Expert: John Newman - 1/6/2011

Question
how do i set and wind 3 key mantle clock?

Answer
Dorothy, I usually need the model of the movement for answering certain questions.  However, let's try with yours, assuming that it is what what I classify as a modern production clock, made since WWII.  The right winding hole is for the chime, the center for the time and the left one is for the strike.  Most clocks of this type wind in the clockwise direction, but that does vary with some manufacturers occasionally.  It does not matter which one you wind first.  Make sure you have a key with a proper fit, not too snug and not so loose that it has a lot of play.  If it is the wrong size and is too loose, it can slip, damaging the clock and sometimes your hand.  Winding should be done firmly, not too fast.  these movements usually require about 12 half-turn winds from run down to fully wound. Grasp the key and wind (1/2 turn).  Let the key come back to rest before releasing your grip for the next wind.  This gives a better insurance that it will not kick back.  Wind until you sense an increased resistance.  Unless you are super strong and really force a key to break something, you cannot wind it too tight.  A popular misconception is "My clock won't run because someone wound it too tight".  There are probably other things that cause a clock to stop.  You probably have an 8-day clock, which would require winding it once a week, or every 7 days.  To set the clock you turn the minute hand until the correct time is set. Again I'm assuming a modern production clock, but they are mostly "safe-back" clocks which can be turned backwards without harming the clock.  As you turn the minute hand backwards, you should hear a faint "click" past each quarter hour and hour as the mechanism passes the chime trip point.  Also, the clock should have a chime correction function.  This means that the chimes will correct themselves within one hour, two under certain conditions at the most.  So you don't have to wait for the chimes to complete their tunes every time you pass a quarter.  Good luck and let me know how it goes.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama