Temco
Updated 18 October 2016.
The history of the Telephone Manufacturing Company of Britain (TMC), who made synchronous electric clocks using the trademark Temco, is complicated and unclear. At the outbreak of the First World War it was no longer possible to import telephones from Germany so the TMC was formed to manufacture them. TMC went public as the Telephone Manufacturing Company (1920) Ltd. In 1924 it was known as the Telephone Manufacturing Company Limited and, after a re-organisation of activities as the Telephone Manufacturing Co. 1929 Ltd. TMC’s founder, F T Jackson died on 14 August 1959. In the 1960s TMC was taken over by the Pye Group and became Pye TMC ltd. For further information click the link below and see the references below.
Bob’s Old Phones http://www.bobsoldphones.net
PHILPOTT S F. Modern electric clocks. Second edition. London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd, 1935.
Production of Temco synchronous clocks appears to have started in about 1931 and ended some time after 1952. TMC had several factories, in Britain and abroad. In 1937 Temco clocks were being manufactured at their main factory in Dulwich. Most of the clocks have Mark V movements, some have Mark IV movements and a few clocks have movements without a Mark number, presumably this the Mark I movement. A clock with a Mark II movement is known. Mark V movements were made with at least three different spindle lengths to suit different cases, and Mark IV movements with at least two. Differences between the Mark IV and Mark V movements are minor. They appear to be confined to differences in arbor diameters, different methods of fixing the motor to the back plate, and different methods of fixing the hand set knob.
Two Temco movements are described briefly in ROBINSON T R. Modern Clocks. Their repair and maintenance. Second edition. London: N A G Press Ltd, 1942. One of them could be either the Mark IV or the Mark V movement, fitted to some of the clocks described in the links. A Temco movement is decribed briefly in WISE S J. Electric clocks. Second edition. London: Heywood & Company Ltd, 1951. This appears to be the Mark V movement.
Mark I and Mark II movements were produced between 1931 and about 1933. The Mark IV movement was produced from about 1933 to 1938, and the Mark V movement from 1938 to the late 1940s. A clock with a presentation plaque dated 2 June 1928 is fitted with a Mark V movement, but this is an obvious anachronism. Clocks fitted with Mark IV and Mark V movements are very reliable, unless they have been damaged by unskilled ‘repairers’.
For more information on a clock click on the link. If no link see POOK L P. British domestic synchronous clocks 1930-1980. The rise and fall of a technology. Springer, 2015. Where noted see POOK L P. Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks. Watch & Clock Bulletin, 2014, 56/1(407), 47-58.
Temco synchronous alarm clock S 83 Temco C
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco chiming synchronous mantel clock
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous granddaughter clock
Temco synchronous miniature grandfather clock s-302-temco-a
Temco synchronous bedside clock (1)
Temco synchronous bedside clock (2)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (3)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (4)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (5)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (6)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (7)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (8)
Anonymous synchronous bedside clock with Temco movement (9)
S 117 Anonymous B
Temco synchronous mantel clock (10)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (11)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (12)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (13)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (14)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (15)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (16) S 147 Temco A
Temco synchronous mantel clock (17)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (18) S 93 Temco A
Temco synchronous bedside clock (19)
Temco synchronous bedside clock (20)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (21) S 151 Temco A
Temco synchronous mantel clock (22)
Described in ‘Temco Art Deco domestic synchronous clocks’.
Temco synchronous mantel clock (23)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (24)
Temco synchronous bedside clock (25) S 185 Temco B
Temco synchronous bedside clock (26)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (27)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (28)
Temco synchronous bedside clock (29)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (30)
Temco synchronous bedside clock (31)
Temco synchronous bedside clock (32) S 218 Temco B
Temco synchronous mantel clock (33)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (34)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (35) Image courtesy Chris Bunce
S 228 Temco A
Temco synchronous mantel clock (36)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (37)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (38)
Temco synchronous mantel clock (39) S 264 Temco A
Temco synchronous bedside clock (40) S 272 Temco A
Temco synchronous bedside clock (41) S 280 Temco A
Temco synchronous mantel clock (42) S 291 Temco A
Temco synchronous mantle clock (43) Mark V movement
Image courtesy David Rudge
Temco synchronous wall clock (1)
Temco synchronous wall clock (2) S 279 Temco B
The Les Pook Miscellany 
April 1, 2010 at 2:37 am |
I have just acquired aTemco Sychronous mantel clock (1) s-44 temco-b1, could you please tell what date these clocks were manufactured
April 2, 2010 at 9:58 am |
I don’t know for certain. Circumstantial evidence suggests that Temco clocks with Mark V movements were made in the late 1930s.
