Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 3/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a Ridgeway grandfather clock that has a sticker by the works that says model 212.  The clock runs too fast.  I have adjusted the pendelum out as far as it will go but it still runs too fast. Can you help me?

ANSWER: you mean the pendulum disk is as LOW as it will go before it falls off? Did it ever run right or did you just get this clock?

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

QUESTION: Yes, the pendelum is as low as it can go.
We have had this clock for about 20 years and it ran right for probably the first 15 years or so.

ANSWER: must be the mechanism is slipping teeth on the escape wheel due to wear. To confirm,I would need to know what mechanism is in the clock and that info is stamped on the back of the rear of the back brass plate of the mechanism itself. flashlight and mirror time or maybe the back of the clock or the side windows come out enough to read it.

you are moving the round disk and not just the nut under it right? (no big gap between the disk and the nut)

And HOW FAST in minutes/day is it running??

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

QUESTION: Here is the info from the back of the mechanism:
         A
     RIDGEWAY CLOCKS
   RIDGEWAY, VA 26768
       451-033
        114 CM
         60


Answer
you movement was made for Ridgeway by the Hermle Company in 1988 and has a 1 second pendulum 114cm long. Your pendulum should be 44.9" long from the bottom of the nut to the top of the suspension post off the back of the clock- if not maybe you have the wrong pendulum or have it assembled wrong, etc.It is NOT subject to problems with the teeth on the escape wheel slipping so I have no clue why you cannot adjust the speed. It would help if you answer my questions about HOW FAST it is running and if there is a gap between the adjusting screw at the bottom of the disk and the disk itself.