Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/21/2008

Question
hello I wrote in to your web page to Melvin mills but I can find his web site so I thought I would try you .its about my wall clock it was bought in the 7os it worked very well for many years then we put it storage until this year .well now the pendulum is not working properly when it swings it does not stay straight its off kilter now I found a small screw on the bottom of the pendulum and i turned it seems to be running a lot better. does the screw give it better balance can you please let me know and if so can you tell me how to a just it thanks so much .

Answer
Hi Mary,
   The nut on the bottom of the pendulum does not adjust the swing of the pendulum; it is a regulating adjustment, and makes the clock run faster or slower.
    When a pendulum does not swing evenly, or "wobbles," the cause is in the connection of the pendulum to the movement. This can be a rather tricky problem to correct. The pendulum hooks onto a part called the leader (a flat brass strip about six inches long), and this in turn connects to the suspension spring (a small flat spring, often double-leaved), which connects to a post at the very top of the movement. There is also a part called the crutch which comes out of the back of the movement, turns down vertically and ends in a short horizontal bar. This bar must go through a hole in the leader. All these parts must be connected properly, and not be bent or distorted. Please see my previous answers for more detailed information on the pendulum assembly connections.
    This description is fairly basic, and the difficult correction of pendulum error may require the services of a professional clock repairer.