September 26, 2010 at 11:10 pm |
I have a Temco Mark V movement which has run continuously & flawlessly without any maintenance since purchase in 1946!
September 27, 2010 at 9:39 am |
I’m not surprised. In my experience Temco Mark IV and Mark V synchronous movements are very reliable, provided that they have not been damaged by unskilled ‘repairers’. I have a Temco clock with a Mark IV movement that has been in the family since the 1930s and is still in good working order. As far as I know it has never had any attention.
January 2, 2011 at 9:49 pm |
I have a large – approx. 25 inches back lit clock withe the word Temco on the bottom. I was told that this clock came from a railroad station. It is about 6 inches wide. Can you tell me more about this? When was it made and do you have an estimate of its worth. Unfortunately the glass clock face has a few cracks but they have been repaired and it works great. Thank you
January 8, 2011 at 3:12 pm |
A similar, but much smaller, clock was recently listed on eBay. This is fitted with a Mark V movement which gives a date range of about 1928 to 1946. The date range for the clock described is probably similar.
The value of the clock described depends on its condition, its provenance, what a buyer is wiilling to pay and, in an auction, how much competition there is. On the information given I would expect an eBay sale at around GBP 50, including postage. A dealer would probably ask a lot more. On a large clock, allegedly from a railway, I would expect to see either a company name or a station name. Either would add considerably to its value.
January 24, 2012 at 10:42 am |
Good morning Les
I have inherited my grandparents’ Temco clock given to them on their Silver Wedding anniversary in 1941. It has a metal outside with a red front but I cannot find a Mark number anywhere. Where should I be looking?
Thanks
Jenny
January 25, 2012 at 8:50 am |
Jenny
Not all Temco clocks have Mark numbers. If there is one it’s moulded onto the back of the Bakelite movement cover, to the right of the two pin connector. From your brief description it could be a clock made by another manufacturer, but marketed as a Temco.
Regards
Les
January 27, 2012 at 12:39 pm |
I’ve got a clock, which once belonged to my dad. It was his mother’s. On the back it says type V. But I cant find a picture of it on your website. But I’m wondering how much I could get for it, because it wont be much use in my house. As well, could you give me some information about the clock.
January 27, 2012 at 2:55 pm |
I don’t try to value clocks. Prices achieved for Temco clocks on eBay vary widely. A present there are five listed on eBay at prices varying from a starting bid of £6.98, including postage, to a buy it now price of £90.04, including postage. I can’t add to the information on Temco clocks on my website at present, but hope to be able to do so in the future.
March 25, 2012 at 11:06 pm |
Hello Les.
I have a big interest in these Temco clocks since I was a boy.
I reside in NEW ZEALAND and these clocks were fairly common here from just prior to WW2.
My folks and an old Uncle & Aunt had one each from about 1944-1945 around the time Dad returned from WW2 service in Europe and North Africa in the RAF/RNZAF bomber squadrons.
I actually have around 6 on these clocks that I bought from England and wales recently as the original one my folks had was damaged beyond repair…I don’t know what happened to it after that episode as I was about 12 years old around the time?
Both my folks passed away recently and I must admit that clock had been featuring a lot in my memories of times long ago.
It was the same as the S122 Temco A in your list here.
I have 3 of them plus some others with the same face type but differing wood case styles. 4 of the clocks work perfectly and I am bidding on eBay UK for a 4th Temco clock.
Question ..Do you know where I can purchase the power cord plugs that are on the “clock” end of the cords please as a couple of my clocks including the one I’m bidding on the cords/plugs etc are missing.
Pretty sure all my clocks are Mark 5 models and one is a Mark 4?
Your website here is very informative and comprehensive, totally absorbing and keeps the interest in these type of clocks rather high for me.
Thanks for your wonderful work here it’s much appreciated and keep up the good work.
Many kind regards from New Zealand ..
