How to Repair a Grandfather Clock
- To make cleaning easier, move the clock some distance from the wall. You’ll need someone to help you here.
- Use the cloth to remove dust from the clock. For dust, use the feather duster. ...
- When dusting is finished, you’ll need to apply some polish. ...
- Get rid of the cloth you used for putting on the polish. ...
Full Answer
How to fix a Tempus Fugit grandfather clock?
- Engraved or printed near the center face of the dial.
- Engraved or printed around the edge of the dial's face and may be covered by the bezel.
- Stamped or engraved on the clock movement's backplate.
- A paper label pasted on the back of the clock.
How do you fix a Tempus Fugit grandfather clock?
Clocks that don’t keep time accurately ... Also, the word “time” appears 17 times in this post. Tempus fugit.
How to put a grandfather clock back in time?
- When your mantel clock chimes, count the number of times it chimes.
- Move the hour hand to the hour indicated by the hourly chime (count the number of gongs at the hour).
- Reset the time using the minute hand to the correct hour and the chime should adjust along with the clock hands as well.
How do you repair 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. ...
Is it worth repairing a grandfather clock?
It is well worth the cost of a professional repair. If the repair is being done in a proper manner by a trusted professionally certified repair-person (horologist), and you love your clock, it is well worth the cost regardless of what its resale value might be.
How do you take apart a Ridgeway grandfather clock?
2:528:43Antique Tall Case / Grandfather Clock Disassembly tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd pull it forward now in this instance it clears nicely. So I slide it straight off. And there'sMoreAnd pull it forward now in this instance it clears nicely. So I slide it straight off. And there's the first step in disassembling an antique grandfather clock.
What causes a grandfather clock to 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.
Why does the pendulum on my grandfather 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.
Can you lay down a grandfather clock to move?
It's possible to move it his way, but it's generally not advised because laying the clock down horizontally adds pressure to the panels and glass elements. While newer grandfather clocks have a smaller chance of being damaged being transported horizontally, antique clocks are more susceptible to damage.
How do I identify my Ridgeway grandfather clock?
It may be on a plate or a foil label. The Ridgeway clock serial number can be difficult to locate, so be prepared to do some searching. On the back of the grandfather clock is a plate that has a serial and model number. It may also be on a foil label located on the clock's door.
Why does a pendulum 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 Grandfather Clock that doesn't chime?
Some grandfather clocks have two strings hanging down on either side of the dial; pulling one silences the chimes, and pulling the other activates them again.If the clock has Automatic Night Silence, try advancing the time twelve hours. ... If the clock has weights, check that the weights are in the correct order.More items...•
How do I get my Grandfather Clock to work?
1:413:20How 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.
How do you fix a clock that keeps stopping?
5:247:41"My Clock Keeps Stopping"- How to set the beat. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just gently push and Bend very very very slightly and then release.MoreAnd just gently push and Bend very very very slightly and then release.
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.
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 disrupted?
Sometimes the pendulum can disrupt the grandfather clock movements. If the clock is running slow move the pendulum up the shaft, and if it is running fast move it down.
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.
What does it mean when the clock is out of beat?
If you listen to the clock just after you give the pendulum a push and notice that the clock is not tick tocking evenly , this means the clock is out of beat. The clock must have an even tick – tock – tick – tock. If it is uneven, like tick/ tock — tick /tock — tick /tock ….
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.
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.
What is a grandfather clock chime?
Grandfather Clock Chime Issues. When a grandfather clock has issues with the chime functioning these are some basic corrections. The chime is the song that plays every 15 minutes and not to be confused with the strike. The strike is what calls out the hours after it is done with the chime song.
Why does a clock stop?
Resistance is what makes a clock stop because there is not enough weight to drive through whatever is rubbing. So if the chain or cable is rubbing something it's the same as not having the right amount of weight on the clock.
What does ANSO mean on a clock?
