Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 12/5/2009

Question
I have an old grandfather clock with new German works that are a year old. It has two weights - one runs the clock and one runs an hour/half hour bell chime. I raise the weights manually, not with a key. Last night I pulled too hard on the weight chain that controls clock, and the weight fell off. The chain did not come off the track, but the end of it ended up high inside the clock. I could reach the end of the chain well enough to tug on it, and the pendulum moved and the clock ticked when I did this, but I couldn't reach it well enough to rehang the weight.

I removed the hands and dial and was then able to attach another small length of chain that I had to end of the weight chain high inside the clock, and I re-hung the weight. I then removed the pendulum to allow the clock to run fast and the chain to drop more quickly. The pendulum hook (minus pendulum) swung rapidly with the pendulum off. The weight and chain were obviously engaging the mechanism. The bell mechanism has been working fine too.

This morning the chain end was down where it should be. I removed the weight and temporary piece of chain, replaced the weight, and put on the pendulum. But the pendulum won't swing and the clock won't tick.

I don't understand this. The weight IS running the clock with the pendulum off, as the pendulum hook itself swings back and forth rapidly and the weight descends. But put the pendulum back on - nothing! I'd like to correct this myself if possible, as the clock shop that installed the works a year ago took a year and a half to do so! I see no obvious problem - the chain is on the track and feels "normal" when I raise the weight. Thanks!"

Answer
you have done fine in all you did.

clock is simply out of beat -- read up here 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. Newer movements have a horizontal bar that fits in the brass suspension leader slot.
  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!