Clocks, Watches/Grandfather Clock

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Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/19/2010


Question
Trend Clocks by Sligh--numbers on original box 0937-1-AB, L-114 bought in Grand Junction, CO, 3/15/84..I took pendelum off to move when carpet needed repaired...I did not take the 3 weights off..moved by pushing it over about 3 feet by 2 guys...same when pushed back, pushed into same indentations in carpet when reset...pendelum was reattached...bubble in level placed in cabinet floor is in middle...clock will not continue running...I do not hear any tick-tock..any suggestions as to what else I can do...a repair man is about $100 or so and would appreciate you help...I estimate the $100 as that's what we paid when we had clock moved by Quality Time, Las Vegas, NV, from Mom's house to mine..thanks for your time and help

Answer

Pendulum leader assemb
Hi Penny,

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you, my computer has been down.

Your clock is most likely "out of beat". This is the adjustment of the pendulum to make it swing exactly equal distances from dead center to the left, as from dead center to the right. If a clock is out of beat, the pendulum will swing for a few minutes, then stop.

Listen to your clock's tick. If a clock is in beat it goes "tick-tick-tick" like a metronome. If it goes "tick-TOCK-tick-TOCK", or makes no tick at all, then it is out of beat. Some clocks have automatic beat setting; try starting your clock with as wide a swing as possible. If it has auto beat setting it will correct its beat as it settles down to a normal swing.

If your clock does not have auto beat setting, the beat will have to be set manually. This is a delicate adjustment which takes some experience to do properly. You may want to have a professional clock repairer do a service call to set the beat. If you want to try doing it yourself, this is the procedure:

Remove the side or back panels to access the back of the movement. You will see that the pendulum top is connected to a strip of metal about 6 inches long. This is the pendulum leader. There will be another flat brass strip (the crutch) which comes out of the back top of the movement, bends to go straight down, then ends in a connection to the pendulum leader. This connection will be either a round post on the crutch going through a hole in the leader, or a forked end on the crutch going around the leader.

Now move the crutch to either side. You will feel a point of slight resistance near the end of the swing. Push the crutch past the point of resistance, just a tiny amount, probably less than you can see. If the uneven ticking sounds worse, or if there is no tick, do the same thing in the opposite direction of swing. Do this in small adjustments on whichever side makes the tick more even, until you achieve the steady "tick-tick" sound.

Adjusting the beat is a very delicate process, and it will most likely take a few tries for you to "get the feel" of the adjustment. But, if you do it patiently and in very tiny adjustments, you will probably be able to correct the beat.

Other things you should check for are that the chains or cables are not jammed, and the cables (if your clock is cable drive) have not slipped off the pulleys and jammed in the pulley axles. Also, check that the pendulum leader assembly is connected correctly, and the suspension spring is not broken. I have attached a picture of a pendulum leader assembly to assist with this.. It will not look exactly like your clock's, but the basic parts are all the same.

Martin Meyer

Expertise

Can answer repair and service questions for most types of clocks, antique and modern, mechanical and battery. NO watches, appraisals, identification, history, dating, or questions about cuckoo clocks. Website for Modern and Antique Clock Repair: Clockmasteronline.com

Experience

24 Years as owner and repairman of clock repair business, 28 years in the field. Factory Independent Service Center for Howard Miller, Ridgeway and (formerly) Sligh Clocks. Specializing in Fine Antique Longcase (grandfather) clocks. Clock repair Website: (Please remove "Not" from the address - this is a spam protection): www.NotClockmasteronline.com

Organizations
AWCI (American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute) and NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors)

Publications
Am also an Expert in the "AllExperts-Antiques-Antique Clocks" Category.

Education/Credentials
Trained by a former Rolex Asia watchmaker, and by a Master Watchmaker/Clockmaker.

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