When the grandfather clock is not working after a move, there are a few problems to look for that can be easily fixed. 1) Examine the dial on the grandfather clock and check to make sure the hands are not touching or hanging on any parts of the dial or second hand. 2) Check the leveling of the grandfather clock.
Full Answer
What would cause a grandfather clock to stop working?
What Causes a Pendulum Clock To Stop?
- Pendulum Strike. Grandfather clocks should sit level. Pendulums must swing freely. ...
- Hands Stuck. Free the hands to restart the clock. ...
- Tangled Chains. Cuckoo clock weights are tangle-prone. ...
- Oil and Debris. Dried oil and debris can clog and stop the clock mechanism. ...
- Movement. Sometimes the pendulum stops because the clock movement needs a good cleaning. ...
How do you clean a grandfather clock?
Everyone at City would like to congratulate Ederson on reaching 100 clean sheets in such a short timeframe! Ederson is also the subject of a new CITY+ documentary. The three-part film charts his early beginnings in Brazil, his European adventure with ...
How to disassemble a grandfather clock?
- Give the pendulum a gentle push with your hand to verify that it is swinging freely and not touching the weights or chime rods.
- Look at the dial and check that the hands aren’t touching or hanging on the second hand or any components of the dial.
- Listen to the grandfather clock’s ticking to verify that you are hearing an even “tick-tock” sound. ...
How to set your grandfather clock back one hour?
Spring Forward or Fall Back?
- “Spring Forward – Fall Back”. This term is meant to trigger your memory to set your clocks forward 1 hour in the spring at the start of DST, and 1 ...
- “Spring Ahead” and “Spring Up”. ...
- “March Forward”. ...
- “Gain 1 Hour, Lose 1 Hour”. ...
- Other DST Terms. ...
- Historic Use. ...
Why is my grandmother clock not working?
1) Examine the dial on the grandfather clock and check to make sure the hands are not touching or hanging on any parts of the dial or second hand. 2) Check the leveling of the grandfather clock. There are 4 adjustable levelers on the bottom corner of most grandfather clocks.
How do I get my grandmother clock to work?
1:273:20How to easily wind & set your vintage grandfather clock - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMoving it over and letting. It find its way back and forth. Now the movement of the pendulum. We'llMoreMoving it over and letting. It find its way back and forth. Now the movement of the pendulum. We'll start to get the clock ticking. It's on nice solid ground here.
Why does the pendulum on my grandmother clock keep stopping?
The reason a clock pendulum often stops swinging, after being moved, is because the clock case now leans at a slightly different angle then it did at its former location. Don't worry about making your clock absolutely level with the floor and don't use a level.
Why has my pendulum clock stopped working?
Movement. Sometimes the pendulum stops because the clock movement needs a good cleaning. In other cases, you may need to repair the clock or even replace a worn-out movement. Get an estimate for cleaning, repairs or a new mechanism before any work is done.
How do you fix a clock that keeps stopping?
5:317:41"My Clock Keeps Stopping"- How to set the beat. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the clock stops sooner. Than it did before that's also an indication we're pushing the wire inMoreIf the clock stops sooner. Than it did before that's also an indication we're pushing the wire in the wrong way. So in which case then you're going to want to bend the wire.
Why is only the middle weight dropping on Grandfather Clock?
If the weight in the middle is moving downward and the left and right weights are not, this simply means your chimes are turned off. There is usually a lever on the side of the dial for chime on / chime off. Set this to “chime on” and your left and right weights will start moving downward over the course of a week.
What causes a pendulum to eventually slow down and stop swinging?
The pendulum stops eventually because of air resistance. The pendulum loses energy because of friction. Only in a theoretical situation when there is no friction the pendulum will oscillate forever.
How do you fix a pendulum?
0:020:52Pendulum Adjustment - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurn it to the left. To speed your clock up. Turn it to the right. One turn equals approximately 1/2MoreTurn it to the left. To speed your clock up. Turn it to the right. One turn equals approximately 1/2. Minute check your clock after 24 hours to see if and further adjustment needs to be done.
What keeps the pendulum moving?
The science behind the pendulum is explained through the forces of gravity and inertia. The Earth's gravity attracts the pendulum. When the pendulum is hanging still, the wire and weight are straight and at a 90-degree angle to the Earth as gravity pulls the string and the weight to the Earth.
How do you wind a grandmother clock?
The most effective way to wind your clock would be to open the front door, insert the crank, hold the clock steady with your left hand, and turn the crank with your right hand. After winding the clock, set the correct time by moving the minute hand either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Why does my antique clock keep stopping?
