Expert: William J Perkins - 2/10/2008

Question
I purchased a Ridgley grandfather clock from my neighbor.  He put the weights on and pulled the weights up, but not enough so the clock stopped working.  I pulled them up, and the clock started to work and the middle weight started coming down as it should.  The chimes did not work and the right and left weight seemed to be stuck.  I went on-line to see why the chimes weren't working and discovered that my neighbor had not put the weights in the correct positions.  He has the left weight on the right, the center weight on the left, and the right weight in the center.  Again, the clock is working fine, but the chimes won't work and I cannot change the position of the weights because I had pulled them up too high and cannot get to them so as to remove the weight that is on the right and the left.  Is there anything that I can do to release and change the position of these weights or should I call a clock repair man?
Please advise,
Carol

Answer
Presuming the clock had been performing as it should, before you bought it, and the clock had not been inactive for an extended time, there is a good probability that you can take care of this matter yourself.  You will need to apply more weight to the right side.  In all probability the weight is pulled up tightly to the seatboard making it impossible for the ratchet to release without some additional help.  There are two ways to do this, (1) simply grasp the right weight with your hand and pull down with sufficient force to overcome the ratchets lock up.  A force equal to 1.5 to 2 lbs should be adequate.  (2)  The other way is to hang additional weight below the weight shell.  A good media is a sock full of sand.  Make sure the additional weight does not interfere with the action of the pendulum.  Either of these procedures would allow the right and left weight to descend enough to clear the seatboard properly.  To preclude such a thing from happening again install a ring stop 6 links above the weight hook.  This will stop the weights at the seatboard before lock-up is caused.  1 inch split key rings are very good for this application.  If this doesn't do it I suggest you call in a clock repair person.  If the clock at idle for more then several days, the lubricants probably jelled and the clock needs cleaning and adjustment.  Best of luck, Regards WJP