Joshua,

If the locks still exist and are operable, including the corresponding catch
location on the case, then having keys made is the best option.  If not, you
can make soft wooden wedges (pine or yellow poplar) that will keep the doors
closed by friction.  However, they are a bit of a pain as they have to be
found when the door is opened (as invariably they fall), and have to be
re-inserted each time the door is closed.  Generally, the bottom of the door
is the best location for the wedges.  I advise not attaching the wedges to
the clock.

Marc

American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
     4 Rockville Road
     Broad Brook, CT 06016
     www.conservator.com <http://www.conservator.com/>
     860-386-6058

*Collections Preservation Consultation
*Conservation Assessments & Surveys
*Environmental Monitoring & Low-Tech Control
*Moisture Management Solutions
*Collections in Historic Structures
*Collections Care Grant Preparation
*Conservation Treatment of:
     Furniture
     Painted Wood
     Horse-Drawn Vehicles
     Architectural Interiors

Marc A. Williams, President
     MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
     Former Chief Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
     Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Joshua K. Blay HSBC
> Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:38 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Pesky Tall-Case Clock Problem
>
>
> The doors on some of our tall-case clocks like to open up over time; the
> keys have long been displaced.
>
> Might someone here have a suggestion to encourage them to stay shut but
> still be able to be opened on a weekly basis?
>
> --
>
> Joshua K. Blay
> Associate Director/Museum Curator
> The Historical Society of Berks County Museum & Library
>
> 940 Centre Avenue
>
> Reading, PA
> (610) 375-4375
>
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