Pivot Replacement Steve Callihan, FBHI Its no good dodging it any longer.

That clock is dead and will not tick again until that sloppy center wheel pivot is sorted out. Pivot replacement can be fun with adequate preparation. Previous triumphs cleaning and repairing clocks needing the odd bushing have had a salutary effect on your confidence. Begin by reading several sources listed in the bibliography. Each author offers different insights into the process as well as additional techniques to cover special situations. Master the necessary lathe skills by practicing on scrap metal before attempting an actual pivot replacement. Gathering essential tools and materials in advance will help prevent frustrating delays. Its time to review the Pivot Replacement Checklist. Pivot Replacement Checklist Background Information (What must I know to succeed?)

Pivot/Arbor Design Pivot Inspection Criteria Ten Steps to Pivot Replacement Materials Selection Hardening and Tempering Steel

Required Skills (Do I have enough experience?)

Graver Sharpening Drilling/Boring Shoulder turning and facing Cylindrical turning Pivot Polishing Pivot Burnishing Measurement Techniques

Essential Tools and Materials What must I buy or borrow?

Lathe with suitable tooling Hand Gravers {VERY Sharp} Micrometer or Dial Caliper Pivot File Pivot Burnisher Drill Bits Hammer {Arbor press optional} Bench Block Drill rod

Pivot wire Music wire 2/0 to 4/0 Emery paper

Pivot Design Considerations The simplest course would be to duplicate the dimensions of the pivot on the opposite end of the arbor. However, the other pivot is often a different size. (Viz. Great wheel arbor) This also leaves no margin for any eccentricity in planting the replacement pivot. Stock that is three or four-thousandths larger than the pivot hole is a good choice for pivot holes that are original and round. Turning and polishing the new pivot will provide an opportunity to get a perfect fit and the correct shoulder dimension. Even if the replacement is slightly off-center, this extra diameter provides sufficient material to turn the pivot true. If the pivot hole has been bushed or otherwise damaged, determine the pivot diameter using the following guidelines.

It is usually preferable to install a slightly oversized pivot when the original size is

unknown. If the replacement is too small, it may fail in use. It will certainly wear faster.

The larger clock arbors rotate slowly with relatively heavy loads. The pivot diameters for these are typically 75 to 90 percent of the arbor diameter. Shafts higher in the train turn faster with lighter loads. These have pivot to arbor proportions of approximately 60/40 to 70/30. In The Modern Clock Mr. Goodrich states,"in clock and other light work a "square" bearing is enough; that is one in which the length is equal to the diameter". He is probably correct in the context of requirements for a new clock design. However, many pivots in older clocks are two or three times longer than his rule might suggest.

Pivot Inspection Criteria

Pivot fits and finishes are crucial to clock performance. Proper side shake allows the arbors to rotate freely and maintain correct depthing.

Pivot side shake should not exceed four thousandths of an inch or be less than two thousandths except under unusual circumstances.

Highly polished and burnished pivots help keep friction at a minimum and keep oil in place. Remove minor scratches and stains by polishing. Deep grooves and pitting must removed by turning. Replace pivots if refinishing would leave less than 70% of the original diameter.

Ten Easy Steps to Pivot Replacement 1.Remove the remnants of the damaged pivot flush with the shoulder. Mount the arbor securely in the lathe. This is the most important part of the process. A pivot can only be produced on-center if the arbor is free to rotate without vibration or deflection. If the wheel and pinion are near the end of the arbor with the damaged pivot, secure the arbor in a chuck or collet and proceed to Step #2. Smooth turning is difficult if more than about an inch of the arbor extends from the face of the chuck. Many times the

position of the wheel and/or pinion precludes the use of a collet or chuck alone. These situations require the use of addition support for the arbor. 2.Maintain the correct shoulder-to-shoulder dimension. Remove only enough material to ensure a flat surface for Step #3. 3. Locate the true center of the arbor. Adjust the lathe tool rest to a height that puts the cutting edge and point of the graver exactly at the center of rotation of the arbor with the handle at a comfortable angle. Position the rest very close to the end of the arbor and at a 90-degree angle to it. Start the lathe turning very slowly in reverse and lightly touch the point of the graver to the exact center of the rotating arbor. If it touches anywhere else, STOP. The point has caught at some radius and will revolve around the center. If it is allowed to continue, it will cut a male cone on the end of the arbor, which will prevent the drill in Step #5 from working oncenter. When the point of the tool contacts the exact center, it will catch the center and remain motionless. When this happens, apply a slight pressure to the graver. This will cut a shallow female cone in the end of the arbor.

4.Prepare a replacement pivot. Select a tempered steel rod of suitable size to replace the damaged pivot. Make the pivot replacement at least twice as long as the finished dimension from shoulder to tip. This means half the pivot is planted in the arbor and the other half is free. Its diameter should be four to five thousandths larger than necessary for the finished pivot. Test drill a scrap of rod to determine which drill will produce a good press (interference) fit. An interference fit of .001" is ideal for clock arbors. DO NOT attempt to press fit hardened steel. 5.Drill a socket on-center to receive the replacement pivot. Use the drill selected in Step #4 to produce a socket depth equal to one-half the length of the pivot replacement. 6.Drive or press the replacement pivot into the socket. 7.Check the pivot for eccentricity. 8.Turn the pivot true (as required). 9.Polish the pivot 10. Burnish the pivot.