Higher end mechanical clock movements sometimes include an ANSO feature. This stands for Automatic night shut off, and the intention is to have the clock be silent automatically from 10pm to 7am (usually). It is possible that it thinks it's night when it's really day, and therefore will not chime.
What is the silent switch on a clock?
Silent switch and roll pin. There may be a switch at the 3 o'clock and this switch turns the chimes on or off. If the clock is a triple chime movement, meaning it has three songs, it will have the song selection and also silent on this switch.
Why does my clock not chime?
If the clock does not chime it will not strike, so therefore the clock remains silent. This being a mechanical clock, it has no sensors to determine on its own what is night or day. Solution is to go around 12 hours with the clock hands.
How long does a German clock chime?
Please note that post WW2 German mechanical clocks are designed so that if turning the hands fast or stop the clock for a long while it may not chime for up to 3/4 of an hour. This is because the clock is looking for the top of the hour so it does not lose its place as to when to chime.
Do chain and chain rubbing cause resistance?
In other words, the chains or cables do not rub the seat board, pinch or wrap around the movement pillar, or anything like this. They should be straight from the ratchet wheel or cable drum and straight down to the clock weight with nothing rubbing. If the cable or chain is rubbing something it will cause resistance.
Why is my grandfather clock stuck?
Grandfather Clock Weights Stuck. The Grandfather clock weights can get stuck in the high position if over wound. Some larger clocks have over wind protection to prevent this. The grandmother and grandfather chain drive units often do not have this feature. When winding the weights up make sure the top of the weight can be seen when done.
What to do if all else fails on a clock?
If all else fails, and it’s a chain driven clock, you would need to cut the chain in half, or break a link, to take the movement out of the clock. With the movement out of the clock it can be fixed.
Where is the strike weight on a clock?
The strike weight is on the left as you face the clock and has the lightest weight. Only after the chime weight is operating correctly can you work on the strike weight. If the clock does not run through the chime sequence it will not get to where it strikes out the hours.
How to get a chime weight stuck?
The chime weight is on the right as you face the clock and has the heaviest weight. Using cloth gloves, or at least a cloth of some kind, pull down on the weight some. This is the same as making the weight weigh more. At the same time, turn the minute hand past the quarter hour to see if it will engage the chime.
How to adjust clock for daylight savings time?
Adjust the clock manually for Daylight Savings Time. Move the clock's minute hand forward by one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall. When moving the minute hand forward, allow the clock to chime at the quarter-hour.
Is Ridgeway a longcase?
eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. As a division of the Howard Miller Clock Company, Ridgeway Clocks has been producing traditional grandfather, or " longcase," clocks since 1960, earning Ridgeway the distinction of being the oldest brand of continuously produced grandfather clocks in the United States, ...
Step 1 – Weight
- Weights control the grandfather clock movements. A weight provides the power required for the time and chime of the clock to function.
Step 2 – Checking The Weight
- 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.
Step 3 – The Hands
- 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.
Step 4 - The Pendulum
- Sometimes the pendulum can disrupt the grandfather clock movements. If the clock is running slow move the pendulum up the shaft, and if it is running fast move it down.
Step 5 – The Moon Dial
- Another cause for the inconsistency could be the moon dial. Observe the current phase that the moon is in. Now reset the moon dial with the observed moon phase. You can rotate the moon by gently pressing the dial.
Step 6 – Check The Level
- Check the platform where the grandfather clock has been stationed. If the platform is not in a level eventually it will affect the grandfather clock movements. Adjust the leveling of the platform. Test this by observing the swing of the pendulum. If the swing is correct this problem will not resurface.
Step 7 – The Ticking
- If you are unable to find a leveled surface, then listen carefully to the ticking. A more balanced ticking could be the solution.
Step 8 – Shifting The Clock
- Constantly shifting the position could lead to problems in the grandfather clock movements. It is advisable to keep the movement to bare minimum.
Step 9 – Word of Caution
- If you need to move the clock, get someone to help you do it together with you. Moving it on your own can create other unwanted hassles.