Expert: Martin Meyer - 6/9/2008

Question
I purchased a grandfather clock set that came with the cable drums not installed. Can you tell me anything about this installation? One is marked 'T'. one is 'S' and one is 'CH'. Which order do they go in? Does the end loop of the cable re-attach to the drum? Any info would be appreciated. Ric

Answer
Hi Ric,

As you look at the front of the movement, the "S" weight goes on the left, the "T" in the center, and the "CH" on the right (Strike, Time, Chime.

One end of the cable attaches to a slot in the drum. The other end attaches to mounting post at the bottom of the movement. There is one post for each cable.

The drum must be installed with about 1/2 turn of cable on it. Then, mount the movement, hook the weights on, and wind up the cables. You must make sure that the cables follow the grooved tracks on the drum; if they tangle or cross over, the clock will stop or not chime or strike.

Many clocks have a "stopworks". This is a series of two gears at each winding shaft, one mounted on the winding shaft, and the other right next to it. The stopworks prevents the clock from running down too far or winding up too high. If set properly, it will stop the cable drum from turning when there is about 1/2 to 3/4 turn left on the drum, and will allow the clock to wind until the cable pulley is about 6" (this varies) below the movement's seatboard. Setting up the stopworks can be a fairly difficult procedure, and is beyond the scope of this forum.