Expert: Michael Radi - 3/31/2009

Question
Hello, and thank you for being an expert! I have a Howard Miller grandfather clock, i think its 1980 or so..I am pretty versed on adjusting this thing, however a few weeks back, I let the weights run down and cant get it back in. It seems to want to run an hour behind. It keeps consistant time..I was within 5 minutes, adjusted the pendulum a hair, but now its an hour off. Tomorrow morning, it will be an hour off..dont get it
Seems like it was stopping at about 10 till the hour about a week ago..id reset it, it would run, and then stop at 10 till the hour. I think im past that now, but cant figure why my clock wont keep the correct time. Its not slow, just skips an hour somewhere..hope you can help.

Answer
This is a difficult problem to diagnose without seeing the clock. Even upon inspection, this would not be obvious to detect.
My best guess based on the two symptoms would be that the clock is jamming up when it gets close to the hour chime. This could happen on any hour but the 12:00 would be more likely.
Usually the hand tension is strong enough to stop the pendulum if the levers jam up. However if the hand tension is on the loose side the clock might keep running even though the hands have stopped.
Try advancing the minute hand, letting the clock chime every 15 minutes. See if you are encountering some resistance when you get close to the hour, especially the 12:00 hour.
Let me know how it goes.
Michael