Wooden Mechanical Metronome - Instrument Restoration

Рет қаралды 20,224

3 жыл бұрын

This German made, Maelzel style Metronome has seen better days. A fully mechanical device from around the 1950's, based off a patent from the early 1800's, this metronome has probably sat above an old piano gathering dust for quite awhile, not keeping time. In this video, I touch on some of the history and functions of the this antique, as well as explaining some of the techniques used to restore it such as polishing, staining and applying shellac in a way similar to French Polishing.
Music: www.bensound.com

Пікірлер: 74

@lukeandliz 2 ай бұрын

As a watch/clock maker, i will say that Dremel hurt my soul, but it actually working is much better than it collecting dust. Excellent work!

@RestorationEndeavours 2 ай бұрын

Thank you! What is the preferred method? Just hand polishing?

@Flyboard12345 Жыл бұрын

And it seems to be the only metronome restoration video on KZfaq of such quality

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly 😀

@genderquery 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! I appreciate the commentary and that you took the time to add captions.

@RestorationEndeavours 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks heaps. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@ivorgripes8440 2 ай бұрын

I have just found a mahogany Wittner model made in Germany with bell last used in the 1960s, some differences but your video is a good general start to get it going again. It immediately releases the whole wound-up spring.

@RestorationEndeavours Ай бұрын

Very cool! Check the the gears are meshing and not spinning free on the shafts. Though I am not sure if the bell mechanism effects it or not.

@MrsJax304 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful work

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😀

@donigor9549 2 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful job, it was a pleasure to see you working and hear the history behind the metronome. Thanks for sharing!

@RestorationEndeavours 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@swampy1584 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome finish

@dawnflynn196 2 жыл бұрын

This is really beautiful. The shine on the workings is so good even though they probably won't be seen it's great that you polished them up. Love the colour of the wood, it's so beautiful 😍

@RestorationEndeavours 2 жыл бұрын

I totally agree!

@DBKING04020 2 жыл бұрын

Stunning. I am amazed at the transformation.

@RestorationEndeavours 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks heaps, Dave ✌

@lavendergraytea Жыл бұрын

The finish is absolutely gorgeous, loved watching your work

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I ended up giving it to a friend of mine that is a musician, and his jaw dropped when he first saw it. Really nice piece to work on.

@annw1395 Жыл бұрын

Gorgeous -- I love the gloss, and the depth of the finish! Such beautiful wood!

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

Glad you like it! It has been passed on to a friend of mine that teaches music, and they say it keeps excellent time.

@RESTORATIONOFSCRAPMETAL 3 жыл бұрын

interesting project and excellent restoration. I like it 👍

@RestorationEndeavours 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@michaeltreadwell777 Жыл бұрын

I have one of these - same age, same maker, but mine has a Bell too. Mine is still in original finish, and is looking good. You did a great job of restoring this, and even cleaning all the mechanism parts ! Thanks for sharing your skills - fantastic to watch. Take care 🙂

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

I wish this was the bell version. In my research I saw them and they looked so interesting. Thanks for watching!

@LittleRestorers 3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear the history and how it all works .Great job 👍👩‍🔧

@RestorationEndeavours 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks heaps!

@羽衣甘藍奧頓 Жыл бұрын

Nice work. 👍

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying!

@myrestorations 2 жыл бұрын

Very good restoration 👍

@RestorationEndeavours 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks heaps!

@Flyboard12345 Жыл бұрын

Omg! That’s so beautiful 😍

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@Restorology 2 жыл бұрын

Great work! I really enjoy the commentary. Cheers!

@aprilangilletta2889 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great restoration video! I have an old metronome I considered restoring and that’s how I found your video. Mine does not beat evenly so it may not be worth fixing.

@RestorationEndeavours 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! It may just need tuning. If it's similar to mine, the screw on the front and how it's components are aligned effects the beat. I recently gave mine to a musician friend that told me it was a little off so I spent a few hours adjusting and tweaking and now it's as good as any he has had.

@DANYMITERESTORATION 3 жыл бұрын

I definitely remember this one from school:) Great restoration - totally enjoyable!

@kangnaroo-fk9de Жыл бұрын

Вы находка,вдохновения!

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

Такие добрые слова, спасибо большое

@KeritechElectronics 8 ай бұрын

A joy for ever! Lovely restoration.

