Large Clock insert fit-ups??

[kmmcrafts]

Okay so.. I recently started selling some wall clocks that require the 2-1/2 and 3 inch inserts.. while I have sold only about a half dozen so far half of those the customer has contacted me saying the clock stopped working.. and another customer mentioned today to me that the clock gains time.. so I should be happy that it still works at least right, LOL... just not working correctly, LOL

 

Anyway.. for those that make and sell clocks.. where do you buy quality clock inserts?

 

I buy my clocks from woodworkingparts.com.. they give a 90 day warranty on the clocks from date of purchase.. well most every time the clocks sell after that 90 days so I am SOL.. I then tried a company that claims to sell all USA made quality clock inserts.. which is.. clockparts.com .. while communicating with a sales rep there via email I find out that their higher priced clock fit-ups are the exact same clock as the lower priced ones from woodworkingparts.. as they are just a distributor..

 

So.. with all that said.. where does one buy quality made clocks in the larger size... I say larger size because I have sold 100's of desk clocks with the small 1-7/16 fits ups without a single complaint.. but those larger ones are nothing but junk.. and I refuse to sell this crap to my customers anymore until I find a quality clock..

 

I may just have to redesign my wall clocks to use the clock motors rather than the inserts.. as I have never had any issues with those either.. but I really like the look of the inserts better for some of the designs i have..

 

Thanks you for tips / advice for these clock fit-ups

 

Kevin   

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/21804-clock-inserts/?hl=%2Bclock+%2Binserts

[Rob Roy]

Okay so.. I recently started selling some wall clocks that require the 2-1/2 and 3 inch inserts.. while I have sold only about a half dozen so far half of those the customer has contacted me saying the clock stopped working.. and another customer mentioned today to me that the clock gains time.. so I should be happy that it still works at least right, LOL... just not working correctly, LOL

 

Anyway.. for those that make and sell clocks.. where do you buy quality clock inserts?

 

I buy my clocks from woodworkingparts.com.. they give a 90 day warranty on the clocks from date of purchase.. well most every time the clocks sell after that 90 days so I am SOL.. I then tried a company that claims to sell all USA made quality clock inserts.. which is.. clockparts.com .. while communicating with a sales rep there via email I find out that their higher priced clock fit-ups are the exact same clock as the lower priced ones from woodworkingparts.. as they are just a distributor..

 

So.. with all that said.. where does one buy quality made clocks in the larger size... I say larger size because I have sold 100's of desk clocks with the small 1-7/16 fits ups without a single complaint.. but those larger ones are nothing but junk.. and I refuse to sell this crap to my customers anymore until I find a quality clock..

 

I may just have to redesign my wall clocks to use the clock motors rather than the inserts.. as I have never had any issues with those either.. but I really like the look of the inserts better for some of the designs i have..

 

Thanks you for tips / advice for these clock fit-ups

 

Kevin   

Have you tried klockits Kevin, they sell insertion movements. Hope this will be of some help.

Rob Roy.

[Scrolling Steve]

I have purchased exactly 4 clock inserts from Sloan's Woodshop, I still have 2 of the clocks and they are keeping good time after more than 90 days......One thing i noticed during my search for inserts was your price for the same works were all over the place price wise......This may be one of the few cases where you do not get what you pay for !!??!....When I buy again I will buy from sloans again.....Good luck ! 

[Rolf]

I have bought all of my movements from Sloans 

[kmmcrafts]

I have been on the phone a good portion of this morning with different suppliers etc.. so far my findings are that the clocks are all from the same manufacture.. I also contacted the manufacture and asked about the clock motors for different models of clocks..

 

Turns out that JT's theory of the premium clocks having a better motor is false.. the motors are all the same motor just the bezel is metal and a glass lens are the only differences between the premium and the economy fit ups.. so in my mind.. spend your money wisely since ( so far ) all these distributors are selling the same clocks with different prices.. Now.. maybe a few years back they did offer a better motor..

