Expert: John Newman - 11/2/2009

Question
I have a 30 year old Emperor Grandfather clock. I would like to replace the original pendulum (wooden stick & brass bob) with a fancier pendulum, but am having difficulty finding one of the length required, and some questions about determining that length.

The movement is labeled "Ehard Jauch" made for Emperor Clock company Model 300M, it also bears the description Pendell 110 cm, and #254745.
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From the instruction booklet is the following info:

1 Diameter of pendulum bob: 6 5/8" (Diameter is of no concern to me, more concerned with fancier appearance overall, in fact would prefer a  smaller bob)

2 "Distance from center post to center of pendulum bob (length of pendulum) 38 5/8" (not sure about these measuring point -- but top of pendulum hook to bottom of pendulum tip is 38 1/2" by my measure)

3 Pendulum swing: 11"
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The pendulum attaches to the suspension arm (6 3/8" long) and that attaches to the suspension spring with a split hook.

Much sentimental value here, as I helped my now 90-year-old Dad assemble the clock for Mom in the 70's, at the same time as a slightly smaller model was built for each of my married siblings.  Mom's became mine several years later, when it needed a bigger home.  There are a couple of odd issues with the movement itself:  It can run for a month or so, and just randomly quit.  It is hard to get it started again, but usually tinkering with level will eventually start it again.  It also strikes 2 at one o'clock, but all other hours are correct.

Any assistance you can provide with any of these issues will be greatly appreciated!

Answer
Mary, you have given me some very good figures from which to determine what you need,  The easy part is that I have one of the Emperor 300M movements and can modify an existing new pendulum to work with it with the same or even smaller bob.

Keeping your clock running is a whole different situation.  When a Lyre pendulum is substituted, often more weight on the center weight has to be added.  But first the movement should be brought up to good running condition with the original pendulum.    Adding a replacement pendulum and more weight before correcting the problem with the clock might cloud the diagnostics.  Below is something I have written to determine some problems.  I have included what I call the three levels of clock Setup, Maintenance and Repair:

The first level is the setup.  If a clock movement is in operating
condition but not working.  I would check the stability of the clock
in that it doesn't rock or wobble on the floor.  Next, verify that
the weights are hung correctly.  On most clocks the weights vary in
weight.  This can be determined by the model of the movement.
Is the pendulum hanging configuration correct?  This means that
the suspension spring, hanger (Emperor called this the Suspension Arm), verge (Emperor name, the Anchor Arm Assy.) and pendulum are all connected
properly with nothing broken, especially the suspension spring,
meaning that when the pendulum swings you hear an even
tick....tock....tick....tock.  If it is uneven, like
tick..tock......tick..tock, the clock will
probably stop.  This can be corrected by a manual adjustment of the knurled nut on the "Anchor Arm Assy.

Level 2 concerns Maintenance, which includes cleaning, inspecting, oiling and adjusting.  In
the inspection, the movement is checked for adjustments, broken or
worn parts.  If there are any broken or worn parts, we go to the
third level. If all parts are okay, a good clock oil and grease is
used.  In most cases the movement should be removed from the case
to have access to all the lubrication points.  Clock lubricants
can be bought from clock suppliers.  Using lubricants for other
applications can cause problems, as some lubricants are not
compatible with others.  This even applies to different clock oils.  
After lubricating, the operation is checked for final adjustments.

The third level, Repair, requires that the movement be broken down and all
parts inspected and repaired or replaced, and then reassembled
lubricated, adjusted and tested.  I do not recommend this except
by an experienced clockmaker.

If you will contact me at my shop email address, I can give you some more details and specific figures on the pendulum and weights.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com

(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)

I found a typo after I sent the answer.  The second and third sentences in the first level reads, "If a clock movement is in operating
condition but not working.  I would check the stability of the clock
in that it doesn't rock or wobble on the floor."  That should be one sentence, "If a clock movement is in operating condition but not working, I would check the stability of the clock
in that it doesn't rock or wobble on the floor."  Sorry for the error.
John Newman