Grandfather Clock Repair
- Move the minute hand 15 minutes at a time until the grandfather clock chimes the hour. Then stop. ...
- Leaving the minute hand in this position, unscrew the nut that holds the hands in place.
- Remove the minute hand.
- Re-position the minute hand so that it is pointing to the hour.
- Reinstall the nut that holds the minute hand in place.
Full Answer
How do you fix a grandfather clock?
How do you fix a grandfather clock movement?
- Weight. Weights control the grandfather clock movements.
- Checking the Weight. Examine and see if the weights are aligned properly.
- The Hands.
- The Pendulum.
- The Moon Dial.
- Check the Level.
- The Ticking.
- Shifting the Clock.
How much does grandfather clock repair cost?
There are a number of things that will affect the price you pay for your grandfather clock to be fixed. Most repairs will fall in the range of $100 to $3000. The main factors affecting repair cost are: Type of Clock The type of grandfather clock you have will play a large part in deciding what a professional will charge you for repairs.
How to maintain a grandfather clock?
Thoroughly Clean a Grandfather Clock in 8 Steps
- Remove the Clock. If you are comfortable with how your grandfather clock fits together and if it will help in a thorough cleaning exercise remove the pendulum ...
- Clean the Back. Move the clock case away from the wall to clean the back. ...
- Cleaning the Glass Panels. ...
- Cleaning the Woodwork. ...
- Weights and Pendulum. ...
- Batons and Face. ...
- Replace the Clock. ...
What to do with a grandfather clock?
What to know and what to do before moving a grandfather clock
- Assess the clock’s condition. Your first task is to inspect carefully your pendulum clock for any signs of pre-existing structural damage. ...
- Disassemble your timepiece to keep it safe. ...
- Grandfather clocks can be exquisite pieces of craftsmanship. ...
- Prepare the packing supplies. ...
- Do what’s best for your 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.
Is it worth repairing a grandfather clock?
It would be a waste to store or put them away. Grandfather clocks and similar timepieces can be valuable antiques, so perhaps it's best to repair them instead!
How much does it cost to service a grandfather clock?
The cost of servicing a grandfather clock can vary between $100 and $2,500, depending on what services are necessary. Normal servicing is not too costly while repairing and replacing parts can quickly add up.
How do you fix a grandfather clock that is wound to tight?
A clock can be overwound, resulting in the weights being stuck in the highest position. When this happens, gently move the minute hand past the quarter hour and listen for the chime. This should release the weight.
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 often should a grandfather clock be serviced?
Clean the Clock Movements Every five to ten years, the grandfather clock should undergo a deep cleaning of the movements. The servicing should only be done at a professional clock repair shop.
Can you use WD40 on grandfather clock?
The main thing to be cognizant of when choosing clock oil is to ensure it is designed to be used in clocks. Just like it's not a good idea to cook with motor oil you don't want to oil your clock using the wrong oil. Using substitutes like WD40 can actually damage your clock's movement.
How long does a grandfather clock movement last?
Properly maintained, a grandfather clock will long outlast its owner and some 200 and 300 year old examples are still operational. However. These will have undergone repairs and had parts replaced over their many years of service. Like any mechanical system, a clock movement will eventually suffer wear and tear.
Can I fix an overwound clock?
There are some methods you can try to fix an overwound clock: Clean the clock. Lubricate the mechanism. Replace the springs.
Why is only the middle weight dropping on grandfather clock?
If the clock is running but not chiming, then only the center weight will drop. Typically, what we find is that the grandfather clock has not been serviced and the oil has dried up in the movement and therefore the chiming side of the clock is hung up, or worst, worn out.
Why won't the pendulum keep swinging?
Have you recently moved your clock? 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.
What are the 3 weights for on a grandfather clock?
The three weights provide power to the hour strike (left weight), time (center weight), and chime melody (right weight). Without these weights, the Grandfather Clock would not operate.
How long does a grandfather clock movement last?
Properly maintained, a grandfather clock will long outlast its owner and some 200 and 300 year old examples are still operational. However. These will have undergone repairs and had parts replaced over their many years of service. Like any mechanical system, a clock movement will eventually suffer wear and tear.
Can you lay a grandfather clock down when moving?
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.
What kind of oil do you use on a grandfather clock?
0:452:59OILING our 45-year-old grandfather clock (it's been running every day)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is 100% synthetic lubricant that's important we went with this just because it's the cheapestMoreThis is 100% synthetic lubricant that's important we went with this just because it's the cheapest one we found and I think we got it on eBay for maybe $13.
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.
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 Adjust the Speed of Your Grandfather Clock
The length of the pendulum determines the speed of your grandfather clock. Most of the newer timepiece uses a stable metal pendulum. But the older ones typically use wood stick pendulum which can also keep good time if the temperature and environment are stable.
What to Do if the Speed and Chimes are Out of Sync
In most clocks can automatically synchronize the chimes after resetting the clock, but if it doesn’t happen, try letting it run for two hours without any obstruction to give it time to correct itself.
How to Adjust the Chimes of Grandfather Clock
It could also be a problem if your grandfather clock’s chimes are striking the wrong time, but there’s a quick fix for that.
How to Clean a Grandfather Clock
Just like any other furniture that stands still, it can get dusty and dirty over time. You can keep it clean by removing the dust, but it needs to undergo a thorough cleaning at least once a year to prolong its life. It can be tricky to clean its movement, but here’s a step by step guide in cleaning your grandfather clock.
How to Oil a Grandfather Clock
As mentioned above, before putting oil on the clock, you need to remove the movement or dial first so that you can reach the front plate. Then, you may start to lubricate each intersection of the clock plate and gears and fill the oil sink (a small dip located outside the clock plate) with clock oil half full.
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 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.