How to Adjust the Strike Hammer on a Pendulum Clock

Grandfather clocks are one type of pendulum clock.

One of the definitive features of a pendulum clock is the chime given on every hour, which is made with a strike hammer on a bell. If you feel that the strike is not right, for example giving too weak a sound or hitting too hard, then you can adjust the position of the strike hammer to affect the way in which it hits the bell.

Things You'll Need

• Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

1. Bend the hammer head towards or away from the bell with your hands. You should leave around a quarter inch between the bell and the hammer to allow the bell space to resonate.

2. Grip the middle of the hammer rod with needle-nose pliers.

3. Adjust the strike hammer with your other hand to raise or lower the hammer head end of the rod. How long the rod is can affect the tone and resonation of the bell when struck by the hammer.

4. Adjust the clock's minute hand to pass the hour to test the chime strike. Readjust the hammer as necessary.

References

• Valuable Clocks: Old Mantle Clocks and Their Care
• Clock Guy: Stuff to Know