Cheers John Stewart
March 26, 2012 at 7:12 pm |
John
I know from my traffic statistics that there’s quite a lot of interest in Temco synchronous clocks in New Zealand. The first Temco clock I saw was in a relative’s house in about 1960. Eventually my wife inherited it.
The two pin connectors used on Temco clocks, and by some other makers, are based on what used to be British Standard 2 pin 2 Amp plugs and sockets. There is no current British Standard for them and, as far as I know, new female connectors to fit the pins on a clock are not available. Modern single 4 mm sockets, available from electronics dealers (Maplin in the UK), are a snug fit on the pins. I have used these to make connectors, but the result isn’t very neat.
Over the past few weeks I’ve being doing research on Temco clocks, and the Telephone Manufacturing Company, with a view to writing an article on Temco clocks for publication.
Best regards
Les
April 16, 2012 at 8:16 am |
I have a TEMCO clock I inherited from my grandfather. I know nothing about it and unfortunately the original electric fittings have been removed. It is similar to some of your pictures, but happy to email picture of it. Thanks for the info on your site which has helped me know more about it. My grandfatherwas an electrical engineer during the war, so there may be a connection.
October 26, 2012 at 1:14 pm |
I have a TEMCO clock type Mark 5 that I inherited form my mother that does not have an electric lead can you suggest anywhere I might be able to purcnase one from. Many thanks
October 26, 2012 at 2:17 pm |
The connectors were used by several manufacturers, but are to a now obsolete British Standard, so are not now available new. They turn up occasionally on eBay. The easiest work around is to use terminal strip with a 12 mm spacing. The strip needs to be trimmed so that the pins on the back of the clock are gripped by the terminal screws. Caution is needed in view fthe presence of mains voltage.
October 26, 2012 at 2:37 pm |
I do have the orginal connector but no cable can this be overcomeso the clock can be put back into use?
October 26, 2012 at 4:31 pm |
Yes, the original connector can be wired to a 13 amp plug using 2 core ligting cable. This is a straightforward job for anyone who knows how to wire a plug. Sorry I misunderstood your original comment.
March 11, 2013 at 9:50 am |
Les, I have an interesting and rather nice Blue glass clock with a Temco movement and I read with some excitement that you only knew of one clock with a Mark II because that is what mine is! I have searched in vain to find another clock like it on the internet. It is a lovely piece of really thick industrial blue glass formed into a U shape. The face of the clock is etched into the glass. I would like to send you an image and be interested to hear what you make of it.
I have a couple of less exciting Temco clocks as well, each slightly different to the images I have found elsewhere. Have you any idea how many different models they produced because there seem to be loads.
March 15, 2013 at 9:26 pm |
Hi my parents have a temco mark v movement in a long case approx 137 cm high, could you please tell me any information you can about this clock as they are interested, we can’t find one like it. The movement is currently not working and in need of repair, could you maybe advise us where to go in Hampshire.
Many thanks
March 16, 2013 at 5:55 pm |
The clock is a couple of inches taller so it is not the granddaughter clock described on this page. Since it has a Mark V movement it cannot be earlier than 1938. I regret that I do not know of any professional repairers of synchronous clocks in general and Temco clocks in particular. The difficulty is that current electrical regulations make it uneconomic.
June 16, 2013 at 11:59 am |
hi we have bought a temco electric clock , its brass with frosted green glass face with brass numerals and hands can anyone give us more details on the date and when this type of clock was made and a rough value please, its very heavy
September 10, 2013 at 10:40 am |
Hi. I have a Temco S196 Synchronous Mantel Clock (no. 28 in your images). I remember it on my grandmother’s mantlepiece and then on my father’s. I love it but although it can go happily for several weeks without a problem it has now developed an incredibly loud whirring noise and after a few painful hours of this, it stops! I can get it going again by turning the wheel at the back but it often doesn’t go for long. My question is, where can I get it repaired – not sure I trust it to a local watchmaker! Can you advise please?
September 10, 2013 at 2:57 pm |
Where to get synchronous clocks repaired is a question that keeps coming up. The difficulty is that current electrical regulations mean that professional clockmakers are reluctant to do this, so unfortunately I cannot answer your question. This is a pity because the clock probably needs little more than cleaning and oiling, which is a straightforward job.
September 10, 2013 at 3:52 pm |
Thanks anyway – much as I thought, unfortunately!
