It will be held at VFW Post 4551 at 75 North Ave. Antioch, IL. 60002

The new meeting location is:
The Knights of Columbus
732 Badger Ave.
South Milwaukee, WI 53172

From either direction on Interstate 94 take the College Ave exit (Exit 319) and go East for 3.8 Miles.
Turn Right (South) on Chicago/Packard Ave. Then take the first Left (East) on to Badger Ave, go 500 feet and the Knights of Columbus building and parking lot will be on your left.

Knights of Columbus
732 Badger Ave
South Milwaukee

If you reach Lake Drive, you’ve gone a couple of blocks to far. Go South and then turn on Badger Ave.

At the The Knights of Columbus, 1800 South 92nd Street, West Allis, WI 53214.

Educational Lecture will be “Anniversary
Clocks: History and Repair”, part 2 provided by  Harry Schultz

“Show & Tell” – Bring an Anniversary clock.

A reminder that the Knights of Columbus on 92nd Street has cancelled our contract as they are selling the building in April 2019. The March meeting will be the last one at the West Allis location.

Vice President’s Message
For the January educational program we showed the first half of “Anniversary Clocks: History, Repair, & Maintenance” by Bill Ellison.
The torsional pendulum clock was first invented and patented by American Aaron Crane in 1841. Other American inventors and patents follow in 1852 and 1876, but without commercial success. German Anton Harder independently invented and patented the torsional clock in 1882 with commercial success.
Early torsional clocks can be identified by a lack of decoration above the pendulum. Before 1900 some torsional clocks had a striking mechanism yet ran for 1 year. Some clocks were made with a calendar. Older clocks have no means of leveling. Older clocks also have thicker domes with the bottom of the glass ground.  Bowler & Burdick a Jewelry store in Cleveland conceived and trade marked the term “Anniversary” clock in 1905. They imported movements from Germany and cases from France.
After World War 2 many Anniversary clocks were imported from Germany. Some-one noticed that there was a much lower customs duty on watches than clocks. By making the clock plates less than 1.77 inches wide the clocks would qualify as watches for custom duties. Early 1950s clocks had fins added to make the plates look wider. Later the fins were dropped. The pendulum guide cup was patented in 1952. In 1958 the temperature compensated torsional spring was introduced by Charles Terwilliger, greatly improving time keeping. He also published the “400 Day Clock Repair Guide”.
The March educational program will finish the second half of the DVD with an introduction to Anniversary clock repair and maintenance.

Thank you,
Harry Schulz

Here are a few pictures from our last mart. Hope to see you on the 17th.

Show and Tell: Bring an anniversary clock!

The Knights of Columbus on 92nd Street has cancelled our contract as they are selling the building in April 2019.
The January and March meetings will be held at the West Allis location.

The New Location for May and future meetings will be at: Knights of Columbus, 732 Badger Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172 .
See the Events page for meeting dates and locations.

The November meeting’s educational talk was given by Craig White on the history of James Ferguson and his design of an astronomical clock in the mid- to late-1700’s. The talk gave a description of how his clock could tell time of day and strike hours, and included a calendar with months and signs of elliptic. The clock also demonstrated the rise and setting of the sun and moon. Stars are seen with respect to time as seen in the sky. The phases of the moon are shown. Also the positions of the moon and sun are shown and their influence on tides.

Presenters and Educational programs for 2019 are:
January: Anniversary Clocks – a DVD shown by Harry Schultz
March: Second half of the DVD, covering the do’s and don’ts of anniversary clock repair.
May: Strasbourg Astronomical Clock – Craig White
September: English Watch and Clock Making Tools – Danno Osterud
November: Beyer Clock Museum – Craig White

We still have a request for an educational talk on veneering clock cases. If anyone knows someone who would be willing to present please contact Harry Schultz.

We have some Chapter 47 pins made many years ago. We will be selling them for $1/ each at the chapter meetings. Proceeds will go to the chapter. They can be worn at regionals or National events. They will also be given to anyone who buys a gold card for 2019.

The election for officers and directors was held at the November meeting. All officers and directors have agreed to stay in their respective positions for the next 2 years. Thanks to Mike Dempsey of our election committee for running the election. Also big thanks for all the work that has been done over the last 2 years by our officers and directors!

I will miss the next two meetings. Harry Schultz will be running the meetings. For the January and March meetings Harry will be showing a DVD entitled “Anniversary Clocks: History, Repair, and Maintenance” by Bill Ellison. The DVD is on loan from the NAWCC lending library. The DVD has some interesting historical information on anniversary clocks. It covers the more than 100-year history of the anniversary clock. You will learn how the anniversary clock got its name, how to date an anniversary clock, and why an anniversary clock is really a watch. The second half of the DVD covers the do’s and don’ts of Anniversary clock repair and will be shown at the March meeting.

