots and pivot holes. The longer the clock runs in this condition, the more repair it will need. To insure an optimum performance, have your clock serviced every three years. The maintenance check up includes cleaning and oiling, checking the condition of the movement and the security of the mainspring ratchets.

Has your clock been neglected for more than six years? In that case it will need a complete overhaul. This consists of the movement being taken apart and cleaned, the pivots polished, worn pivot holes bushed, worn out pinion wires replaced, the mainspring ratchets checked and repaired, the mainsprings checked, any other necessary repairs carried out. Then the parts are cleaned again, the pivots given final cleaning, and then the movement is assembled and lubricated.

What to do if your clock does not run

There are a few things you can do yourself before calling the repairman.

Make sure the clock is fully wound.
Make sure clock is on a level and stable surface. If necessary, insert carboard under one or two corners. For a wall clock, move the bottom to left or right.
Make sure the hands are not bent and catching.

Things to avoid absolutely:

Never use lubricants that are not designed for clock use. Never use kerosene. DO NOT use sprays or oil every joint and gear in sight. With air-conditioned homes it is even more important to maintain a regular oiling schedule, as air conditioning dries the oil faster due to humidity reduction. Clock movements usually need to be removed from their case for proper oiling of all critical points. NEVER MOVE HANDS BACKWARDS past Six and Twelve. NEVER MOVE A PENDULUM CLOCK WITH THE PENDULUM SWINGING.

Moving your clock

Always remove the pendulum before transporting a pendulum clock, to prevent damage.