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Clocks, Watches/Repairing Grandmother clock

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Expert: Martin Meyer - 11/15/2008


Question
When moving a small piece broke that hooked our pendulum to the works in our precious Grandmother clock.  How could we find a replacement?

Answer

Pendulum Assembly
Hi Teresa,

The piece that broke is probably the suspension spring. I have attached a photo of the pendulum assembly on a clock to help explain. The pendulum attaches to the pendulum leader, the leader to the suspension spring, and the suspension spring to the top post.

Suspension springs are available from clock supply houses like Timesavers or Merritts Antiques. Their printed catalogs show these parts in actual size; to select the correct size, just match up the broken spring with the correct photo in the printed catalog. Unfortunately, the pictures of the springs on the Internet are not necessarily actual size due to differences in screen resolutions of computers, so you'll need the printed catalog.

The spring probably broke into two parts, and you'll need both parts to select the right replacement. The part that hooks onto the pendulum usually either stays attached to the top of the pendulum or, more often, falls to the bottom of the clock case. The other part usually remains attached to the top post. You remove it from the top post by unscrewing a retaining screw or pulling out a taper pin, depending on the clock.

When you have replaced the spring, start your pendulum with as wide a swing as possible; if your clock has automatic beat setting, the pendulum will adjust itself. If it does not have auto beat setting, and the pendulum stops swinging after a few minutes, you can have a professional clock repairer do a service call to set the beat, or you can browse my previous answers for information on setting the beat yourself.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

Martin Meyer

Expertise

Can answer repair and service questions for most types of clocks, antique and modern, mechanical and battery. NO watches, appraisals, identification, history, dating, or questions about cuckoo clocks. Website for Modern and Antique Clock Repair: Clockmasteronline.com

Experience

24 Years as owner and repairman of clock repair business, 28 years in the field. Factory Independent Service Center for Howard Miller, Ridgeway and (formerly) Sligh Clocks. Specializing in Fine Antique Longcase (grandfather) clocks. Clock repair Website: (Please remove "Not" from the address - this is a spam protection): www.NotClockmasteronline.com

Organizations
AWCI (American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute) and NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors)

Publications
Am also an Expert in the "AllExperts-Antiques-Antique Clocks" Category.

Education/Credentials
Trained by a former Rolex Asia watchmaker, and by a Master Watchmaker/Clockmaker.

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