Expert: Michael Radi - 4/15/2009

Question
Can a clock be wound to tight to work? I removed the minute hand and this cause it to start ticking along with taking off the pendulum now a few gears are moving.What else can I do?

Answer
If a clock is working properly you should be able to wind it all the way up and it will run. When the oil on the mainspring gets too old to let the spring unwind easily it may cause the clock to stop.
You can leave the pendulum off and let the clock tick away. It will take a few hours for the mainspring to considerably unwind from its full would position.  
I think something else is going on here. You say that when you take the minute hand off the clock will run. Will the clock run the pendulum with the minute hand off?
The clock may need lubrication or cleaning and rebuilding. Can you give me any numbers stamped on the back of the clock movement?
Michael
www.norkro.com