About 50 years ago, my wife and I were gifted a black forest cuckoo clock. It was a gift from some special people and means a lot to my wife. I have repaired, replaced, reworked, etc so many times that I don't know how it keeps on working. One time a I was putting it back on the wall, it actually collapsed in my hands. The old tiny plywood had dry rotted so badly that it fell apart. I actually put it all back together, with new wood, and had to fabricate the bellows that makes the noise. I know the gears have to be so badly worn that it HAS to totally fail sometime. Well, it quit working again. So this time I took it to my shop, opened and I just sprayed it with a super lubricant that is supposed to be even slicker than teflon, of so they claim. I know that spraying a mechanical clock is a NO NO, but at this point in time........it has been running for 2 hours now........I don't care.

You must have the patience of Job. I think I would re purpose the best looking parts. How about a picture?

Gerald, I was an instrument tech for many years and some of those old mechanical devices took hours and even days to calibrate. So I have a lot of mechanical patience, however with my wife, not so much The clock is still running, so it must of worked. I'll take a picture tomorrow.

7 minutes ago, Ron Altier said:

however with my wife, not so much

My Dad is same way with my Mother.  

Even if it stops, it has a special memory for you and your wife.  Just make the best look of it and keep it.  The children will get the pleasure of tossing it when the time comes.  

Gerald, here is the old clock. Over the years I glued and reglued the hands, altered the pendulum, it now has a fine machine adjusting screw and too many other things. It just never ended. I still marvel that it just keeps on coming back. The gears and pivots have to be very sloppy.

 You got lucky and as I took the picture, you got the bird too

Edited December 10, 20196 yr by Ron Altier
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That clock deserves all the loving attention you've given it, Ron. Great job keeping it running. 

Edited December 10, 20196 yr by Gene Howe

I can see why you have worked to save that beauty

I think those are rare.  I remember them being made in Germany back in the 1950's.  Folks who owned one were so proud of them.  My wife would go crazy with the koo-koo bird.  But, I would love one if I could silence it at night.  Thanks for showing.  It brings back many memories.  

Hey @Ron Altier - this is not an exact match, but maybe came from the same maker (judging by the bird on top).

https://bid.bidderone.com/m/lot-details/index/catalog/22918/lot/3328083?url=%2Fm%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F22918%3Fpage%3D4

 

There is no description to suggest it works - or not.  I plan to go up next week and look at a couple other items in the sale.  If you have any interest in this, for parts or to redo, let me know and I will be glad to check it out for you.  If you do have an interest I could do the bidding and shipping also, providing it doesn't go for a minor fortune!  This sale just got posted up, so no telling where the bidding will end up.

Thanks Cal, when this one does wear out, I don't plan to replace it. I have a condition in my hands that causes my fingers to gradually bend inward. I still do OK, but it is becoming more difficult to do small things that require good hand and finger control.

5 hours ago, Cal said:

Hey @Ron Altier - this is not an exact match, but maybe came from the same maker (judging by the bird on top).

https://bid.bidderone.com/m/lot-details/index/catalog/22918/lot/3328083?url=%2Fm%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F22918%3Fpage%3D4

 

There is no description to suggest it works - or not.  I plan to go up next week and look at a couple other items in the sale.  If you have any interest in this, for parts or to redo, let me know and I will be glad to check it out for you.  If you do have an interest I could do the bidding and shipping also, providing it doesn't go for a minor fortune!  This sale just got posted up, so no telling where the bidding will end up.

Cal that is funny cause I saw another one on Facebook last night. Had to look back at Ron's picture and sure enough spitting image, even the bird

18 hours ago, Gerald said:

Cal that is funny cause I saw another one on Facebook last night. Had to look back at Ron's picture and sure enough spitting image, even the bird

That was my exact reaction while I was looking at the auction

2 hours ago, Cal said:

That was my exact reaction while I was looking at the auction

 

2 hours ago, Cal said:

That was my exact reaction while I was looking at the auction

My grandparents purchased one, which looks like that one, during their visit to Germany in 1964.   Danl