Expert: Michael Radi - 11/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have an antique wall clock that keeps time perfectly.  During a cross country move, it was in storage for several months  Now it appears that it is not in balance.  I have to change the level to get an even tick-tock and when I do that the level is very obviously off.  When it is perfectly level on the wall, the tick tock is way off.  Suggestions?

ANSWER: Your clock is what we call "out of beat". This adjustment is done differently in various clocks. I need to know what kind of clock it is so that I can tell you how to adjust it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I searched all over for the brand of clock, but couldn't find it anywhere.  I took a
picture and that may help.

Answer
Jess, thanks for the photo. You may need to remove the hands and face to make the adjustment.
The adjustment you need to make is in the crutch. I'll try to help you visualize this. Coming straight down from the top of the pendulum assembly; at the top is the suspension spring, attached to it will be the pendulum leader (this is probably a simple round rod). That rod goes through the crutch. I'm guessing that your crutch is a round brass wire bent at various points and having an oval loop where your pendulum leader goes through it.
Once you locate your crutch, you will see that there is a wide angle bent into in off to one side. This is the angle you would change to make your adjustment. Open or close this angle by the smallest amount possible. A little change goes a long way, you are making a fine adjustment, not reshaping the piece.
In your photo the bottom of your clock case seems to be tilted to the left. If this is the position that your clock ticks evenly, you should bend the crutch wire to the left.
Make the adjustment, swing the pendulum and listen for the tick/tock. You may have to do this adjustment a few times on either side before you get it just right.
If the set up is not as I described, please remove the hands and face and send me a photo of the pendulum assembly inside.
Michael