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2.21.2011

DeKalb Tower Clock - A New Home

The conceptual image of the clock tower at the main entry.  The administration office is to the right and the guidance office and career center is to the left.  The commons/ cafeteria is on the other side of the clock tower.  The clerestory windows bring in warm natural light.  The deep window sills protect the entry way from the suns direct rays.
The tower ready for window frames and glass.

2.15.2011

DeKalb Tower Clock - Cleaning and Polishing


We tested many rust remover chemical solutions and found a product that dissolves the rust without damaging the metal.
Removing the rust one piece at a time and tracking them with their part numbers.
After the rust has been removed it is time for polishing.  We use a lathe, a very fine file, three different grits of sand paper and a 3M radial bristle disc (1 micron) to bring back the shine. 

 
 Before and After

DeKalb Tower Clock - A Pile of Parts

Parts logged and waiting for attention.
Bagged and tagged.


DeKalb Tower Clock - Documenting the Parts

As the parts come off the movement we carefully document where each part came from.
Each part is given a part number and located on the images.
The parts with their new part number are logged into a spread sheet that helps us to track the cleaning, repair and sometimes replacement.
http://ttclock.com/

DeKalb Tower Clock - Dissassembly

...and so it begins.
Taking the frame apart.
Ready for a paint job.
http://ttclock.com/

DeKalb Tower Clock - Existing Conditions

We photographed rigorously with the intent to create a clock manual.  Here you can see a great deal of corrosion on the steel parts.  The clock will be completely disassembled so the rust can be removed and all of the parts polished.

DeKalb Tower Clock - Getting Ready

Moving the clock around the garage.
The new clock stand that the movement will sit on.  Raising up the movement will allow the 8'  pendulum to swing freely.

DeKalb High School Tower Clock


 The clock movement from the 1902 DeKalb High School was saved and stored.  It is now being restored for installation into the new school opening fall 2011.

Scott Williams, a DHS science teacher, brought us this image during the design development meetings for the new school.  The picture shows the clock movement just after the clock was put into storage at Clinton Rosette Middle School.  This movement can turn a dial 4' to 8' in diameter and ring a bell 500 to 2500 lbs. 
The original dial was also found.  Some of the numerals are broken and need to be repaired.