Thank you,
Craig White

November’s Program will be presented by Craig White on the topic of “Ferguson Astronomical Clock.”
Show and Tell: Bring your astronomical clock.

President’s Message
The Knights of Columbus on 92nd Street has cancelled our meeting contract, as they are selling the building in April 2019. We will be able to meet at the 92nd Street location for our November 2018, and January and March 2019 meetings. I have found a new location at a different Knights of Columbus for the remaining 2019 meetings (and hopefully beyond). The facility is very similar to our current setup. Rent is the same and they will make the coffee and handle setup and take down. The New Meeting Location will be: Knights of Columbus, 732 Badger Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172. Check the updated list of meeting dates.

I will be giving a talk at the November meeting on the history of James Ferguson’s research in making an astronomical clock in the mid- to late 1700’s. A detailed description with photos of how his clock could tell time of day, strike hours, calendar with months and signs of elliptic. The clock demonstrates the rise and setting of the sun and moon. Stars are seen with respect to time as seen in the sky. The phases of the moon are shown waxing and waning. Also the positions of the moon and sun are shown and their influence on tides.

We still need presenters for 2019. The current list of presentations is:
Jan – No presenter yet
Mar – No presenter yet
May – Strasbourg Astronomical Clock – Craig
September – English Watch and Clock Making Tools – Danno
November – Beyer Clock Museum – Craig

We received 2 requests for educational talks. 1) Veneering clock cases and 2) How to repair of 400 day clocks. Contact Harry if you would be willing to work on presenting either of these topics or any other subject.

We have some Chapter 47 pins made many years ago. We will be selling them for $1 to anyone interested in them starting with the November meeting. Proceeds will go to the club. They can be worn at regionals or national events. They will also be given to anyone who buys a gold card for 2019.

The September meeting had record sales at the 3 silent auction tables. Bring more items for the November meeting.

Mike Dempsey presented the first part of his Tips & Tricks in clock repairing. He discussed the importance of the spring barrels as being the heart of the movement. The barrel must be properly maintained to power the movement with enough power and consistency as possible.

A method was shown to make a set of adapters to bush the barrel and barrel covers on a bushing machine. The proper removal and reassembly of a barrel using an arbor press along with an easily made closing pipe. A fixture and method was shown which can be used to re-place teeth in a barrel on a Sherline lathe. The use of parallel pliers in forming mainspring ends was also shown.

There will be some demos presented during the November Mart showing how to make and use the barrel restoring items.

The November meeting is our election for all officers, which occurs every 2 years. Please contact Mike Dempsey our election committee if you would like to volunteer for a position.

Thank you,
Craig White

September’s meeting will be on Sunday the 16th at 9:00am at the Knights of Columbus,1800 South 92nd Street, West Allis, WI 53214.

The Educational Lecture will be Clock Repair Tips by Mike Dempsey, and for the “Show & Tell” – Bring the clock you have been putting off Repairing, and get some tips!

Presidents Message

The meeting dates are set for 2019; see the Events Page for details.
Educational programs for the balance of 2018:
September: Mike Dempsey will share some clock repair tips
November: Craig White will discuss a James Ferguson-Inspired Astronomical Clock.
Talks for 2019:
January: Looking for a volunteer
March: Looking for a volunteer
May: Strasbourg Astronomical Clock – Craig White
September: English Watch and Clock Making Tools – Danno Osterud
November:  Beyer Clock Museum – Craig White

We received requests for educational talks on the following topics: 1) Veneering clock cases, and 2) How to repair of 400-day clocks. Contact Harry Schulz if you would be willing to provide a talk on either of these topics or any other subject
We have some Chapter 47 pins made many years ago. We will be selling them for $1 to anyone interested in them starting with the November meeting. Proceeds will go to the club. They can be worn at regionals or national events. They will also be given to anyone who buys a gold card for 2019.
The May meeting was well attended. We had a good turnout with the good weather. Most tables were filled with items for sale.
Mike Dempsey presented a short history of electric clocks. There have been many more electric clocks produced than mechanical ones. The first battery clocks went into production in the 1840’s but were not widely popular until the 1890’s. The synchronous clocks came out in 1930. Telechron made over 20 million of these. Even the inexpensive quartz movement is battery-powered and keeps time by a vibrating crystal. Thanks for this presentation.
Bruce Shawkey informed us of a club for active collectors and traders. It is called the “Northern Illinois Watch & Clock Club”, and has no affiliation with the NAWCC. They are primarily a mart trader-based group with occasional educational talks. They meet every month except December, on the 4th Wednesday of the month. 6 PM – 8 PM at Forest Hills Lodge, 1601 W. Lane Rd (Rt. 173), Loves Park, IL. Meeting dates for rest of year are: Sept 26, Oct 24, Nov 28.
Thank you,
Craig White