December 20, 2013 at 11:52 pm |
I inherited three Temco clocks, including one whose movement was individually machined or “built by hand”, as far as I understand, as a prototype movement. There may well be other Temco clocks in the family.
The others have Mark IV and Mark V movements, but are not models in your photos, though I recognise some aspects of the style of some that were in the house i grew up in. I can send photos if you like.
Although it’s interesting to have an individually built prototype, the face is rather dull and the clocks wooden case is nailed together and the veneer is starting to separate. The movement cover is not the usual bakelite, but rather metal. The face displays that name TEMCO ELECTRIC.
I also have some Temco 3-pin, 13-amp plugs. Here’s a patent application that seems relevant
As far as I understand it, the Telephone Manufacturing Company (TMC) sold phones and associated equipment to very few organizational customers and when it needed to market other electrical products into the domestic market, from clocks to plugs and sockets, it lacked experience and credibility in this different market. So it was initially represented by another company that was already doing so.
That company was Harwell, in which TMC later bought a controlling stake. Harwell then became a subsidiary called TMC Harwell. Harwell had been started by my grandfather. (The ‘Har’ in the name came from our family name Harris and ‘well’ was from Mr Weller, a ‘sleeping partner’, in other words a fellow investor but not actively involved in the company).
As far as I know, TMC Harwell was still run by my grandfather, as Managing Director, after it became TMC Harwell and it was certainly later run by my father until Pye bought the parent company.
I believe TMC Harwell had a big say in the design and development of products aimed at the domestic market that the parent company manufactured, which is presumably how I finished up inheriting the prototype movement. I also remember my father talking about how he had lost a very good designer to Crabtree who then designed superior 13-amp plugs for Crabtree and I have some of them too.
My father, Stanley M Harris, didn’t talk much to his children, so I learned little about TMC Harwell from him, though I went to its offices from time to time. TMC Harwell (Sales) Ltd was in Upper Berkeley Street, off the Marble Arch end of Edgware Road, at least during the 1950s and till the parent TMC was bought by Pye. It had earlier been in Shaftesbury Avenue, but I don’t know when it moved. See for the Berkeley Street address and for the earlier Shaftesbury Ave address.
See too the piece about the 1949 sales van operated by TMC Harwell.
My father died in 1979, but in 1991, I wrote to his younger brother, Harold, to ask about my father’s life before I was born. His reply included some information about TMC Harwell. I note that you said in an answer in March last year that you had been researching with a view to writing an article on Temco clocks for publication. If would be of use to you, I can see if I can find Harold’s letter. I also have two older sisters and they may know things about the company that I don’t.
January 20, 2014 at 10:45 pm |
Hi there, I have acquired a Temco synchronous mantel clock (28) S 196 Temco with a with a green and black surround. Would you be able to give me an idea of the value please? I know this will be difficult as you cannot see it but any help or info would be much appreciated.
January 23, 2014 at 5:06 pm |
It’s difficult to say. Prices achieved on eBay vary widely for similar clocks so I would rather not give an opinion. A lot depends on condition. Temco clocks are worth more if they have the original female connector.
May 11, 2014 at 8:53 pm |
Hi Les,I have found your web site very useful having coming across a Temco S106 in a local charity shop over the weekend for the barging price of £4.50.The said clock has now received some TLC, the case treated with a mixture of meths,turps & linseed oil which will be followed by the application of some good quality furniture polish. The clock face has been cleaned with a slightly damp cloth, the glass washed ( both sides) & the chrome bezel treated to some chrome polish. The only none standard items to the Mark V mechanism are a soldered on knob to adjustment the hands & the female plug is missing but a section from a electrical block has been used, I hope to amend the hand knob which will enable access to the mechanism for oiling etc.Incidentally there are 4 clocks a ebay an S100 in a very sorry state,an S146 & an S177 there is also an advertising sign,prices range from £28.96 to £99.00.Had it not been for your web site I would not have purchased the clock as I have a number of Smiths both electrical & mechanical.For that I thank you.Regards, Julian
July 25, 2014 at 12:42 pm |
I have just acquired Temco model CA electric alarm clock in perfect working order, I wonder if you could tell me anything about it
April 22, 2015 at 11:06 am |
Dear Les,
I have just purchased a blue glass clock identical to the one pictured above (35).