 

While I may have run into a bad batch of these larger clock fit ups.. my findings of quality so far are.. about 40% of my customers that I sold clocks to with these larger fit-ups in the last 6 months have contacted me about their clocks stopped working and or they are not keeping time.. I am mailing out new clocks to these customers way more than I should and the supplier I used doesn't want to warranty them after 90 days of purchase date. which i might be okay with IF it was 90 days from when I sell the clock.. otherwise many of them I have on hand here before selling for up to 6 months... the manufacture acts like they want to help me out but I didn't keep my invoice so.. BTW. if I remember correct the manufacture warranties them for 1 year 

 

I so far will play this off as a possible bad batch of clocks.. I intend to continue to sell these and see what happens over the next year... meanwhile I am keeping all these invoices and if I continue to have issues.. then the company will be hearing from me.. and I most likely will stop using these clocks altogether..

 

Really a shame these days that companies will put money ahead of quality.. and quality products are getting harder to find..

 

Kevin  

[ike]

i BOUGHT 3 CLOCKS FROM THE WOODEN TEDDY BEAR AND i HAVE 2 HERE AT THE HOUSE  THAY ARE 2 YEARS OLD AND KEEP PERECT TIME.

tke

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Hello Kevin

 

First off let me start by saying I have been in the craft business for over 30 years and have sold tons of clocks because that is my prime theme of my projects. Every clock I sell I always tell the customer the clock insert is guarenteed for life any problems contact me or send it back and i will replace for free. In those 30 years do you know how many I have had returned. ZERO that is right ZERO. Now maybe something went wrong with the clocks but there is no way I would know about it if they did not contact me. Maybe they lost my card. Everyone gets a business card and that included when I sold on consignment. They were always included. That is the first thing.

 

Next is the company you bought from is a distributer of many things and they buy in bulk. They are not a clock company. You mentioned that you spoke to other companies. Can you list what companies you spoke to and then you say you spoke to the maker of the inserts. That one I would truely love to hear about. Who was this person and do you have the phone number. 

 

Next is you asked or mention about the 3 standards of clocks. Nowhere did I say they use different motors. The quality is in the parts used. Use the economy inserts and watch how many plastic parts come back broken along with the motors. Huge difference. That is why most clock companys will not even sell economy inserts. 

 

Now I have been away from the craft industry for the past 3 years due to illness and family situations. I have not bought clock inserts until just recently and if you check my past posts I mentioned there has been a huge shake up in this area. I can not get clock inserts that I use to be able to get many years ago. 

 

Next point. Where are the inserts you bought being made???  It should say right on the back. At one time and I still have a ton of them they were all made in Germany. Great clocks never a problem and used a "N" cell battery. Then they started making them in the USA and most that you see being sold by the reputable dealers are USA made. Now I know who use to make them and that is why I want to compare what you said. These are all triple "A" batteries now. Now there are the china made inserts and say right on there. They are economy inserts.

 

Here is 3 companies I have dealt with and can say carry good quality and I never had any problems. I have bought many other inserts but they are much more expensive.

 

  www.clockworks.com/clock-movement/clock-inserts.html

 

www.sloanswoodshop.com/clock%20inserts.htm

 

The third one I will not post because it is showing it is an unsecure sight. I do not know why. 

 

Anyway to sum this up I believe you either got a bad batch of inserts or they are not good quality and made in China. I try to keep to a certain style of insert so that I usually can pick out if I made the clock or not. I had a person try to return a clock to me saying I sold it to her and the clock stopped. I clearly knew it was not my clock but I replaced the insert for her for free anyway. Good luck with this.

Edited February 24, 2017 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[hawkeye10]

Hello Kevin

 

First off let me start by saying I have been in the craft business for over 30 years and have sold tons of clocks because that is my prime theme of my projects. Every clock I sell I always tell the customer the clock insert is guarenteed for life any problems contact me or send it back and i will replace for free. In those 30 years do you know how many I have had returned. ZERO that is right ZERO. Now maybe something went wrong with the clocks but there is no way I would know about it if they did not contact me. Maybe they lost my card. Everyone gets a business card and that included when I sold on consignment. They were always included. That is the first thing.

 

Next is the company you bought from is a distributer of many things and they buy in bulk. They are not a clock company. You mentioned that you spoke to other companies. Can you list what companies you spoke to and then you say you spoke to the maker of the inserts. That one I would truely love to hear about. Who was this person and do you have the phone number. 