A clock that is out of beat is likely to stop because the pendulum is not receiving the optimum impulses to keep it swinging. If it's badly out of beat it will stop within a few minutes. If it's only slightly out of beat it could run for days but will eventually stop earlier than it should.
What are the two winding holes on a clock?
If there are two holes, one is for the time spring and one is for the hourly chime. Some clocks also have a third hole, which governs the quarter-hour chime tones. Movement length should be specified by the manufacturer in the original packaging when you buy the clock.
Why did my grandfather clock stop working?
Often a pendulum clock will stop when it has been moved, bumped or even a too aggressive push to restart a pendulum. It is not broken, only out of beat. This only takes a few minutes to readjust and all pendulum clock owners should learn how as this will happen eventually.
Can you Overwind a clock?
It's actually impossible to overwind a clock, whilst you can wind a clock until it cases internal damages and breakages, it's impossible to continuously wind a clock.
How do you wind a grandmother clock?
The most effective way to wind your clock would be to open the front door, insert the crank, hold the clock steady with your left hand, and turn the crank with your right hand. After winding the clock, set the correct time by moving the minute hand either clockwise or counterclockwise.
What order do the weights in a grandfather clock go?
The bottom of each weight is labeled Left, Center or Right facing the Grandfather Clock. The total weight of each weight is slightly different and each WEIGHT MUST BE INSTALLED IN ITS CORRECT LOCATION FOR THE Grandfather Clock TO OPERATE PROPERLY. Check the weights to ensure that they are tightly assembled.
How to fix a grandfather clock that strikes the wrong time?
1) When your grandfather clock strikes the next hour, count the number of strikes. 2) Move only the shorter hour hand to the number on the dial that you just counted when the clock chimed.
How to check if grandfather clock is level?
1) Examine the dial on the grandfather clock and check to make sure the hands are not touching or hanging on any parts of the dial or second hand. 2) Check the leveling of the grandfather clock. There are 4 adjustable levelers on the bottom corner of most grandfather clocks.
How to fix a tick on a pendulum?
You should start by moving the pendulum hanger in the direction where it should have ticked until you fell some resistance and then just a bit further in the direction…then try again. Sometimes it may take several times to get it right.
Why does my grandfather clock sound like it is running without a pendulum?
If the clock is running without the pendulum attached, it sounds like the pendulum is touching either the chime rods behind the pendulum or the weights in front of the pendulum. This might be caused by the front to back leveling of the grandfather clock.
Why does my pendulum stop?
If your pendulum is swinging in an elliptical pattern, this can cause the clock to stop. Check your leveling first and if the leveling is good, it is probably a distorted suspension spring. It would need to be replaced. They are available at merritts.com.
What order should the chains be on a grandfather clock?
If your clock is a chain driven grandfather clock, the chains should be in the order as in the image.
Is a grandfather clock fragile?
Everything was fine until we moved the grandfather clock, Now my Clock has Stopped. While Grandfather clocks are misunderstood to be very fragile and delicate. Grandfather Clocks are actually very durable. When the grandfather clock is not working after a move, there are a few problems to look for that can be easily fixed.
How to tell if grandfather clock is accurate?
Examine and see if the weights are aligned properly. If they are misaligned, set them right by referring to the marks at the bottom. These marks indicated the exact alignment for the weights. Place the weights on the correct side, since only then will the grandfather clock movements be accurate.
What do you need to own a grandfather clock?
What You'll Need. Screwdriver. What You'll Need. Screwdriver. The most important aspect of owning a grandfather clock is to take care of the grandfather clock movements. Generally, due to the different types of clocks available, finding the cause of the problem can be confusing. The rules are completely different for grandfather clocks ...
What happens if the pendulum does not swing?
If the pendulum does not swing, it will lead the hands on the grandfather clock to freeze. The hands have to be unlocked. Pull the weights up, open the glass and gently move the hands away from each other. Be careful while doing this, as the hands are quite delicate.
Can a grandfather clock be moved?
Constantly shifting the position could lead to problems in the grandfather clock movements. It is advisable to keep the movement to bare minimum.
watchweasol
Hi First thing to do is read up on three train mechanisms before starting they employ some complex gear work for the strike and the chime not forgetting the auto correction for the chime. To remove the springs one has to let down the power on all the barrels before doing anything.
