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Clocks, Watches/Hanging the Pendulum
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Question
I recently moved and now have the task of getting the Grandfather clock running again. It has not run in 3 months. I leveled the clock and the weights are hung correctly (heavy one on the right), and now I'm trying to hang the pendulum. It seems like a simple task but has not turned out that way so far. The clock is a floor standing grandfather clock by Emperor Clock company (made by Hermle Black Forest Clocks; 451-050H), and the number 80 is above the "Emperor Clock Company" in the back of the clock. The pendulum has two hooks on the top of it that would face the front of the clock. I have another metallic piece about 6 inches long with a pin through one end, a screw adjustment near that end, and a double hook on the other end. The clock has what looks similar to a fork that faces the rear of the clock. How do you hang the pendulum? It seems the pendulum hook hangs on the pin in the short metallic piece, but how does the hook at the other end of the short metallic piece hang on the "fork" in the back of the clock??
Thank you,
Chester
Chester, the pendulum hangs on the 6" hanger. The hook on the top of the hanger hangs on a pin in the bottom of a suspension spring which is about 1/2" X 3/8". It is held in a slot in the horizontal suspension post that is secured to the top back of the movement plate. If you will contact me at my shop email address below, I can send you a photo of how the pendulum configuration should be hung. It sounds like your suspension spring is missing or, most likely, broken. I can get you information on obtaining the suspension springs.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)
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Answers by Expert:
John Newman
Expertise
As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.
Experience
One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.
Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Committee
Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.
Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology
Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)
Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama)
Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)
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