 

Next is you asked or mention about the 3 standards of clocks. Nowhere did I say they use different motors. The quality is in the parts used. Use the economy inserts and watch how many plastic parts come back broken along with the motors. Huge difference. That is why most clock companys will not even sell economy inserts. 

 

Now I have been away from the craft industry for the past 3 years due to illness and family situations. I have not bought clock inserts until just recently and if you check my past posts I mentioned there has been a huge shake up in this area. I can not get clock inserts that I use to be able to get many years ago. 

 

Next point. Where are the inserts you bought being made???  It should say right on the back. At one time and I still have a ton of them they were all made in Germany. Great clocks never a problem and used a "N" cell battery. Then they started making them in the USA and most that you see being sold by the reputable dealers are USA made. Now I know who use to make them and that is why I want to compare what you said. These are all triple "A" batteries now. Now there are the china made inserts and say right on there. They are economy inserts.

 

Here is 3 companies I have dealt with and can say carry good quality and I never had any problems. I have bought many other inserts but they are much more expensive.

 

  www.clockworks.com/clock-movement/clock-inserts.html

 

www.sloanswoodshop.com/clock%20inserts.htm

 

The third one I will not post because it is showing it is an unsecure sight. I do not know why. 

 

Anyway to sum this up I believe you either got a bad batch of inserts or they are not good quality and made in China. I try to keep to a certain style of insert so that I usually can pick out if I made the clock or not. I had a person try to return a clock to me saying I sold it to her and the clock stopped. I clearly knew it was not my clock but I replaced the insert for her for free anyway. Good luck with this.

Thanks John I have been looking for a place to buy clocks from. The last ones I bought was from Klock-Kit and they were not that good. Sloans is only about 10 miles from me. I have been wanting to go over there but I have been just to lazy.

[kmmcrafts]

The company I bought from is just a distributor you are correct on that part...

 

Clocks I buy are listed on the web pages from the distributor as made in the USA... while the clocks themselves do not have any where on them that says where they are made..I even looked where the battery goes.. no markings whatsoever.. There other companies are actually just other distributors ( I should have worded that different.. ) 

 

Innovation Technologies is the company that makes the clocks I was getting out of California.. I talked with a fellow named Todd Hanson ( I believe ) via email..

 

Depending on the size of the clock insert but some of them use a N battery.. I really have only had issues with the 3-1/2" inserts.. not any issues whatsoever with the small inserts..

 

I called around to different distributors to see what brand clocks they are selling.. Klockit wouldn't tell me.. said they wasn't allowed to disclose that info, LOL.. I told them they must not what my business then.. I am looking to buy any USA made clock that is not a innovation technologies brand. LOL

 

The place you mention JT.. those clocks look to have a much better warranty.. I plan to see what they are offering when I get a few minutes..I just know that most all the distributors I have seen online that sells other items are dealing with the innovation technologies inserts.. Tried calling Sloans but couldn't get through to a person..

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

If they do not say in big bold letters made in the USA they are not. (Also Japanese better than Chinese. I mention this because be careful with motors also)

 

You want some real good quality buy from here. I use their inserts and never had a problem. But you will pay.

 

 

www.theisenclock.com/index.html

 

 

Here is the third site I tried to get up before. I bought lots  of inserts from these people and again never had a problem. They are based in Canada though. They use to make me custom inserts. Have not dealt with them in over 3 years as I mentioned. They stopped carrying many of the inserts I was buying from them so it was not lucrative any more. But it is an option. It is all I can tell you and that maker is not the one I knew. Again this is a few years ago and I am out of the loop for that long now. 

 

 

www.clockparts.ca/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=384

 

 

 

 

One more thought for you. If you want a great insert Seiko inserts are some of the finest. I bought many through Alibaba.com. Takes quite  awhile to get but you need to order in bulk. I know I may sound like I am all over the place but I am giving you all the places I had success from. Never bought from the place you mentioned and never will now. 