But mine’s fitted with a Temco MkIV movement, and has the (serial?) number 11032 engraved on the movement cover. This is paradoxical in a way, as it’s a lower number than the one you picture which is fitted with a MkII movement. Maybe the serial numbers went back down to zero when a new style of movement was introduced.
I’m informed by the vendor that my clock was a wedding present for a couple who married just before the second war, which seems valid in view of the MkIV movement fitted. Sadly, she also told me that the groom was killed during the war during a bombing raid on Southampton.
Regards,
Nick.
April 22, 2015 at 3:50 pm |
Nick
All the Temco movement serial numbers I have come across have 5 digits, which suggests that Temco used serial number blocks. Since the Mark II and Mark IV movements are very different it is possible that the same block was used for both types of movement, hence the apparent paradox.
This the first example I have come across where a Temco case is known to have been fitted with two different types of movement.
Les
April 26, 2015 at 8:12 pm |
Thanks, Les.
Just found an image of what I believe to be the former Temco works in Dulwich. Nice to see it’s still standing, and retains its original windows and railings to the roof: http://www.workspace.co.uk/images/properties/touchdowns/large/KKKXEXLJGT.jpg
Nick.
December 13, 2015 at 3:01 am |
I have a Temco Mark 5 movement wall clock, with a knob underneath the clock face for adjustments. Looks style wise to be late 1930s, walnut or mahogany veneer. Main body is square with rounded shoulders attached to each side, slightly inset to create that classic deco layered look. Exposed hands which are thin and painted white. White painted brass numbers which are not well aligned.
Haven’t been able to find any images of the clock. I was wondering whether it was a custom job or if it’s recognisable to anyone?
January 23, 2016 at 1:54 pm |
I have got a clock earlier then the mark 1
the name on the face is TMC made in USA
the rear label has THE TELEPHONE MFG CO 1929 LTD LONDON
The clock is a Hammond with a sealed motor unit
production ran from 1929 to 1931
April 2, 2016 at 10:13 am |
Hello Les, I have a Temco mantle clock mark v incorporating a main body of Connemara marble and Perspex scrolls that was my parents pride and joy. The mechanism stopped when I had to change to British Summer Time and although I can feel the motor moving, the serrated starter knob does not initiate the mechanism. I have removed the two screws holding the mechanism to the Bakelite but the mechanism refuses to free itself. Do you have any idea how I may free it up. Thanking you for a very interesting service .
May 9, 2016 at 12:45 pm |
I have a temco wall clock that looks like a ship steering wheel made by Telephone MFG company. do you perhaps have any photo of such
May 10, 2016 at 7:48 am |
No, I have never seen one like this. What movement is fitted?
October 19, 2016 at 11:16 pm |
I have just rediscovered a Temco clock I have had for perhaps 40 years. I think it was in a house that I bought in 1976. It is identical to your No. 42 specimen, and in similar condition. My question is – would cleaning it up affect the value or desirability of the clock? Many thanks – Rodney S Sweetnam
October 20, 2016 at 7:52 am |
Difficult to say since it is a matter of opinion. I prefer to lightly clean clocks or leave them as they are. I have seen clocks spoiled by aggressive cleaning.
January 23, 2017 at 11:27 pm |
I have just acquired a TEMCO 17 Jewels Convertible X1 Watch Set in the original box. Any idea if this was made by the same clock maker? I can’t find any information on it. Any information would be helpful. Thank you, Jen
January 24, 2017 at 2:39 pm |
Jen
I don’t think your watch was made by the Telephone Manufacturing Company. None of their publicity material for synchronous clocks mentions watches. Googling hasn’t turned up anything useful.
Les
February 5, 2017 at 1:00 pm |
Hi Hope you can help we have just move house and lost the cable to our Mk V clock where can we buy a cable from?
February 6, 2017 at 8:49 am |
Pete
This is a frequently asked question. The female connectors are obsolete and not available. The best work around I know is 4 mm banana sockets available from Maplin.
October 29, 2017 at 3:56 pm |
Hi I have acquired a tempo electron mantle clock exactly like no 37 could you tell me the date of this clock and what value it would be cheers Paul.
October 29, 2017 at 6:29 pm |
Paul
It probably has a Mark IV movement which would date the clock in the mid 1930s. I don’t value clocks but it would ne worth more if it has the original connector.
