Choosing The Correct Clock Movement Shaft Size When Making a Clock
Clock movements are available in a wide range of sizes. There are a few important measurements you will need to have when ordering a clock movement, to ensure you get the right one to fit your application.
Thread Length
You’ll want to make sure that the clock movements thread length is long enough to fit through the thickness of the material you are mounting the movement to (clock dial material could be a simple clock face or decorative items like a wood plaque).
The threaded portion of the shaft (post) should come out of the mounting surface with about an 1/8” of length left for the mounting hardware. (Note: Some push on style clock movements will not have a threaded shaft.)
Total Shaft Length
When using a glass front on your clock keep in mind the total shaft length (total post length). You’ll want to make sure there is enough room underneath the glass to fit the total shaft length including its minute hand cap nut or if you’re adding a second hand.
Shaft Diameter
The post mounting hole of your clock dial (or mounting material) needs to have a large enough diameter to fit the shaft of the clock movement through it.
Measuring the Shaft When Replacing a Broken Quartz Clock Movement
The easiest and most accurate way to measure the shaft length on a clock movement is to use the depth gauge on a digital caliper. A ruler can also be used to measure the shaft length, if you do use a ruler to measure the shaft size make sure the ruler starts at 0, many rulers have their zero point a bit away from the end of the ruler.
Once you have found your measuring device measure from the top of the post/shaft down to the movement housing. This will give you the movements total shaft length, which will be needed when ordering a replacement clock movement.
If you are reusing your existing clock hands, you should confirm that the new movements shaft for both the hour and minute hand are the same size and shape as your existing hands mounting diameter.
For an overview of quartz clock movement parts and assembly see our article Quartz Clock Parts and Assembly Diagram.
Learn How to Determine what Clock Hand Size to Use
hi..good day! this is will be my first to make a clock.. i have wooden round board with 20cm for its diameter, with a 5mm center hole. i want to know which is the ideal mechanical parts size i can use. thanks
I have a Dual Chime Quartz Clock Movement with Removable Speaker and Pendulum in my clock which keeps good time but the pendulum only swings for about 10 minutes gradually losing amplitude. Do I need a complete new assembly or can I replace just part of it? What causes this problem? The magnet is good, the pendulum is free to swing and I have just replaced the C size battery?
We bought a grandfather clock.it ran on c battery.that controled hands and played westminster chimes.do you have a replacement due to it not working.thank you.
We don’t have any clock movements that chime and run on a “C” cell battery. We do sell these westminster chime movement with pendulum here:
https://www.esslinger.com/clock-movement-westminster-chime-movement-with-pendulum/
My clock dial is 1/2in thick what clock kit should I use. Using a wooden pallet to my a clock, thanks.
This clock movement should work for you:
https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
Choose the threaded shaft length that is long enough to get through your dial material and will fit the nut to secure the movement. Movement # 74.482.5 should work for your purpose.
Is there markings and or info on the mechanisms that can be used to look up the dimensions of it?
Hi, I need to replace the quartz clock on my large clock (34cm minute hand, 19cm hour hand). The hands are very light tin but do I need a certain rating to run this clock? The previous mechanism (12888) seemed to drain the battery very quickly. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Andy.
To work hands that are that long you will need a high torque movement and with the battery issues you were having I would suggest this movement:
https://www.esslinger.com/clock-movement-c-long-life-quartz-movement-high-torque/
The “C” battery will last longer than just a “AA” battery run movement will. You will need to measure the thickness of your dial (face) material to know how long of a shaft you need. We also supply the extra long hands for these movement in case the ones you already have won’t work with a new movement. You can see the selection here: https://www.esslinger.com/large-oversized-clock-hands-choose-style/
I have an old clock movement but I can not find one that looks the same . is it possible that I can send it to you so I get the right one this would prevent me having to return it.It seems to be 3/4 inch shaft but the diameter is what I am worried about. Please advise me what to do . Thank you, Roy Jackson Please e mail me because I work odd hours
Please use the contact us form or email directly to brandons@esslinger.com for your question about the clock movement.
https://www.esslinger.com/contact-us
What size clock mechanism would I use to make a clock from a vinyl record?
I have a fairly standard looking small clock mechanism and I want to know the thread size and type so I can tap the a dial and screw the mechanism in flush and not have the spindle and nut sitting in front.