Edited February 21, 2017 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

JT, Thank you very much for sharing these places to buy clock inserts from.. I had been looking for a while now and keep coming up with places that sell the exact same junk I had been buying.. There are prices all over the place for the same dam clock.. I was just about to give up making the larger wall clocks.. but I like to make my scroll sawing / woodworking items a functional piece.. and really enjoy making clocks..

 

I will be checking out the clocks from these places you mention.. I tell you it can't be any worst that the ones I am using, LOL..

 

Thank you again,

Kevin 

[amazingkevin]

Okay so.. I recently started selling some wall clocks that require the 2-1/2 and 3 inch inserts.. while I have sold only about a half dozen so far half of those the customer has contacted me saying the clock stopped working.. and another customer mentioned today to me that the clock gains time.. so I should be happy that it still works at least right, LOL... just not working correctly, LOL

 

Anyway.. for those that make and sell clocks.. where do you buy quality clock inserts?

 

I buy my clocks from woodworkingparts.com.. they give a 90 day warranty on the clocks from date of purchase.. well most every time the clocks sell after that 90 days so I am SOL.. I then tried a company that claims to sell all USA made quality clock inserts.. which is.. clockparts.com .. while communicating with a sales rep there via email I find out that their higher priced clock fit-ups are the exact same clock as the lower priced ones from woodworkingparts.. as they are just a distributor..

 

So.. with all that said.. where does one buy quality made clocks in the larger size... I say larger size because I have sold 100's of desk clocks with the small 1-7/16 fits ups without a single complaint.. but those larger ones are nothing but junk.. and I refuse to sell this crap to my customers anymore until I find a quality clock..

 

I may just have to redesign my wall clocks to use the clock motors rather than the inserts.. as I have never had any issues with those either.. but I really like the look of the inserts better for some of the designs i have..

 

Thanks you for tips / advice for these clock fit-ups

 

Kevin   

i can't afford new so i get from the thrift store ,looks kike for a dollar more i could get new.

[kmmcrafts]

For what it's worth.. I ordered a 3 1/2" clock from clockworks site.. states on the page that the clock is USA Made and has a 3 year warranty.. While I did only order the standard fit-up because I am sending it as a replacement insert for one that has failed to a customer.. the standard one was the only one that would fit the 3 inch hole that my customers clock has.. so i couldn't try the premium models because they are for a 3 1/8 or 3 1/4 inch hole..

 

Anyway sad to report this clock just arrived here about 15 min ago and I have inspected inside and out... compared it to the clocks I had here on hand from a different supplier.. and guess what... Same Dam clock.. just higher priced... probably higher priced because they have to replace about a 1/3 of them under warranty..

 

So far in looking for Seiko clocks.. I only see the 1-7/16" or a 2-1/8 inch option for the inserts?  Now.. I don't mind spending good money on a good quality clock... but I am getting quite frustrated spending good money for the same dam junk I already have.. and if you call these suppliers they won't talk about what brand they sell.. so far I am only finding one brand by ordering samples of clocks from several different suppliers.. Probably the only maker of this size clock?? 

 

JT I don't see anywhere on this store where they sell inserts?   http://www.theisenclock.com/large_clock_fitups.html 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I am sorry I am out of options for you. As I said it has been awhile since the last time I ordered clock inserts especially that size. 

 

Here is the link to the clock inserts they sell. Only one type so there is no picking from them but quality is top notch.

 

 

www.theisenclock.com/large_clock_fitups.html

 

 

 

www.theisenclock.com/clock_parts.html

 

 

I really and truely do not know what to tell you. I linked a page on Steebar site. I use to do work for them. Many of the patterns they sell are mine and my clocks I made are the ones shown. My example is on the 3-1/2" insert page. All those clocks shown there are the same company and everyone of them I have used. The 12 clocks in pattern form all use those inserts. When I made those clocks they sat on my desk for 2 weeks before I sent them to the owner. All worked perfectly and kept time. Again after that I have no way of knowing. I still have many of the inserts today because I bought in bulk. Now did they too change distibutors I have no way of knowing. This company changed hands when the original owner died and now this company has a very bad rep. I would not order from them. But I am just giving you examples. I do not think you will find a company that sells that large of Seiko inserts unless you buy direct from them. That is a china company.

