Expert: William J Perkins - 11/9/2008

Question
I have a 30 hour Suggate long case clock that needs a new rope, can you help please advise how to effect a join and identify the type of rope?
Thanks in anticipation.

Answer
I take it the clock had a rope and was running sometime during your ownership.  What you need do is to take a small piece of this rope and send it to one of the major clock supply houses.  You will need to define the lenght required.  I presume your requirement is for an endless rope.  The ends are most often braided together, although whipping can produce satisfactory results.  I generaly reccomend whipping because the skill needed for a smooth joining via braiding is very rare these days.  I hope this will point you in the right direction for solving your problem.  Regards WJP