Expert: Martin Meyer - 12/11/2007

Question
I just received my grandmothers mantle clock from my father.  It is approx 80-100 yrs. old I think.  I don't know what has happened.  When I got it from my Dad, we had to make a 125 mile trip with it in the backseat (I had removed the pendulum.  now, it is up on my mantle, and for the life of me, I cannot get it to run.  I start the pendelum and it stops shortly there after.  As far as I know, it is level.  I put a level on it, and it looks ok.  Have I damaged it in travel?  Thanks, Karen

Answer
Hi Karen,
    The pendulum on your clock has probably gotten out of beat in the move. First, wind all keys fully, as far as they will go.
    With the clock sitting on a level surface, start the pendulum with just enough swing to keep ticking. Now listen to the tick: if your clock is in beat, the tick sound should be "tick-tick-tick", steady like a metronome. If it is out of beat, the sound will be uneven, "tick-TOCK-tick-TOCK".
    If your clock is out of beat, place thin shims like pieces of matchbook covers under the feet on one side, then the other side, until the beat evens out. If you have to use so many shims that the clock looks crooked, then you'll need to have a clock repairer set the beat for you.
    Mantle clocks must also be level front to back, or the pendulum will hit the movement and stop the clock. Use a level to check it, then use shims, as above, on the front feet or the back feet to level the clock front to back.