Improving friction
Many clocks, including French mantel clocks, have the movement held under tension in their cases by screw adjustment from the rear. However, if the screws are over-tightened damage can be caused to the case, or the thread may be stripped on the screw or, more often, on the thread of the straps. Conversely, if the screws are not tightened sufficiently, when the clock is wound the whole movement may rotate, causing the pendulum rated movement to go out of beat.
My solution is to improve friction between the case and the rear face of the front bezel. This can be achieved by coating the rear face of the bezel with a rubber contact-type adhesive (such as Thixofix), which must be allowed to dry completely before the movement is fitted into its case. This process must not glue the movement to the case, merely provide extra friction to prevent rotation when only moderate tension is applied from the fixing screws.
Howard Thompson, UK
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