How to Adjust Wind up Clock Kits With a Pendulum

Adjust your pendulum bob to keep correct time.

The consistent "tick tock" of your pendulum clock and the chimes on the hour, quarter hour and half hour are often soothing, but if the clock can’t keep the correct time, the chimes are likely to occur during the oddest times. Clocks are built to keep time, and when your pendulum clock no longer keeps the correct time, chances are it needs an adjustment. It may take several days of adjusting your windup pendulum clock until you get it running correctly.

Instructions

1. Verify your clock is sitting on a level surface or is hanging level on the wall. Completely wind the clock.

2. Set the time on the clock according to a computer or cell phone or visit the U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock Time website for the most accurate time for your time zone.

3. Stop the pendulum and hold it still with one hand. This avoids damaging the suspension spring that supports the pendulum as you adjust it.

4. Adjust the nut on the bottom of the pendulum, known as the pendulum bob, with your fingers. Turning the lead weight bob to the right causes your clock to run faster. Turn the lead weight bob to the left to slow the clock.

5. Check the clock time after 24 hours against whichever clock source you chose to use. Adjust the bob again to speed up or slow down the clock if necessary.

References

• Environmental Engineers' Handbook: David H. F. Liu, et al.

Resources

• United States Naval Observatory: U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock Time