Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 2/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: After returning from vacation, I wanted to start up my grandfather clock.  In my hurry, I didn't wait for the clock to stop chiming the hour (9) before I started to move the minute hand ahead.  Things got messed up and now the pendulum won't keep swinging.  I have checked to make sure the hands aren't touching, I have not changed the pendulum weights.  I hadn't moved the clock.  Any suggestions?  I miss my clock!!!!  Thanks

ANSWER: 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!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Ken for your prompt response.  Here is where I'm at now, in my attempt to keep the pendulum swinging.  The assembly in my clock is exactly as you described it.  I have made sure that pieces are centered and not touching anything else.  Before I hang the pendulum, the clock will evenly tick lickety split without any stopping.  However, once I hang the pendulum, there is uneven ticking which will eventually stop completely. I tried the suggestion of pushing the pendulum one way or the other but I felt it made things worse. I tried to change the position of the brass circle on the pendulum hanger (turning the screw at the bottom) but that didn't help.  My previous clock expert is in RI and I have recently moved to FL so I'm not familiar with competent repair men...thus I'm trying to troubleshoot this problem myself.  Any further suggestions?  Thank you.

Answer
<<< I tried the suggestion of pushing the pendulum one way or the other but I felt it made things worse. I tried to change the position of the brass circle on the pendulum hanger (turning the screw at the bottom) but that didn't help>>.

go by the sound of the ticking and push it the other way till you get it right --the brass cricle is a fine tuning for the same purpose.