The threaded brass section of spindle is approximately 5mm long and is 7.6mm diameter. It looks like 6 or 7 threads in 4.5 or 4.6 mm so calculating it looks like it would be roughly 0.64 to 0.77 pitch or 30 to 40 threads per inch.
Are you able to give me any idea what the thread type, size and pitch would likely be so I can buy a tap to cut the correct thread in the dial?
Kind regards
Andrew
Sales department,
With regard to the Dual Chime Quartz Clock Movement, SKU 74.529, w/ removable speaker & pendulum & hands SKU 74.1335.
My mounting specifications are as follows:
3/16″ thick board including dial face
3/8″ diameter shaft hole
3″ serpentine hands
Please confirm whether I have or have not settled on the right movement and hands to fit my clock.
Thank you.
Based on your measurements, this clock movement will work as well as the hands you selected.
I have a 2 inch thick board. I don’t want to cut into the wood, is there anyway to extend the shaft with extra hardware and what would I look for?
Unfortunately, I don’t believe there is a way to extend the shaft. The longest shaft we supply is 1-1/8″
I am a salesman in clock movement factory, any more detail, we can send vedio to you for slove the problem
Hello what size movement would i buy for a CD ? Thank you
Lo
If the movement is being mounted onto one CD then you can choose the shortest shaft length of the movement type you would like. A common one bought is this one:
https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
Just choose the 5/16″ length option from the drop down menu.
hello 🙂 I am currently making a wooden clock that is 12 inches in diameter and the piece of wood I am using is 3/4 of an inch thick. Which clock mechanism would you recommend? thank you for your help
This High Torque movement will work for the dial you are planning to use. For a 3/4″ thick dial, I would recommend using the 11/16″ threaded shaft length or longer depending on if you are going to have a glass cover and what the clearance on that would be.
https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
Wish me luck! I have to replace my clock mechanism (don’t ask why), and have found your information to be valuable, thanks.
I’m in Australia, by the way.
Is it possible to get a clock movement shallow enough to fit into a box photo frame as the one I have sticks out the back of the frame and won’t sit against a wall
I found the chart where i found mvt7230a andmvt2160a cant find it now
If it is for a clock movement, we have never had a chart for clock movements. You will have to measure the length of the shaft to determine the proper length for your clock. If you need help deciding which type of clock movement you need, this article can help you: https://blog.esslinger.com/compare-clock-movements/?_ga=2.164268728.640148148.1569847947-1798044534.1526326902
I’m looking into making some clocks out of scrap marble, granite and sandstone. Typically these pieces are 3/4″ or 3cm thick. Is this too thick for any clock shaft mechanism? Could you recommend an option if so? Perhaps a small box on the front of the stone to hide the clock movement?
The longest shaft length we have is 1-1/4″ overall length and the threaded portion is 15/16″, so it should fit through your clock face of 3/4″ thick.
https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
The references I have from the one I am trying to replace are R6T3 or E03.
Does that indicate what shaft length I need to order
We do not have a reference sheet for clock movements or a way to cross reference the numbers on clock movements. The only way to determine the shaft length you need is to measure the shaft length of the old movement.
There are 4 shaft lengths and 4 diameters for a typical quartz movement. Why not put on your professional hat and use those fancy digital calipers to measure all 8 dimensions on one of your products and show them?
I have seen dozens and dozens of listings and videos and not one of these pretenders will measure the hour and minute shafts and report what the lengths and diameters are. If the ‘I’ shaft is a standard, where is it published?
If you shop on our main site and find the clock movements here (just one example): https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
You will see that we do have the measurements listed for each shaft length and displayed on the picture when you select the size you want from the drop down menu. It is also listed below in the item description in a chart format for most of our clock movements.
Hi,
I am looking for a quartz movement replacement that has a 5mm shaft length. Any ideas where I can find it?
Thanks,
Indranil
The shortest clock movement shaft we have (on a standard quartz clock movement) is 12mm for the total length. The threaded portion is 5mm; you can find it here: https://www.esslinger.com/seiko-precision-mini-quartz-aa-clock-movement/
Do you sell a quartz movement with a diameter shaft hole of 5/16″? This is the size of the hole on the dial of a GE Telechron electric clock I want to replace with a battery-powered quartz movement. I have been told that no such product exists and I have to enlarge the hole in the metal dial to 3/8″. Is that true?
