Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 12/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have an old E.N. Welch 8 day steeple clock.  I do not have the original pendulum.  I have an adjustable pendulum which allows the clock to work, but in order to get the time correct, I have had to lower the adjustment screw on the pendulum to the point where it will go no lower and it barely clears the bottom of the case.  In fact, a few days ago, the nut below the pendulum bob dragged on the case and the clock stopped.  What can I do?

ANSWER: I do not know the shape of your pendulum you are using now- look like this? http://www.clock-keys.com/CART/images/10227.JPG

seems like you have the wrong mechanism in the case- you can not make it go any slower as you have described it. What is the history of this clock? Ever have the right pendulum? ever keep good time? bought it cheap on Ebay? what? perhaps a cobbled up "marriage" of parts.

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

QUESTION: The pendulum looks just like the one in the picture to which you provided the link.  I bought the clock several years ago from a clock shop.  I don't know if this is the right pendulum or not.  Its the one that I received.  I just had the clock cleaned and it keeps good time now, but, like I said, the nut below the pendulum bob is at the end of its adjustment and is nearly rubbing the bottom of the case (there is no more adjustment if I need to slow it down).  I paid a fair price for this clock, probably too much, and it has the correct movement (EN Welch 1870).

I have come up with two solutions and you can help me with these.  I read that adding mass to a pendulum bob increases the effective length.  So one solution is to add a heavier bob.  The other is to get a smaller bob to move the weight (mass) further down toward the bottom of the case, again increasing the effective length.

Are my solutions correct and reasonable?  Is there another way that I am not thinking of?

Answer
this one would be the best bet if needed:

http://www.timesavers.com/catalogmain2.asp?ProductID=15850&submit1=Search

adding mass to the BOTTOM of a larger bob would be noticable but not to one this small. However a smaller bob like the one above would lower the mass and have some effect.

Not sure how you prove ypou have the correct movement- you might have a Welch movement from a taller steeple clock!