Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 6/17/2010

Question
I recently inherited a Sligh grandfather clock (092-3-AN) - it came with the house that my wife and I recently purchased, and it was, therefore, not moved. We love the chiming, however, we can't silent them at night. The face has a 'silence' mode - along with three others - but that seems to be (read: is) ineffective. Any solutions besides letting the clock 'run out' or just stopping the pendulum action altogether? BTW the previous owners say that the 'silent' mode worked for them.

Thanks in advance,
Brian

Answer
I assume the silent position is at the top of the slot by the #3?

Often the arm sticking through the slot gets bent or is loose on the shaft that it is attached to.

By removing the panel or opening the door on the right side, you can manually check this and make sure the arm is fully in the up position- which should shut it off.

If you cannot correct this yourself you can call a pro to fix it properly.

if you want to leave the door open on the right and set a 2" X 3" block of say wood or something on the right corner of the top of the mechanism --that will impeed the little fan from rotating and stop the sound- removal of the block will allow it to start up again.