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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Housework > Moving Furniture > Move Grandfather clock
Expert: Harry Lipsky
Date: 5/13/2008
Subject: Move Grandfather clock
Question
QUESTION: I just read you answer to Tom and having some problem relating your answer to my situation. Due to my Mother's passing, I will be moving my Great Grandfater's grandfather clock. It use to hang on the wall in the school room where he taught back in the 1800's and is about 3 feet tall. The weight consists of a long brass cylinder and is suspended by some sort of wire that passes through a pulley at the top of the cylinder. The pendulum is behind the weight and seems to be 'hammered' brass. Not sure how to remove the weight or if I should attempt to remove the pendulum prior to removing the weight. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
ANSWER: Hello Terry,
Some old clocks have the pulley that you need to get to located behind the face of the clock. Are there any screws that look like the face could be removed? Check the back for any type of a service door. Many of the grandfather clocks from the 1800's had removable "bonnets" that would allow access to the face where it could be removed. I don't think that the "wall" clocks had this feature. Usually the pulley would just unhook from the cylinder then end up dangling. The "hammered" brass part of the pendulum itself could be unhooked from the rod on some clocks. If nothing can be removed from below, there has to be a way to access an opening into the clock. Did you try to lift the pendulum and move the top of the rod around to see if would separate?
Let me know what you find out or if you have something else you can add. CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE: www.antiqueclockspriceguide.com
Keep me posted,
Harry
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Harry,
First I want to thank you for your previous answer. I went back down to my Mothers house this last weekend for the first time since I first emailed my question.
Yes, the weight was easily removed from the pulley. I was able to lift the pendulum and move it and with a little effort it came free and I was able to remove it.
I had expected to find a 'hook' or 'claw-like' hook at he top of the shaft but it is not. The top of the shaft is split with a 'pin' running through it. Hinged on the pin is a 2 inch metal 'tab'. The top of the tab seems to have little 'dimples' on each side, presumably to 'lock' the tab into the mechanism somehow.
I have brought the clock home and have no idea as to how to reattach the pendulum. There is not a service door on the back. The face does have screws around it. The hour and minute hand has a pin, but the second hand does not.
Any ideas on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in Advance,
Terry
ANSWER: Hello Terry,
I think I know what type of attachment you have on the top of the pendulum rod. The 2" metal tab that you have actually slides into a slot up inside and the part with the little dimples on it keeps the metal tab from sliding all the way through. Did you try to lay it on its back and look up inside with a flashlight? There should be a type of bracket with a slit in it where the tap will go. If there is no way to remove the second hand, it must come off with the face but you shouldn't have to go through all that to hook on a pendulum. If worse comes to worse you might have to remove the face to expose the "works".
Let me know if you can add anymore info. Check to see if the whole face and works are loose or just sitting there. I have seen the mechanism of a clock lift out of a standard clock without having to unscrew the face. Any way to look into the sides to see the works?
Let me know,
Harry
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Harry!
I went back and fiddled with the second hand and applied a little more pressure and it came off a very very slim 'dow'. I did look up the clock with a flashlight and could see a 2 pronged fork which looked to me like the shaft of the pendulum would go in. I finally crossed my fingers and removed the face. After feeling around for something for the tab to connect to, I finally noticed a round mechanism at the very top backside with some play and the slimist of slits in it. It took me about 15 minutes to get that tab into that slit but finnaly it went! I tested it, and it seems to work, although until I get it placed and perfectly level it doesn't work for long.
I found some light etching in the wood on the back side that looks like 10/2/93. I know it is not 1993 so maybe 1893. Just under the XII it says "Made in the U S A" and just over the VI there is a circle with an 'S' in it. The top of the S breaks into an 'E' with the top of the 'S' making the center prong of the 'E'. The bottom of the 'S' has an 'O' or 'J' or something 'hanging' on it. I figure this is some sort of manufacturing mark. Have any ideas?
Thanks again, You are the GREATEST!
Terry
Answer
Hello Terry,
The clock sounds like it would be from 1893 unless it is a reproduction from 15 years ago. The stamped the letters may have something to do with "SETH THOMAS" but that is only a guess. Check out the url's I included below and see if you can get any info from them.
I am glad you figured out the pendulum. Clocks are very finiky and it is very important to get them level as possible.
http://www.greenfieldstore.com/pdf/clock_care.pdf
www.antiqueclockspriceguide.com
Keep me posted if you find anything,
Harry
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