Les
April 6, 2018 at 8:12 am |
hi i have a temco mantle clock it was my grans it is in good working order its shaped like the old three penny bit in pink it must over 50 years old but cant find any pics of it can you help thank you
April 6, 2018 at 3:46 pm |
Andrew, I can’t help with a picture, but the type of movement fitted gives an indication of the age. Les
April 11, 2018 at 7:35 pm |
Hi I have Temco 36 in your pics how do you get in the metal case to remove the baker lite of the mechanism.it worked when I bought it but has since stopped the motor appears seized
April 12, 2018 at 9:51 am |
The movement is held in the case by two screws visible at the back of the case. Remove these screws and slide the movement out forwards.
May 14, 2018 at 6:59 pm |
Can anyone help with a replace power lead for a lovely temco clock I have just brought would love to see if we can get it foing
May 15, 2018 at 2:36 pm |
This keeps coming up. The 2 A connector that fits on the back of the clock is obsolete to replacements are not available. Originals occasionally turn up on eBay. There is no completely satisfactory alternative. I sometimes use 4 mm banana sockets but care has to be taken to ensure that they are safe for use on mains voltage.
September 3, 2019 at 10:56 am |
Hi Les
I’ve just been in my loft and found my old Nan’s TEMCO mantel clock pictured number 14 above Mk 1V, l know it was manufactured between 1933-1938 I remember my Nan saying when she moved from Deptford to Sidcup in 1933 that she purchased this clock.
The clock is in great condition with the original two pin plug, I open the back up just to clean the dust out which had collected over the years and it was very dusty.
I have just read some the history of TEMCO, and this clock is very reliable and it now sits on my mantel reminding me of my grandmother.
One question Les on the back it has a number inscribed 2692 is this just the clock number of how many manufactured? Thanks.
September 4, 2019 at 10:12 am |
Andrew, It’s nice to have a clock in working order with a known provenance. I particularly like the austere Art Deco case. The number inscribed on the back is the serial number of the movement. Serial numbers usually have 5 digits so yours is an early example, which is consistent with the dates you give.. Les
March 23, 2020 at 9:56 pm |
Hi Les, thanks for the interesting information on the history of Temco clocks. I have a Temco synchronous mantel clock, number (28) on your site, which I have restored. I am an engineer but not familiar with clocks. I have put the clock back together and it keeps perfect time, however the clock is quite noisy, not grinding more of a mechanical clicking. There is quite a bit of play on the shaft of the synchronous motor, it probably has a couple of mm of play in and out. I did not lubricate the clock at all. leaving it dry. I do have Proops Lubricating Grease for Watches and also clock oil. I understand that it is not possible to easily disassemble the motor / shaft. Can you suggest anything to quieten down the clock. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, G
March 24, 2020 at 2:58 pm |
Graham. The Temco Mark V movement is usually very reliable. If the clicking is regular then the probable cause is a damaged tooth. Provided that there is no skipping a damaged tooth can sometimes be ignored because forces are very small. Alternatively, something might be catching somewhere and, once located, can usually be corrected. A problem with assembling the Marl V movement is that there is no provision for correct depthing between the pinion on the end of the motor shaft and the next wheel. The depth should be adjusted, using clearance in fixing holes, so that there is just enough depth for the wheels to turn freely. Oiling the pivots and worms should make the clock quieter, I use a synthetic clock oil. The motor shaft cannot easily be disassembled because the shaft is brittle, and the pinion and starter knobs are force fits. I have seen shafts that have been broken, apparently as the result of disassembly attempts. To lubricate the shaft I dribble oil in at both ends. This makes the shaft turn more freely, and sometimes dirt washes out. I then mop up surplus oil with a clean soft rag. This might be appear to be bad practice but it works. There is no simple cure for a damaged tooth. What is sometimes possible is to replace the damaged wheel with one from a faulty movement. I have occasionally done this. Good luck. Les
March 23, 2020 at 9:58 pm |
Sorry just read my post, I should have added that It is a Mark V clock.
March 24, 2020 at 8:06 pm |
Hi Les, Thank you so much for your reply. I will disassemble adjust and lubricate as suggested. Graham
June 27, 2020 at 10:50 am |
Hi Les
Great wealth of information here.
I have inherited a Mantel clock ( 10 ) but the mains lead and 2 pin plug for the rear of the clock is missing. I have bodged the mains onto the pins with a couple of terminal blocks to test the clock and it runs a treat.