 

 

 www.steebar.com/90-mm-inserts-clocks-3-1-2-inch/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have this motor in your inserts you bought from that company???  Do you know what this is???  This is the same exact motor you would buy if you were building the clock from scratch parts like I think you mentioned at one time. They use this motor in their larger inserts too. It fits in the case when you get to that size. Just wanted to point this out if you are thinking of going that way. Buying a bezel and all will cost more for sure but the motor is the same. Good luck because this is all I can add. 

Edited February 24, 2017 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

Yeah I took the clocks apart and they just have the clock motor in them.. there are no markings whatsoever saying where they are made.. but the webs sites I have purchased from all say made in the USA.. but the clocks themselves do not say anything on them.. I have some clock motors that say made in the USA.. as I do buy those in bulk.. but I only have a few of those left.. I wonder if the next batch I order will be the same..  it's a shame that companies put their greed above quality these days.. but then.. many people look for cheap rather than quality too so... it kind of makes sense for the companies to cut cost and go with the flow I suppose..

 

Thank you for all the help you have offered,

Kevin  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Kevin I do not believe it is a case of greed at all. I believe it comes down to who is supplying those inserts. I say this 1000 times more. There was a change in the clock insert business. The people that use to make those clocks do not make them any more. Ask Wildwood Designs. They carried that line of clock inserts and now they are made by a different company. I know this how??? I ordered clocks from Wildwood or Cherry Tree whatever you want to call them and their clocks are not the same. They do have some older stock but I will not buy from them ever again. Had my run in with them. 

 

One company will supply all these other vendors. They are at their mercy because they can not order from China because of the number you need and they need so many different varieties and can not sell that many. 

 

I just looked at the inserts I have and plain as day it is marked Takane as the company of the motor and made in the USA right on the motor and also on the housing. That is the name you are looking for. They were the company making all these. I say were. Not sure who is making them now. 

 

Just remembered one other very good source I bought inserts from and also many other things is National Artcraft

 

 

www.nationalartcraft.com/categoryB.asp?gid=2&cid=43

 

 

If you noticed the name on that motor I showed is from the first link I gave you and it is a Time One insert made in China. Maybe they were the suppliers for awhile. Now who knows. I have been away too long to keep tract. 

Edited February 25, 2017 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

The clock motors you mentioned (Takane) are the motors I have that I use for my clocks.. they can still be bought at clockparts.com as I just ordered some and I just looked and that is what they are.. I wish they used that motor on the inserts... It appears I have two options.. one is to redesign my patterns to use just the motors and a dial or scroll out the numbers for the clock.. or... buy the inserts and buy the motors to change out the junk motors that they put into the inserts LOL.. maybe I could recoup my money by selling the junk motors on ebay LOL..

 

Clockparts will make custom clock parts.. mostly dials etc.. I might contact them and see if they will change out the motors on their inserts to the USA made motor.. They say you have to order 100 at a time i think is what it says.. that isn't any big deal to me.. since that is how I order the motors and small inserts anyway.. 

[kmmcrafts]

You click here they will show the back side of the motors they sell.. This is the motors that I buy.. awesome motors.. if you hover over the photo it will show the name on the back.. I have several on hand but they all have a longer stem that wouldn't work for the inserts..When looking at their clocks I found that their press on clock with no threaded shaft motor says made in the USA.. but.. they do not show the back side of the motor.. and that motor looks much like the ones that come in my inserts.. I wonder if this motor style is the only one made and those are the ones they use in the inserts.. not sure the smallest threaded shaft motors would fit into a insert with the lens on it.. Hmmm.. maybe I will place a small order and do some experimenting..

 

 

https://www.clockparts.com/american-made-mini-quartz-movements/

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

That is where I got many of my themed clock inserts from and back then they were using the Takane motors because that is what I have in mine. As I mentioned they use to make many of my themed inserts and use to carry many more than they have now. Good to see they have the military ones still. Use many of those. I believe those were his designs. He had a graphics designer working for them. I hope you get things worked out. You could ask them if they can make the inserts the way you would like and not have to swap things out. 

Edited February 25, 2017 by JTTHECLOCKMAN