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Bakelite Repair on 1938 Westclox Paperweight Clock

Marsimaxam
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I bought one a few weeks ago in excellent condition, but I saw another recently that needed some work. With the pandemic and fires raging, I had time on my hands. The movement just needed a little oil, the Bakelite base would present more of a challenge. Matching the finish and color of 80 year old Bakelite proved difficult. I used epoxy resin, blended in some coloring, and polished and finished with an electric hand drill using sand paper discs of varying grit with a touch of Brasso. Now, just need to apply a satin varnish coat to the repaired area which should darken color and match finish.

Westclox Celestial Clock Paperweight circa 1936 - 1938

As purchased:
60E171CA-D8E9-4A8F-83A3-C656EDD7CA47.jpeg

After Repair Pre- Varnish
10395CCA-DBE0-4E07-9391-48407F577749.jpeg 00D937FB-005C-4388-9BEB-8C9CAA7094F8.jpeg
 
SkunkPrince
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I've always wondered about those. Same movement as a Baby Ben?

I've gotten some of my clocks running but not by taking them apart, just cleaning them off as they are and reoiling.
 
Marsimaxam
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It's a fairly simple and hardy movement, I don't believe it is exactly the same as a Baby Ben, but I'm sure it is similar in design... no alarm.
A number of Westclox clocks, and I am no expert, I believe you can't even disassemble. It keeps good time, but power reserve is less then 24 hours and movement case is less then 3 inches in diameter.
 
SkunkPrince
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Marsimaxam Marsimaxam
It's a fairly simple and hardy movement, I don't believe it is exactly the same as a Baby Ben, but I'm sure it is similar in design... no alarm.
A number of Westclox clocks, and I am no expert, I believe you can't even disassemble. It keeps good time, but power reserve is less then 24 hours and movement case is less then 3 inches in diameter.
The bulk of mine are the older ones, some Style 2, a bunch of Style 5 and Style 6, a handful of others, including Waralarm. Fortunately for me, the mainsprings go in and out without a tool, so cleaning those off and reoiling them is pretty easy.
 
SkunkPrince
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I do have one of those pedestal clocks... has a movement with aluminim plates that doesn't come apart... and it's crap because the holes are well worn.
 
Marsimaxam
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wsfarrell wsfarrell
Very nice work, and thanks for the details.
Thank you. Bakelite is notoriously difficult to repair especially if there is a chunk missing from a conspicuous part. Most just repaint after the repair is done, but, paint doesn't always stick to bakelite. From a foot away, I can't tell if there is a repair, but my OCD may get the better of me and I may continue to work on the base till when I use a 10x loupe.... it looks clean, well, maybe not.
 
Marsimaxam
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Part of the difficulty is nothing looks like pressure-molded phenolic.
Not to mention the toxicity. Note to self... wear an N95 mask. I did.
 
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