Hamilton 340-020

QuestionEdit

Mr. Newman; Thank you SO much for taking the time to share with all of us. I found you quite by accident, but I am so glad I did. My Mother got the Hamilton 340-020 for a retirement gift in 1985. When I moved her into her new home last year, she said her clock had not worked in years. I brought the clock back to Maryland with me and found a beautiful little shop called the Northside Clockshop. Walking into that shop was like taking a step back in time. They did a TOTAL clean and lube of the little clock. Here is my dilemma. She lives in Albuquerque and I am going to ship the clock to her. Can you give me an idea of where and how to properly secure the workings, hammers, etc for shipment. I have small blocks of various materials I can use. I am an Aeronautical Engineer and have access to very high tech anti-static and anti shock packing materials, but just don't know where to put them so not to damage anything. Thank you for your input, and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

AnswerEdit

Hi, Randy. Thank you for asking about packing a clock for shipment. I receive quite a few clocks that have not been packed securely and have sustained damage. Fortunately, the 340 movement is a balance wheel type rather than a pendulum type. These are easier to pack. Internally, the only thing you have to be concerned with are the chime rods and hammers. Most of the 340 movements have a silence/transport lever. It is the silver lever that pivots on the left side and you can raise manually to lift the hammers. It is a friction fit, so it will stay in place. If it does not have a lever, I carefully insert a piece of soft foam to keep the hammers from bouncing. I use a small block of foam to wedge between the chime rods and case to keep them from vibrating while transporting. Being an aeronautical engineer you know how vibration affects metals. The constant unrestricted vibrating of the chime rods will stress the until they fracture and break off. When I receive clocks with one or two rods broken off after transporting, I usually replace the complete set, as the other rods are probably ready to go too. As far as the packing of the clock, I would wrap it firmly in bubble foam with at least 4" thickness on all sides. Then I put it in a box and fill any corners with additional wrap so it doesn't shift. It's usually a little overkill, but I sometimes double box with another couple of inches of insulation between the boxes. I know your mother will enjoy the clock and a Merry Christmas to you all, too.