Expert: John Newman - 12/24/2009

Question
Are the weights supposed to fall equal on a Ridgeway grandfather clock?   When setting the time on one, do you run it a whole 24 hours by using the minute hand?  Also, we bought this clock used and got it Monday,  it worked good up until yesterday, I was cleaning the glass and bumped it accidently making the pendulum hit the weights  a couple of hours later it stopped, we started it back up then at 9:00 it struck 12 times instead of 9, then this morning we noticed it stricking 12 times at 7:00, 8:00.  would I have caused it to get off sequence? stopped it a few min. ago and wound it back up and so far its working and chiming when its supposed to.    Would you recommend getting it cleaned and oiled?  I have been told they will not run to good if dust gets in the gears.  This is all new to us and we just have alot of questions? Also, we can't get it to strike exactly on the hour its off about 1 min. it is level, is there anything to do to get it exact?   Thanks!!

Answer
Milissa, I need to know the model of the movement to know about the weights.  If the chimes and strike are not working the weights will not descend during that time.  That can be because there is a failure of the chime (which affects the strike) or that the chimes and strike are turned off.  Other models allow the chime and strike weights (right and left side) to descend even though you do not hear the chimes and strike.  After you wind the clock the weights will descend a little differently due to differences in the chime and strike durations.  However, they will be equal every 12 hours from the time of winding, if you set them equal when you wound them.  

You use the minute hand only to set the time.  On the modern clocks you can turn the minute hand forward or backward for setting.  They are "safe-back" clocks and it doesn't harm them to do this.  Some companies even recommend setting them backwards.  If the strike is off with the hour the hour hand is pointing to, there is a procedure to correct this.  I will include it in some of the procedures I have included below.  Also included is the procedure to correct the minute hand at the exact hour.  

The clock you have probably has an auto-beat mechanism.  It could have been knocked out of beat.  Correcting that is below.

I recommend servicing a clock every 7 to 10 years.  Dust in the gears does not help things, but usually that is not why a clock stops.  It's just the grime and gummy lubricant in the pivots that will cause it to fail, along with worn parts.


Here are the procedures:

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.  It should be relatively level.  The level is not critical, as setting the beat (below) will correct for this.  

Next, verify that the weights are hung correctly.  On most clocks the weights vary in weight.  The general rule is that if one weight is heavier than the other equal weights, it will go on the right (as you face the clock).  If one weight is lighter than the other two, it will go on the left.  Clocks with second hands or pendulum bobs larger than 6.5" will have one of the heavier weights in the middle.

Is the pendulum hanging configuration correct?  This means that the suspension spring, hanger, verge 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.  Most later model movements have an "auto-beat" mechanism.  The beat can be set by holding the pendulum over to one side next to the case and releasing it.  It will automatically correct itself.  If it does not have this feature, the escapement crutch will have to be slipped manually.  If required, I can give you instructions for that.


THE SECOND LEVEL INCLUDES MAINTENANCE

This 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.  I recommend maintenance be performed every 7 to 10 years.


THE THIRD LEVEL IS REPAIR.

This 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.

SYNCHRONIZING THE MINUTE HAND

To synchronize the minute hand for the correct operation, follow these steps:  The minute hand (long one) will fit on the square minute hand shaft in four different positions.  Only one is correct.  The way to determine the correct one is to install it temporarily on any of the positions and move it forward, letting each chime complete it's tune until the hour chime has finished and the hour has struck.  Without turning anything, remove the minute hand and reinstall it pointing to the 12.  Install and tighten the hand nut.  I always use a pair of pliers to tighten the nut a little more than hand tight, but not too much.  This keeps the nut from loosening and coming off in the future.
 

SYNCHRONIZING THE HOUR HAND

After synchronizing the minute hand and letting the clock strike the hour, count the number of strikes.  If the hour hand is not pointing to the hour that just struck, slip it to that hour.  This positions the hour hand correctly.  Make sure it is pushed on so it is tight.  Check to see if the hands clear each other and the dial when they rotate.  If they don't they will catch each other and stop the clock.   Then turn the minute hand to reset the clock to the correct time.  The chimes might not be in sync, but they should correct within one to two hours.  

MINUTE HAND ALIGNMENT FOR MODERN CLOCKS (MINUTE HANDS WITH BUSHINGS)

If the minute hand is not pointing exactly to a quarter or hour when you hear a "click" that starts the chime, the bushing needs to be slipped.  If possible, stop the clock and note the position of the minute hand.  Without turning anything, remove the minute hand nut and the minute hand.  Grasp the bushing on the back of the minute hand with a good pair of pliers at a right angle
to the jaws of the pliers (this is to keep from pinching your fingers if the pliers slip). Hold the minute hand near the center and slip it in the direction  to correct the position.  Reinstall it on the minute hand shaft and check to see if it is pointing at the quarter or the hour.  If not, readjust it.  It may take a few tries to get it just right and possibly again after the clock has been running.  Start the clock again and check for the alignment.


I hope this helps.  I hope you enjoy your clock and you have a wonderful Christmas.  If you have any more questions, get back with me.  I will be on vacation for a few days, but should be back the middle of next week.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama