Questions and Answers

How Do Clocks Work?

Basically most clocks are comprised of gears, pinions, arbors, levers, springs and two brass plates.  The gears and pinions are attached to arbors that are set between two brass plates.  The ends of arbors have pivots (small tips) that hold them through holes in the plates.  The springs power the turning of the gears through the gear train at a slow but very even pace.  Pendulums, balance wheels and fly wheels help slow that pace.  The levers along with pins on the wheels start and stop the chime and strike trains.

Where Can I Place My Grandfather Clock?

Any place where a clock can be put in an undisturbed, stable position.  It may be an outside wall, near a door, fireplace, corner or on carpet.

Does My Clock Need To Be Level?

Yes, to a certain extent your clock needs to be level, but stability is a must for the clock to operate properly.  The clock is then adjusted for an even tick thus leveling the movement to the case.

How Do I Set The Clock For The Proper Time?

Count the number of times the clock strikes the hour and be sure the hour hand is placed on that hour (Remember the hour hand is the shortest one).  Then set the clock by moving the minute hand only (the minute hand is the longest one).  The minute hand can be moved either forward or backward as many hours as is needed to set the correct time.  It is not necessary to wait for the clock to chime.  The chiming cycle of your clock is made to correct itself within two hours.

How Do I wind My Clock?

Most clocks are 8-day clocks which only need to be wound once a week.  It is not harmful to wind the clock more often.  If your clock is cable-driven, you will wind all three weights with a crank key.  To prevent over winding your cables, allow the entire pulley to be visible under the face of the clock.  If your clock is chain-driven, you will simply pull one end of the chain allowing the weight to ascend on its own.  DO NOT LIFT THE WEIGHTS WHILE WINDING.  If the clock is spring-driven, then you will wind each key hole until the spring is tight.  You cannot wind a clock backwards.

How Do I Adjust My Clock For Accurate Time Keeping?

All pendulum clocks must be regulated for proper timekeeping.  This is accomplished by turning the nut at the bottom of your pendulum.  By turning the nut to the right you will shorten the pendulum and make the clock run faster.  If you turn this nut to the left, you will lengthen the pendulum and your clock will run slower.  One full turn of this nut equals Approximately a change of two minutes of time within a 24 hour period.  Set your clock with any accurate timepiece and check for a gain or loss in a 24 hour period.  Repeat each day until clock is keeping the correct time.  It usually takes one week to regulate the clock.

Will Weather Affect the Timekeeping?

Lyre pendulums on Grandfather clocks are weather-compensating, but you may find it necessary to regulate with a change of seasons or change in home temperature.

How Do I Set The Moon Dial on My Grandfather Clock

Press lightly near the top of the dial and rotate it with finger tip.  You may find the proper moon's age by locating the date of the new moon from a calendar or Farmer's Almanac.  On date of new moon, move dial until moon is hidden under number "1".  At other times count the number of days past the new moon and move the disc that number of notches forward.  This represents the age of the new moon.

Can I Silence My Clock Frequently?

Yes, if your clock has a silence lever on the dial.  Remember when you allow the chimes to work again, they may be out of synchronization.  They will correct themselves within two hours.  Also remember if you silence your clock the center weight on your Grandfather clock will be the only weight to descend.

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