Typically, the things that show up on Resurrection Upcycle are rehabs of tired furniture, things that have been beaten down, and often curb and junk store treasures. But today finds me doing something a bit different. It's positively a first attempt at anything like this, and it was an interesting journey.
We've been preparing for a move and as a part of that, there is massive amounts of cleaning out that has to be done. Some things aren't difficult to part with, but some things that others may consider junk... well, those must stay. That's what I tackled today.
We came into posession of these two little treasures many years ago. One from a sweet family friend, and the other was actually from my dad.
This little clock was passed along to us about 30 years ago as something we might enjoy. It didn't work when we got it, but an excellent clockmaker was able to get it running. I'm not really sure of it's value, but it's stamped "Western Germany" on the back so at the very least, it's something unique.
Unfortunately, it was interesting to tiny hands as well and finally fell victim to a bit too tight a wind and the removal of some of the setting knobs. Amazingly, we managed to keep track of them and so I had all the pieces to put it back together.
My thinking was that it was already inoperative, so what was the worst I could do to it? I didn't doubt that I could reassemble it, even if I wasn't able to get it running, so I got out the tiny screwdrivers and started taking it apart.
Then I started poking around to see if I could figure out how it worked. Seemed simple enough so I just got some lightweight oil and oiled the gears and started gently tapping the pieces here and there, and it came to life!!
Now to the alarm, which is actually a tiny music box. My methods were the same and once again, it started working and playing it's familiar tune.
Now at this point, I'll admit that when I opened it up, along with a couple of easily identifiable parts, there was also a spring and a small plastic... something. I couldn't figure out what they were intended to do, and the clocked worked fine without them. So I taped them inside the case with a note about why they were there and the date that I took it apart and fixed it.
One down, on to the next!
This actually isn't a clock, but an interval timer. My dad used it in his dental lab, and when he closed up shop, I became the proud owner. It never worked for me, but I remembered the sound of the bell when it went off.
It's probably from the 50's and when I got into it, I saw that I wasn't the first one to take it apart. The face cover had been held in place with tape, so I replaced it with fresh tape. There were a lot more pieces and parts in this one than there were in the little clock!
Undaunted, (remember? It was broken anyway) after taking the back off, I once again began poking around. Since the oil worked once before, I tried it again, but this time it took a bit more effort. It was pretty grimy on the outside and the inside wasn't much better.
It was easy to get the bell working, and eventually I figured out the timer as well.
I got it running, first only laying on it's back, but with a little patience, I got it running sitting upright as well.
So I would say it was a few hours very well spent. If I were looking to start another career, I might be willing to explore clock repair!!
There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every matter under heaven...
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together.
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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