The Workshop
The Clockmaker
Keeping Traditions alive in a Modern World
My name is Josh and I've been repairing and restoring antique clocks since 2023. I've always been intrigued by old mechanisms and enjoy fixing things.
I trained as a Fine Artist at Loughborough University before going on to complete my teacher training at Strathclyde University. I now work full-time as a high school Design & Technology teacher at Ballakermeen High School, Douglas.
I began fixing clocks after inheriting a chiming clock from my grandfather, Michael Vaughan. I never met my grandfather as he died before I was born. However, I grew up knowing that he kept many clocks and that he used to maintain the local church tower clock, ensuring it kept accurate time for the whole village.
Whenever we would visit my Granny's house the ticking of clocks was all around and every hour the whole house would ring with the sound of a dozen clocks chiming and striking in unison.
The Workbench
Most clock repairs, from disassembly to reassembly, happen at the workbench. There are a variety of specialist tools used in clock repair, however some are much more ordinary.
Ultrasonic Cleaner
After disassembly, nearly every clock will be cleaned with specialist clock cleaning fluid using the ultrasonic cleaner. This uses high-frequency sound waves transmitted through the liquid to gently clean the parts.
Metal Lathe
It is important that clock parts remain concentric and straight and a lathe is vital for this. In repair work, the most common task for the lathe is polishing the pivots at the end of each arbor. Occasionally, it is necessary to create replacement parts or to correct damaged ones, for this the lathe is essential.