Expert: Martin Meyer - 8/17/2008

Question
Just bought a Ridgeway grandfather clock. Model # 210, Movement HL, serial # 10978.
Have tried everything I've read to get it to run to no avail!
How do I know if the weights are in the right position?
I have the heaviest weight to the right and the other two to the center and left. Have leveled, tipped each way while swinging the pendelum but won't keep going!! I looked into top and seems like when the pendelum is moving (from my push), it's not really moving the top wheelie thing at all. It's touching it for sure. Seems like it needs to be closer?
Any help at all before I have to spend money to get it running?? Thanks!!

Answer
Hi Rose,

If the heaviest weight is on the right (as you look at the clock), the weights are in the correct positions. Incorrect weight positions will not prevent the clock from running, but may prevent it from chiming.

There are many possible causes of your clock's failure to run, and I can't really narrow it down in this forum. The most common causes are the pendulum being out of beat, the movement needing lubrication, and possible wear in the bearings of the movement. Please browse my previous answers for information on setting the beat and lubrication. Bearing wear is a problem for a professional clock repairer to correct with a complete overhaul.

The pendulum causes an anchor-shaped part (the verge) to move back and forth, releasing one tooth of the escape wheel (saw-tooth shaped gear) with each swing in each direction. If the verge is moving back and forth, but the escape wheel is not turning, the problem is either that the pendulum is far out of beat, or the gear train is not supplying enough power to make the escape wheel turn. This latter problem can be caused by bearing wear, dirt and dried oil in the bearings or, less frequently, something jamming the gear train. These are generally problems which must be addressed by a professional clock repairer.

You definitely do NOT want to adjust the verge to be closer to the escape wheel. This adjustment is set at the factory and rarely becomes incorrect, unless the screws which hold the verge in the movement have become loose. The degree of engagement of the verge with the escape wheel is very critical, and it may appear that the verge is not engaging the escape wheel very deeply; this is normal. To adjust the verge to engage more deeply with the escape wheel will lock the escape wheel and prevent it from turning at all.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com