Is it possible to buy one of these leads somewhere and what specifications should I look for.
Many thanks
Mike
June 27, 2020 at 1:31 pm |
Mike. This comes up from time to time. There’s no easy solution. The female connectors were made to an obsolete British Standard, so new replacements are not available. Connectors made by different manufacturers are not always interchangeable because of the need to provide clearances from clock parts. Connectors do come up on eBay from time to time, but tend to be expensive. The best makeshift arrangement I know of is to use insulated 4 mm banana sockets. Les
October 23, 2020 at 1:18 pm |
I have a clock which is the same shape as number 33 in your photographs, but rather than TEMCO it is marked TMC, and the numerals are not Roman but arabic. It does not work at present and I was wondering how the knurled round time adjuster ‘knob’ is removed to access the inner workings of the clock. I was also wondering if there is some kind of knack to the ‘push in, turn left and release’ instructed on the back plate to get it going. In addition, I was also wondering what kind of age it might be, as I am struggling to find references to other clocks which are marked TMC rather than TEMCO. Thanks in advance for any help here.
October 24, 2020 at 3:38 pm |
The handset/starter knob is probably a push fit, but could have seized up with the passage of time. The knob should be released abruptly so that the motor a firm kick. The most probable date for the clock is 1931. I am sending you my article on Temco clocks privately.
Les
November 2, 2020 at 6:48 am |
I have a Tempo clock the same as No 25 but the power cord has gone missing. Do you know the specs for the power cord please?
November 2, 2020 at 9:20 am |
Heather
This keeps coming up. The 2 pin 2 A female connector used is obsolete so is not available new. They occasionally appear on eBay. Work arounds are possible, but have to used with care. One of these it use 4 mm banana sockets.
April 5, 2021 at 4:34 pm |
Can you tell me type and size of Temco clock no7 glass on this page.
April 6, 2021 at 8:36 am |
The clock is 19 cm high and 17 cm wide. It is fitted with a Temco Mark V movement. I don’t know the model number. There is a photograph of the rear of the clock in my book ‘British Domestic Synchronous Clocks’.
April 6, 2021 at 1:11 pm |
Thanks for reply. I have this tempo clock but no glass do you know size of glass required
April 7, 2021 at 1:08 pm
I have had a look at my clock, and now understand the problem. The bezel is very narrow so the glass has to be a precise fit. I could take the bezel off my clock and measure the size of the glass, but this wouldn’t help because suppliers’ tolerances aren’t tight enough to ensure a precise fit. The solution is to remove the bezel and have a glass cut to fit the bezel. Some horological suppliers provide this service. I used H S Walsh about ten years ago and their prices were reasonable. I hope this helps
April 12, 2021 at 7:58 am
Thank you for all your advice Regards Rb 🏴
May 3, 2021 at 7:19 am |
Hi I Have an Octagonal Temco clock with brass hands and a gold glass mirrored surround. The face is brass with black roman numerals and the hour hand is a circle. The stands is chrome. It looks very 70’s but I figure from your article it has to be pre 1959 ?
Your help in dating my clock would be much appreciated as I can’t find another like it.
May 4, 2021 at 8:38 am |
Temco made clocks with a very wide range of case styles. These are difficult to date. The type of movement fitted gives a guide Date ranges fir Temco movements are given in my book British domestic synchronous clocks 1930-1980, Springer, 2015.
December 21, 2021 at 4:40 pm |
Greetings ,
I have a TEMCO FREE STANDING CLOCK THAT IS HEAVY , CIRCULAR & HAS A CHROME METAL FRAME AROUND IT .
I DON’T HAVE A LEE TO PLUG IT IN & WONDER IF I CAN BUY ONE ?
Any information about it will be very much appreciated .
I think it was presented to one of my ancestors
Back in the door when he retired from working somewhere .it is a family piece from way back .
Appreciate your time & wish you a brilliant forever
December 23, 2021 at 10:40 am |
The connectors were used by several manufacturers, but are to a now obsolete British Standard, so are not now available new. They turn up occasionally on eBay. The easiest work around is to use terminal strip with a 12 mm spacing. The strip needs to be trimmed so that the pins on the back of the clock are gripped by the terminal screws. Caution is needed in view of the presence of mains voltage.