Hi folks.
We're still working on my dad's 47 dash. I bought new red needles for the clock and speedometer. I thought I'd ask if any of you have taken the needles out before. I looked it over, but before I ruin something I figured I better ask someone with experience. I see the speedo needle has a chrome plate about the size of a dime with tabs that bend over the bottom. The minute hand for the clock doesn't look like it has those tabs.
Thanks all.
- Weels

The speedometer needle is just a friction fit on the shaft. It will pull right off and don't bend around on the center trim.

OK. I got the speedo needle off and the new one back on. Thanks!
The clock needles look like a little different setup. I pulled on the minute hand with the same force as I did with the speedo, but it didn't budge. Underneath where it's attached to the shaft there is a brass ?bushing?? nut? I don't know what. I don't want to mess it up because the clock is a good one. It looks like I could almost leave the chrome piece on and slide the new needle into/onto it, except I want to change the hour hand also.
Any one tackle this one yet?
Thanks!
- Weels

The minute hand on the clock is pressed on. And yes, it usually takes a lot of force to remove it and usually requires that it be pryed off. I use a special tool to do it and it is basically a miniature crow bar. The pry bar needs to pry against the bushing that you mention. The bushing is part of the minute hand assembly.
The hour hand is also pressed on. It's pressed onto a metal bushing. I use a miniature gear puller to remove it from the bushing.

Take the clock to a clock repair shop --- they have the special tools to remove the the hands. I didn't and ruined a working clock when I pulled on the minute hand and the brass circle thing pulled out from behind the face plate . I now have 3 clocks -- 2 working and 1 not because I ruined it. There is a place that sells our clocks (for much less $$$ than what I have have in these clocks).

Thanks guys.
I called the Filling Station and asked them. They told me the minute hand was reverse thread. I tried that, but it didn't work. I don't have thin enough needle nose to fit in that small of a gap to hold the shaft. My dad's been talking to a jeweler friend of ours that works on clocks. I'll pass this info on to him.
I really appreciate everyone's help here. My dad is a member of VCCA but I'm not yet.
Thanks!
- Weels

weels--I restore antique car clocks and am a retired Clocksmith. If your local man doesn't know how to go about replacing the hands let me know. Oh, by the way, you'll discover that the reproduction minute hand won't fit right. You'll have to probably do some filing on it.

I replaced my clock hand with a cut down popsicle stick and glued it in place..painted it bright red,looks ok though..just think after 60 yrs it still runs,on quiet days you can hear it ticking away....I do need to do the speedo hand,cuz it's been broken off ever since iv'e had the car.speedo works just no hand...I can pretty much tell how fast I'm going as long as the the fence posts don't look like picked fence,and the lines on the road just look like dots...then I'm safe.LOL...

Well, that don't sound like too much fun...lol Hope the "old man" ain't still with us...Hate to hear he took up a drink'in again just 'cause 'o you...ha ha , just kidding...I very much hope he's still with "us" and enjoying life...

Thanks for all the info guys...It's sounds very useful and experienced...Kevin

oldgreygal--that round circle thing is a motion gear. It is pressed onto the hour tube. just press it back on.