Lenj
AS Watchweasol said..Sounds like the springs are fully wound and under a LOT of power.... To remove the springs you HAVE to let down the power on all the barrels before doing anything to this movement, as I found out when I first started the hobby many years ago.
watchweasol
Hi Yes a twin train clock no matter the state its in will give you the basics of how the clock fits together and what makes it tick. taking it to pieces once or twice cleaning and oiling , removing springs etc for practise is a must. Once you have gained the dexterity and knowledge and feel confident enough tackle the project clock.
nickelsilver
Just gotta say weasol, that's some sound advice. I think if OP follows it they'll get that clock going. Thumbs up!
oldhippy
For starters you will need a clock mainspring winder to remove the three springs. The chiming spring will be very powerful so you need to take care. The tool will not be cheap, I see second hand ones on ebay and they fetch over £100, there are youtube videos that show how to make your own, I don't know how good they are.
Posts
You don't need to use a pin vise to grip the stem. Just grip the stem with a long nosed pliers. Warm the stem with a soldering iron and the crown should come off quite easily.
When was the grandfather clock invented?
The name Grandfather Clock was actually not popularized until the 1870’s. American songwriter Henry Clay Work found himself in England for a visit, and was booked to stay at the George Hotel in Yorkshire.
What happened to the clock when the first brother died?
When the first brother died, the clock began to lose time, when the second brother died, it stopped completely. Whatever the truth of the matter, Work took a fancy to the story and wrote a song about it, called ‘My Grandfather’s Clock.’.
What does "tempus fugit" mean on grandfather clocks?
If your grandfather clock has “Tempus Fugit” embossed on the dials, as many do, this is Latin for “time flies” and is not an indication of the brand, make, model or value. Grandfather clocks are very complex and require a specific skill set.
What is the purpose of the white dial on a clock?
Additionally, the white dial came to house pictures and illustrations, such as birds, flowers, and other often nature-themed imagery.
Who invented the pendulum?
In 1656, a Dutchman by the name of Christian Huygens had the idea to use a weighted pendulum to drive clocks. Unfortunately, his original designs left something to be desired, as the potential of a pendulum as a timekeeping element was undermined by its own tendency to be slightly inaccurate.
Can you repair a grandfather clock yourself?
Expertise in grandfather clocks is rare and it’s important your grandfather clock be in the best hands. Don’t wait to repair your grandfather clock or try to service it yourself. We can even provide in-home serving and repairs for grandfather clocks.
How to hang a clock with weights?
Just wind up the clock to where you would like the weights to hang at full winding, while you watch the action of these star gears. Then install the gears so they lock at that spot while the clock is being wound up. At this spot there should be plenty of room for the weights and its attachments to be free from touching anything, and the clock not too top heavy that it will fall over on someone when the door is opened. That's it, its done, the lower side will take care of itself and stop in 8 days like it should
Why do clocks need to be cleaned?
The goal to cleaning a clock movement is to remove old oil that has solidified and put new oil in its place. Solidified clock oil creates wear to the movements outer plates and eventually causes too much friction for the Weight Driven Clocks to run.
How to correct a clock that is bonging the hour?
To correct a mantle or wall clock that is bonging the hour when the minute hand gets to 6 o'clock instead of 12 o'clock, just count the bongs, take off the minute hand and reinstall it on the clock pointing to 12 o'clock, then turn the hour hand to the hour you heard the clock bong and its done.
What happens if you put a wrong pendulum bob on a clock?
It is commonly found in mantle clocks that the wrong pendulum bob has been put on the clock. Bobs are lost frequently like clock keys. If someone decides to replace the bob but hooks on a fatter one then the original, it may bump into the movement during its swing, even though the clock is level.
Why does my clock stop working?
In many cases the complaint with a mechanical clock is that it stopped working after it was moved. This is usually from someone moving the clock without taking the pendulum off and this puts the clock out of beat. Out of beat is a term used in clock repair that basically means the clock is going tock-tick, tock-tick, or ticktock, ticktock instead of tick tock tick tock. It is sometimes corrected by putting a matchbook or Small piece of wood under one side of the clock case to make the tick and the tock evenly spaced. This can temporarily correct the problem and the clock runs fine. This method however is not as good as correcting the beat and having the clock run when it is truly straight and level.
Why is the pendulum free?
The point is, to keep the pendulum totally free from obstructions because it uses its own weight and momentum to help keep the clock running.
How does a clock chime work?
There are only two general methods that a clock synchronizes the chime with what hour it is, these two methods are called Rack and Snail or Count Wheel. Both of these involve many interactions between the arms inside the movement (The arms are in the front of the movement in a rack and snail style movement).
