Expert: William J Perkins - 4/29/2009

Question
I purchased an antique waterbury clock, it is very heavy cast iron, beautiful. it was missing the pendulum, but I found the one that goes with it on ebay.
My question is the person i bought it from said they had wound it. But it has not been running because of no pendulum. I attached the pendulum it ran for about 5 minutes and stops, I have tried numerous attempts, it works for awhile and stops. Do I need to wind it? HOw do you know when you need to wind it? I dont want to wind it tight. It chimes perfectly when it does run on the hour. It has two key wind places on the face,and i dont know which one winds the clock either. Can you help me, as the clock is so beautiful and i dont want to break it, or if there is a manual out there somewhere on these clocks.
I would appreciate any info you can give me.
Thank you for your time.
Terri

Answer
I would need to examine the clock to respond to all your quires.  In absence thereof I will offer some observations.  Your clock is of the two train variety in that it has two trains of gears, one, on your right as you face the clock is the time train.  This is the set of gears, etc, that comprise the motor for telling time. the other, on your left is the set of gears that comprise the motor power the strike mechanism.  Each of these trains has a shaft that is reached through a hole in the dial.  By placing the key on the shaft you are enabled to wind the train.  To wind the key is turned to cause the spring to wind.  You continue winding until a very firm resistance is felt.  When that condition is met the train is fully wound.  You mention the clock had no pendulum when acquired and was not running because of that absence.  Actually, if the clock were in proper order, it should have ran, very fast.  If the clock didn't quick beat until unwound, there is some thing wrong.  The most likely problem the clock is out of beat, the next most likely the clock needs cleaning and adjustment.  There is also the prospect the clock would require repair.  The absence of a proper pendulum bothers me.  Are you sure you acquired the proper one?  Have you carefully examined the pendulum for obstructions?  Could it be rubbing on something?  During the short period the clock does run does it produce an even tick, tick sound?  Even ticking is very important.  I would be pleased to pursue this with you further but would require more information.  Evaluating my comments and responding thereto would be helpful.  Congratulations on your clock.  The iron boxes are very desirable and Waterbury was one of the better American clockmakers.  Regards WJP