Expert: Martin Meyer - 4/20/2009

Question
We have a Colonial grandfather clock that is probably about 30 years old.  Lately it has started chiming slowly so I'm assuming it probably needs cleaned and lubricated.  Don't think this has ever been done.  Would you agree with this assessment and if so, how do we go about doing this (and where would we get clock oil or will something else suffice).  The clock has two small access panels on either side of the mechanism (this may be obvious to you but I don't know too much about clocks!).  Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Answer
Hi Bill,

Slow chiming is usually an indication of either need for lubrication or wear in the bearings of the movement. It can also occur if the heaviest weight is not on the right side (as you look at the clock). The average lifespan of modern grandfather movements is about 20 years, with much individual variation. In combination with the fact that this movement has never received needed routine oiling (should be every 3-5 years), there is a very strong chance that the movement is worn out (but not a certainty).

Oiling is done by applying an extremely small drop of CLOCK OIL ONLY (NO other type of oil!) to each point where a gear end (pivot) enters a hole in the front and back main plates of the movement. These holes have a small chamfer ("oil sink") around them which serves to hold the drop of hole in place between the bearing and the pivot. There are a few other points to either oil or apply a special light clock grease, but you can get by without doing these. Clock oil is available from any clock supply house such as Timesavers (www.timesavers.com) or Merritts Antiques (www.merritts.com). You can also get it in oilers with long capillary tube ends, which can reach inaccessible places in the movement.

You will not be able to access the oiling points from the side openings, particularly for the front movement plate, which is close behind the dial. You will need to remove the movement from the clock, remove the hands, and remove the dial. You can then easily reach all oiling points, front and back. There are very many arrangements for mounting movements in clocks, so I am not able to give you instructions on how to do this, but you should be able to reason it out when you closely examine the clock's construction.

If you decide that this is too much work, a clockmaker can do a service call, lubricate the movement, and determine if the bearings are worn, and how badly.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com