Horological CASE STUDIES
Eight black forest cuckoo – type clocks, two used three train grandfather clocks and two antique disc pendulum anniversary clocks were selected as test subjects. In order to observe the effects of changing the lubricants applied to them.
* Cuckoos – All clocks were operating for several years prior to this test. Condition of the clocks varied from very early wooden – plated 30 hr. time and strike to more modern Regula and Shmeckenbecker cuckoos.
* Two antique (early 1900′s) disc pendulum anniversary clocks.
* Two three train grandfather movements dated from the early to mid 1960′s were selected as well
RESULTS
All clocks exhibited increased pendulum motion. Vibratory pendulums experienced an average of 14% more movement. Rotation of the disc pendulums increased by an average of 27%.
The motion of these regulating devices is often used as an indicator of the mechanical condition of the clock.
With the increased motion at the pendulums, timekeeping was in all cases found to be more consistant.
This was most apparent with the anniversary clocks. This type of clock is notorious for poor timekeeping. Pendulum rotation with older disc pendulum clocks can pose difficulty adhering to the 3/4 turn minimum.
Both of these are now running with more than 360 degrees of rotation.
No mechanical “tricks of the trade” were used on any of the test clocks, operation has been critically observed for eleven and a half months as of this writing.
Testing and observation continues.
Tungsten Nanospheres appear to result in a ‘stronger – running’ more consistant timekeeper. Prior to the application of Tungsten Nanospheres, many of the clocks had reliabity problems (stoppages) so far, this observance has stopped. The only difference is the application of Tungsten Nanospheres lubricants.
CONCLUSIONS
Application of Tungsten Nanospheres results in an increase of pendulum motion, ostensibly due to an increase of power applied to these parts.
Increases in pendulum motion always result in more consistant timekeeping.
Longevity of this lubricant can be no less than the base stock, which is 5 – 10 years.
The running of the clock is observably better with the use of Tungsten Nanospheres.