2018 Midwest One Day Watch and Clock Mart

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sponsored by The Midwest Regional

The one day mart will be held at:
The Forest Hills Lodge, Banquet and Convention Center.
1601 West Lane Rd. Loves Park, IL 61111

Sunday, August 12, 2018

No Pre-registration
Admission:   NAWCC Members:…No Charge
Non-Members:………..…$5
Tables (NAWCC Members only)….$10
Mart Setup: 8:30 a.m.
Mart Open: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Directions: Take I-39 Exit 8 – IL 173/West Lane Road; proceed west 2.7 miles, Lodge is on the left in front of the Rockford Speedway.

May’s Program  will be the “History of Electric Clocks” by Mike Demsey

Show and Tell: Bring your Favorite Electric Clock

The March meeting started out with a sad note of Jack Heisler passing away in February.
He will be greatly missed for all his shared knowledge and teaching. He also helped in many roles in our chapter. He will be greatly missed. Thanks also to a generous donation from the Don Brown family in remembrance of Jack.
I also would like to inform you that David Lee, a longtime member of our chapter was recently recognized as a fellow in the NAWCC for all the work he has done for our organization. David is currently serving in his 7th year as a national board member. David, thank you for all the work you do to help out chapter as well.

The March presentation was given by Craig White showing how lead weights are cast. It was discussed that a small addition of antimony (5%) to lead greatly improved the ability to make the casting without large shrinkage holes in the center. The alloy addition of antimony allows for approximately a 50°F window of solidification. Instead of solidifying at 621°F which pure lead does, a lead-antimony alloy starts to solidify at 552°F and does not completely go to the solid phase until 495°F. This approximately 50F° transition is often called the mushy phase. In the case of casting the lead weights this was the difference between a large center shrink hole or no shrink hole.
Next casting challenge for me is casting brass. I am sure there will be some more humorous lessons along the way in learning this process. Hopefully next year I will have a success story about casting brass. If so there will be a new PowerPoint presentation.

We had some great activity at the silent auction table where a number of items changed hands. Bring something to sell and/or be sure to check it out at next meeting.

Educational programs planned for 2018:
May: Mike Dempsey will give talk on the history of electric clocks
September: Mike Dempsey will give talk on electric clock repair
November: Craig White will discuss a James Ferguson inspired Astronomical Clock.

We will have a board meeting after the May general meeting, so I appreciate it if all
board members and officers would attend this meeting. .

Thank you,
Craig White

The Mart is March 18th at 9:00am.
It will be held at the The Knights of Columbus, 1800 South 92nd Street, West Allis, WI 53214

Educational Lecture: Craig White will discuss casting lead weights.

Thanks to Brad Smith for his presentation on Jefferson Electric Mystery Clocks. The company was founded in 1915 in Chicago IL and named after Thomas Jefferson.  They made transformers, ignition coils, fuses and lamp ballasts until after WWII.

In the late 1940’s, the company’s president and his wife were vacationing in Holland.  She saw an interesting clock in a shop window and her husband bought it and brought the “Dutch Secret” home to the US.  He purchased the Dutch patent and tooled up to manufacture the “Golden Hours” clock.

The Gold Hours were made for over 40 years and 2 million were sold. The clock division was closed in 1992 and sold to Timesavers, in Scottsdale, AZ.  Parts and instructions are still available as these clocks have a “cult” following.

In 1966, Jefferson Electric moved to Franklin, WI where today they make dry transformers.  Not a single clock of this type is in the facility.

Other models produced are, Golden Helm, Golden Minute, Golden View, Golden Secret and Suspense.

We had some activity at the silent auction table where a few items changed hands.  This will be continued at the next meeting.  Look close at the silent auction in March as there will be an item specially priced.

I have not heard any feedback about having a repair clinic.  Let me know if you are interested.

Educational programs planned for 2018:

March: Craig White will discuss casting lead weights

May: Mike Dempsey will give talk on making a die filing attachment for Shirline lathes.

September: Mike Dempsey will give talk on electric clock repair

November: Craig White will discuss his James Ferguson Inspired Astronomical Clock.

Thank you,

Craig White