Tower Clock Pilot Dial

More Cleaning and Polishing

Here is another sequence of pictures that show the different steps of the restoration process.

Escapement wheel assembly before it was taken off the movement.

After the rust was removed and before polishing.

Ready for paint and lacquer.

Dekalb Clock Tower History and Design

Installing a nearly 110 year old tower clock into an new tower requires consideration of not just the pragmatic but also the historical.  It is not just a clock in a tower. The tower where the DeKalb clock was originally, then the tower where it had be stored and the tower where it will run again are three different type spaces.   The nature of the tower changes how we perceive the clock. 

1902 DeKalb High School

The story of this clock begins at the site of the 1902 DeKalb High School.  During its time atop the school the clock was recognized by the 42" dial and the sound of its bell.   Located at the center of the main entry it was the main piece of the iconic elevation of the school.  Over time the bell portion of the tower was condemned for what was most likely water damage.  We have found evidence on the movement that water was getting into the room where it was stored as well. The base of pendulum is showing a considerable amount of rot and the bolt that holds the weight is showing decay as well.  There must have been a water source that would have caused water to run down the pendulum and into that connection.  In 1966 the bell was separated from the clock and moved to the front of the high school.  A new ritual began, the clock bell became a victory bell and to this day it is rung in recognition of team and individual student success. 



1974 Clinton Rosette Middle School

 The clock remained in the 1902 school until the building was removed in 1974. Clinton Rosette Middle school was constructed on the site of the 1902 building.  The clock was then stored ironical in the clock tower of the middle school.  It would then only live in the memory of the DeKalb community. 

In 2008 Scott Williams, who was then science teacher at DHS, brought three photograph slides to the new DeKalb High School design team.  The slides were images of the this clock and some of it's parts just after it was put in storage at the middle school.  He told us that the school district had held on to this piece of history and did not want to see it get lost and forgotten about. 



2011 clock tower -This picture was
 taken from the commons side
 looking back toward the main entry.

 The decision was to make it once again the focus of the High School's main entry.  The design requires the movement to be lowered from the dial elevation to the main floor level where it can be viewed from all sides.  The we will be able to get closer to the clock than ever before.  We will see the wheels turn, the weights drop and the fly spin when the bell rings. For the first time the clock will move from an exterior clock tower to an interior clock tower.  This decision will help preserve the clock for future generations.  The climate controlled tower will minimize wear and corrosion on the parts.  The dial and hands will be protected from the suns light, rain, sleet and snow. The original bell will be relocated to the new high school and maintain its use as a victory bell. A smaller bell will be incorporated for the clock to ring.

The relationship between the clock, tower, dial and school infuses the history and culture  The incorporation of the clock in the new high school will provide a powerful link between the past of Dekalb with the future of DeKalb.

http://www.atsr.com/

http://www.ttclock.com/

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.

http://www.atsr.com/

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

http://ttclock.com/

DeKalb Tower Clock - A Pile of Parts

Parts logged and waiting for attention.

Bagged and tagged.

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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.

http://ttclock.com/

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.

http://ttclock.com/