Expert: William J Perkins - 10/15/2008

Question
my clock looses about 5 mins a day. How can I fix this

Answer
The round brass disk on the bottom of your pendulum rod is called the pendulum bob.  The nut located at the bottom of the bob is used to adjust the clocks time keeping ability.  If the bob is raised, your clock will run faster, if lowered, the clock will run slower.  Start by setting you slocks time to an accurate timepiece.  Check the time 24 hours later.  If the clock runs fast, turn the nut to the left, as you face the clock, and the bob will be lowered, slowing the clock.  Check the time 24 hours later.  If the clock runs slow, as does yours, turn the nut to the right, which will push the bob up, speeding up the clock.  Then reset the clock to the correct time again.  Keep a written record of the distance you tutrn the nut each day and the resulting minutes off.  Do this every day until you have zeroed in within 1 minute of the correct time.  Then, switch to checking the clock every 7 days, using the same process untill the clock keeps time within 1 minute per week.  All other things being right with the clock this should do you.  If this does not work the clock needs cleaning, adjustment and possibly repair.  Regards WJP