You can try this clock movement: https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
The shaft diameter is 5/16″ and the length comes in 4 different options. You might need to enlarge the hole just a fraction if the hole is exactly 5/16″.
I have a 3/4″ thick clock face made of wood. How long does the shaft of the clock movement assembly need to be please?
You will need the threaded portion of the shaft to be slightly longer than the thickness of the clock face. You will probably need close to a 1″ total length shaft to get through the 3/4″ clock face and have enough room for the nut to hold the movement. Depending on what kind of clock movement you are looking for, this one is one of the most common clock movements with the shaft length you would need: https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
Yes, I have a Seiko World Clock that needs a new clock movement. The numbers shown in the movement are 22005G, 7071U. The shaft was a push on fitting and I can’t find anything online that represents the specs of the original movement. The total shaft length appears to be 1/2″ long with diameter approximately 5/16″. Need help finding right movement.
We are not able to cross reference clock movements by caliber numbers and such. You will have to take the movement out of your clock and measure the shaft length. You want a shaft with the threaded portion slightly longer than the thickness of the clock face/dial. This clock movement is a popular one with four different shaft length options: https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
Once you know the correct size movement you can use this article to help determine what kind of movement you would like: https://blog.esslinger.com/compare-clock-movements/
I am looking for clock mechanism and arms (white if possible) for a wood clock: 1/2” thick wood.18” in diameter. What would you suggest?
Hello. You probably have answer this question a thousand time or more. So I am thanking you in advance of answering it one thousand and one times! LOL. I am experimenting with making wall clocks. The clock range from 10 inches to 12 inches in diameter. The measurement for 10 inch from center to edge is 4 inches and it is 6 inches for the 12 inch wall clock. the thickness is 1/2 inch to 1 inch (Can make thicker if needed). Dumb it down for me and please tell me what size mechanism do I need? I have brought a lot of kits and nothing seem to fit properly. I thought I got all this information straight and still it does not fit properly. Help! Thanks Again and have a great day and be safe
So you need clock movement with hand sizes between 4″ and 6″ in length and differing shaft lengths for you different dial thicknesses. This movement here should work for what you need: https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
Depending on the thickness of the dial, select the shaft length that is a little longer than the thickness of the dial and you should get everything to work. You might want to consider using these clock hands for the length you need: https://www.esslinger.com/large-oversized-clock-hands/
The movement listed above is a high torque movement and will be able to lift the longer, larger hands around the dial unlike some other clock movements out there.
Hello what clock moment and hands will i need for an LP and Single
Unfortunately, we don’t have a way to cross reference clock movements so you will have to physically measure the shaft of your clock movement and the thickness of the clock face to determine what movement you need.
This guide will show you how to determine what size clock hands to order for your clock. https://blog.esslinger.com/how-to-determine-what-clock-hand-size-to-use/
Hello. I’m replacing the mechanism on two clocks, & you have the movement size I need (7/16″ shaft). I want to re-use the hands (they are in character with the clocks). The minute hands each have a round hole as opposed to an oval hole with flat sides. Do the quartz mechanisms you sell work with a minute hand with a round hole? Thanks.
We are making a pallet clock 36 inches long. We need to get a shaft long enough to go through the 5/8 inch wood and get 12 inch long hands. How long should the shaft be? Do you have the supplies I would need? Would you suggest hands be a little longer?
.
You will need at minimum a 11/16″ threaded shaft length, but you may need a longer one. We have a clock movement with an overall shaft length of 1-1/4″ and the threaded part is 15/16″. It’s a high torque movement that will be able to move the extra long hands that you need. You can find the movement here: https://www.esslinger.com/mini-quartz-high-torque-clock-movement-aa-with-hardware/
Unfortunately, we no longer supply the hand length that you need. You can use hands up to 18″ for a clock that is 36″ in diameter.
By the way, you link you provided in the comment above mine seems to go to a movement with shaft length choices of 7/16″ or 15/16″, not 1.25″. Am I measuring wrong?
We have discontinued some of our clock movements, therefore we no longer have the 1-1/4″ in stock.
I’m going to make a clock using a 1960’s era Pontiac hub cap. Since the center portion of the hub cap is spherical, not sure how the movement will mount up and which movement to order? The hour hand will be black and 6” long and just straight taper. Would appreciate help in figuring this out. Thank you.
Hello, i bought a clock, same like one in bus station electric clock, is there a way to adapt/convert it to hause usage. Thank you.