Expert: John Newman - 1/23/2011

Question
My clock had to be moved  & now at my née house , need instructions on how to put the weights back on. Didn't see them removed & can't figure out how they attach.
Thanks.......Sherry

Answer
Sherry, I will probably need to know the model of the movement (from information found on the back plate of the movement), but might be able to help you without it.  There are two types of movements, chain and cable driven.  This means the weights hang from chains with hooks on them or cables with pulleys.  On the chain types, the hooks (or loops) on the weights would hang from the loops (or hooks) on the chains.  The reason I name them in that way, is that some are configured so the weights are hung in the proper positions and cannot be interchanged.  Like hooks to loops and loops to hooks.  Most just have loops on the chains and hooks on the weights.  The general rule is that the heaviest weight goes on the right chain (as you face the clock).  The other two weights can be the equal in weight or the center one can have a weight in between the right and left.  The other rule is that if one weight is less than the other two equal ones, it goes on the left.  These rules also apply to weights on cable driven clocks with pulleys.  The weights on pulley clocks usually always have hooks on them.  If it is a pulley type, make sure the ends of the cables are secured to the slots under the movement itself and the cables are tracked on the pulleys before hanging the weights.  Another check that is hard to see is that the cables are wound on the cable drums in the movement without crossing or off the drums.  Any of these things can cause the cables to crimp and/or break when the weights are hung and wound.  If the chains or cables have been pulled or wound up so far that the weights cannot be hung,an experienced clockmaker will probably have to be called to resolve this problem.  There are some exceptions in that you can do it with the proper instruction and photos.  I know this is rather long but I wanted to include all the possibilities I could think of without knowing the model of the movement.  Let me know and I can do this possibly with some photos.

John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

klokdok@juno.com

Note:  Because of my commitment to answering Allexperts questions within a prescribed time limit and the large backlog of clock work at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis, other than Allexperts follow up questions.