@RestorationEndeavours 7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@KeritechElectronics 7 ай бұрын

@@RestorationEndeavours sure I did! :)

@blow-by-blow-trumpet 3 жыл бұрын

Nice. I'd like to restore a metronome I bought recently but I'm a bit nervous about taking the mechanism out. It works perfectly atm and I wouldn't want to ruin it!

@RestorationEndeavours 3 жыл бұрын

That was my reasoning behind not clear coating parts and not opening the mainspring housing. I say go for it! Worst case scenario, they can be rebalanced but just go in carefully. Good luck!

@blow-by-blow-trumpet 3 жыл бұрын

@@RestorationEndeavours I've taken the mechanism out no problem but don't think i'll be deconstructing it any further. One problem I have is that I can't remove the metal from where the winder goes in the side of the wooden casing. I've managed to get the oval front plaque off the front but the other one isn't showing any sign of movement. Have you got any tips for removing this piece?

@RestorationEndeavours 3 жыл бұрын

I had to use 2 razorblades to lift the plates a little before I could get under them. Hopefully it hasn't come off in the past and been glued back on!

@blow-by-blow-trumpet 3 жыл бұрын

@@RestorationEndeavours I got it off in the end but it was tricky. Thanks for the tips!

@petitpain4924 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I usually don't like sound over restoration videos but your explanations are really nice to hear! I just happen to have a similar metronome with a few imperfections, you made me wanna try and restore it :D

@RestorationEndeavours 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks heaps. Definitely give it a go! I finally got mine tuned in perfectly and it's so satisfying. Good luck!

@sandervandam901 13 күн бұрын

Nice job. What i don’t get is why you would skip the main spring. It is a quick and easy job to clean and reoil. With hardened sticky oil, the metronome is unreliable in its main job: keeping steady pace.

@RestorationEndeavours 10 күн бұрын

My main worry was that I wouldn't be able to rewind it properly. If I had at it again, I would give it a shot.

@guillermocorreatedesco2011 3 ай бұрын

They were common in Argentina. I have the same brand and model...

@manolocamacho6849 2 жыл бұрын

A gem the video, thank you very much. Please, I lost the secondary pendulum... how to replace it... How much does the secondary pendulum weigh in a Wittner...

@RestorationEndeavours 2 жыл бұрын

It is cast in place on mine, so I am not sure. There would have to be a mathematical way to calculate what it should be. I will try and find out!

@user-tf3lx9to7f 5 ай бұрын

Hi All was good until the reassembly of the parts. I couldn’t follow which bit went where. Is there any video where this happens more slowly ? Thanks.

@RestorationEndeavours 4 ай бұрын

Are you working on one and need advice? Also, in the KZfaq player, you should have a speed control in the settings and you can slow it down if needed.

@rodneylane7640 Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed this video. Out of curiosity, what music do you play? Piano, Guitar?

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

A little Guitar and some Euphonium back in the day!

@freeelectron8261 3 ай бұрын

Nice job. Do we get to hear it?

@RestorationEndeavours 3 ай бұрын

I haven't watched this one in awhile..... do I never actually set it ticking? It's now in use by my friend that is a conductor. I'll have to borrow it back!

@iampetergriffin 3 жыл бұрын

Wish we could hear how the actual mechanism sounds.

@RestorationEndeavours 3 жыл бұрын

I haven't tried YT Shorts yet, but I will see if I can put something up for you!

@bec_r_r Жыл бұрын

Interesting to note but Aussies make note when using slang or a term not used widely eg metho. However, in Canada and USA they don’t feel the need to clarify terms. For example 4 O steel wool, they call it, what sounds to me as 4 ott. They all say it like this.

@RestorationEndeavours Жыл бұрын

I think it is just myself realising how weird some slang can be, and that a lot of my audience is international.

@aaabbb8812 5 ай бұрын

"Ought" I hear that here in the U.S. .

@aaabbb8812 5 ай бұрын

Means "four zero" ("ought" meaning zero).

@bec_r_r 5 ай бұрын

@@aaabbb8812 In my dictionary there is "naught" meaning zero and there's "ought" meaning "I ought to be happy now I understand the meaning of ought”

@toniavanderhelm6536 4 ай бұрын

Hi - would love to know what state you are in / I have a wittner metronome that needs restoration.

@RestorationEndeavours 3 ай бұрын

I'm in southern QLD. My advice would be to give it a try and take it slow, and watch lots of videos. That's one of the ways I learn what to do and what to avoid. Good luck!