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Chalet Clock Cuckoo Article

The inside mechanics of cuckoo clocks maintain virtually the same design since the day they were first created in the Black Forest of Germany. While the parts are now sometimes made out of metal and plastic instead of the all wood versions that started it all, the weights and counterbalance mechanisms that help them perform accurately and to imitate the sound of the cuckoo bird have not changed much in almost 300 years. A mechanical movement run by weights that hang from the bottom of the clock drives the action of most cuckoo clocks. Most clocks have three weights, while some larger more complex versions require three weights hanging from the front of the cabinet. They are commonly in the shape of pinecones and must be pulled periodically, depending on the model. Spring-driven cuckoo clocks never really caught on and subsequently are quite rare.

Black Forest cuckoo clocks run on a set of wheels that lock gears and provide the power necessary to swing the pendulum back and forth. Every time the pendulum makes a complete swing back and forth, one tooth of the wheel is released from the escape wheel. Each time a tooth escapes, the time train moves forward, resulting in a very small movement of the minute hand. When you first bring your new cuckoo clock home you will need to test its timing against a battery operated clock of some kind. If you measure the difference in time between your cuckoo clock and �real� time, you can then adjust your cuckoo clock to perform more accurately by adjusting the weights that hang beneath the housing. It�s always an educated guess rather than an exact science, and old fashioned cuckoo clocks are never one hundred percent accurate, but patience and readjustments made every twenty four hours over a few days will get your clock functioning as close to perfection as possible. The standard rule of thumb is to try to get your clock to miss only a few minutes per week and live with it.

About the author:
Cuckoo Clocks Info provides detailed information on Black Forest, antique, and quartz cuckoo clocks, as well as parts, repair, movement, kits, manufacturer reviews, and advice on where to purchase discount clocks. Cuckoo Clocks Info is the sister site of Grandfather Clocks Web.



Written by: Kristy Annely

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Chalet Clock Cuckoo Article

For the longest time the word "pewter" was synonymous with "for rich people only". During the 16th and 17th centuries, silverware was a luxury which only rich merchants, churchmen, kings and noblemen could afford. Then craftsmen introduced Pewter as a substitute for silver and gold.

At the time, this new alloy was composed of 70% to 80% tin and the rest of copper, lead, antimony and occasionally bismuth. Craftsmen who worked with pewter chose to make simple, finely designed, generally unornamented pieces with designs particularly adapted to Pewter. As more and more craftsmen took up the trade, pewter items became more accessible to the "common folk" and quickly became very popular. Its use spread into taverns and cottages.

When glass and pottery was introduced, pewter was not in great demand any more. Why? Because of the lead component, the pewter tarnished readily and needed frequent polishing. If the pewter was allowed to tarnish, bringing the item back to its original shine meant having to submerge it completely into a lye solution -- not an easy task!

Then along in the early 1970's, pewter making was revived, with a major difference This new modern pewter, labelled as "Fine Pewter" is composed of at least 90% tin with the balance made up of copper, antimony, bismuth or silver -- NO LEAD ALLOWED! This means that Fine Pewter items require very little care. It does not tarnish, rust, or deteriorate. What a glorious advantage for modern pewter buyers.

And that's not all. Because pewter is an easy medium to work with, artists can create 3 dimensional items with exceptional detail, items such as clocks which are exquisite in detail and charm.

In addition, since fine pewter ranks as the fourth most precious metal in the world (following platinum, gold, and silver) and manufacturing these pewter items still involves a lot of hand craftsmanship, one would think that pewter items are only for the rich. Not so! Pewter items made of fine pewter are still within a person's budget, -- and because of the hand craftmanship involved, 3D items will vary slightly so this possibility creates a market for collectors.

Also, fine pewter can be easily engraved by a competent jeweller.

So why are fine pewter clocks getting to be the �in� thing?

US-made fine pewter are guaranteed 100% lead free, and is composed of 97% tin with the balance made up of copper, bismuth, and silver

Clocks made of this fine pewter require very little upkeep, (a quick wipe with a damp clock, dry and that's it!), are safe to handle, are fairly light, and are real "eye catchers".

Add the fact that the customer can bring his/her clock to a competent jeweler and have it engraved with an inscription -- what a great memory creation!

Yes, fine pewter clocks are very collectible and affordable. A �fine pewter� clock can be cherished for its uniqueness, its longevity, and its lasting value. Get one! You will be happy you did!

About The Author

Marcelle Snyder

Born in New Brunswick in 1942, Marcelle Snyder started her teaching career at the age of 19. In 1976, she and her two daughters moved to Ontario where she continued her teaching career at Durham College. Recently retired, Marcelle picked up her second interest, decorating, and decided to sell her favourite clocks on the internet. Always interested in learning, she researched the origin and evolution of clocks, especially the grandfather clock and pewter clocks, and wrote articles summarizing some of her findings. You can read some of these articles at http://www.AwesomeClocks.com.

m.snyder@sympatico.ca

Written by: Marcelle Snyder

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