Expert: Martin Meyer - 3/11/2009

Question
I have recently acquired my great-great-grandmother's clock.  I took it to an clock expert and had it cleaned.  When I hung it on the wall, the pendulum only swings up to 40 times and stops.  What should I do?

Answer
Hi Becki,

The most likely cause of the problem is that your clock is out of beat. I just answered a question in which I described the beat setting process. See "Joanne - ST Tambour 124 and Ridgeway Carriage".
The next most likely cause is that the pendulum assembly is connected incorrectly. In that same answer I have attached a photo of an antique pendulum assembly. The clock in that picture is different from yours, but the basic parts are all the same.

With wall clocks you can initially check the beat by moving the clock slightly side-to-side on the wall. If the uneven ("tick-TOCK") sound evens out to the even "tick-tick" like a metronome sound, then you have put the clock in beat. If the clock looks straight on the wall, you're then done. If it looks crooked, you will have to proceed with the beat setting procedure as described in the above answer.

Also, note that the clock must be level on the wall front-to-back. If your wall is not plumb, or if the clock is not hanging flush against the wall top-to-bottom, you may need to use small cardboard shims to level the clock.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com