Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/11/2009

Question
I have a Tempus Fugit Grandfather clock built around 1982.  It has 3 heavy weights to operate it.  I am sure one is for the time, another for the chimes but I am not sure what the third weight is for.  

The clock runs fast (about 20 minutes a week) and never chimes even though the selector is set to "Chime".  The clock stopped all together last week.  I found out it was trying to chime and got bound up in the process.  

Any help at all would be great.

Thanks

Scott

Answer
Hi Scott,

The left weight (as you look at the clock) is for the hour strike, the center is for the time (pendulum), and the right is for the quarter-hour chime.

20 minutes per week gain is well within the limits of regulation. Turn the nut at the bottom of the pendulum to the left (unscrewing it) a very small amount. Start with just a couple turns. Make sure that the pendulum disk also moves down when you lower the nut; it is the position of the disk, not the nut, that regulates the clock. With several small adjustments you should be able to get the clock to an acceptable accuracy for a non-electronic clock.

The clock's stopping and not chiming are both probably due to either need for lubrication or wear in the bearings of the movement. I would recommend having a professional clock repairer do a service call to lubricate the clock and look for any other problems.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com