Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 3/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: We recently inherited a Ridgeway Grandmother Clock from my deceased father-in-law.  It keeps perfect time when it runs, but unfortunately the pendulum is constantly stopping and therefore the clock stops running.  I thought perhaps the clock was not level, but it is--front to back and side to side.  What else can I check or do to keep the pendulum swinging?

ANSWER: run over this and advise:

-The pendulum assembly begins at the top with a 1" two legged suspension spring pinned to a brass post sticking out of the back of the rear movement plate.
  Next a silver(probably) suspension leader about 5" long that hooks onto the bottom of the suspension spring and passes through the "foot" shaped forked brass piece (and must be in the center of the fork slot and not be rubbing front or back) that connects into the inside of the movement.
  Lastly the top of the pendulum hooks onto the bottom of this suspension leader. NOW if all is correctly assembled, swinging the pendulum will get it ticking. The sound of the ticking must sound even or balanced on either side. Not over-swinging one side or the other.
  If it is not sounding even, then push with your hand the top third of the pendulum over to the side that has the excessive overswing. You may feel some resistance but gently push a bit more then try the sound of the ticking after swinging the pendulum freely.
  If the sound is not improved in the balance then do more pushing -if it is now sounding like excessive swing in the opposite direction then push the pendulum to the other side till it sounds a pretty even tick. Clock should run then. .(There is a little slip clutch that you are adjusting when you push the "L" shaped foot to either side.)
  There are a hundred things that could be wrong- you have just taken a tour through the repair of what is wrong 98% of the time!


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

QUESTION: Thanks so much for the info.  We tried your suggestions and not sure what happened but now we cannot keep the pendulum swinging at all.  Any more advice?  Is it possible that it could just need to be cleaned and oiled?  Any more help you can give us would be greatly appreciated.  Also, how often should I need to wind the clock and do I need to be sure to wind all three the exact number of times?  Not sure what all three things even operate.  Thanks again for all your help.

Answer
probably you pushed the rear L shaped foot too far one way or the other - keep trying - no more suggestions than i have already given you ---but to call a pro - Wind all three til you cannot wind them further. left= hour strike
center= time     right= quarter chime