Elgin Cuckoo Clock Instructions
The Elgin National Watch Company was an Illinois-based timepiece manufacturing company that was founded in the 1870s. Elgin started out producing fine pocket watches and wristwatches but eventually expanded its catalog to include wall, mantle and cuckoo clocks. Though the Elgin National Watch Company has been defunct since the 1960s, it's not unusual to come across its clocks in antique stores. Learning how to set up and use an Elgin cuckoo clock takes just minutes. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Cover a flat work surface with a soft towel to protect the cuckoo clock from getting scuffed or scratched during the setup process. Lay the clock facedown so that you can access the rear panel.
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2
Push aside the tabs that hold the rear panel to the back of the clock. Set the removed panel to the side. Remove the metal clips from the two bellows located at the top of the exposed compartment. Replace the rear cuckoo clock panel.
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3
Hang the cuckoo clock on a heavy nail that is slightly tilted toward the ceiling. Position the cuckoo clock approximately six feet above the floor to ensure that it gets the maximum use out of each wind. Make sure that the back of the clock is flush against the wall.
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Hang the pendulum on the metal rod that extends from the bottom of the cuckoo clock. Hang the weights on the hooks located to the left and right of the pendulum rod.
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5
Rotate the minute hand clockwise until both the hour and minute hands indicate the desired time. Pause at the hour and half hour to allow the cuckoo call to sound.
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Grab the cuckoo clock pendulum and pull it to the left as far as it will go. Release the pendulum to start the clock movement.
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Wind Elgin cuckoo clocks once a week or whenever the weights have fully descended. Grasp the chains that correspond to the weights and slowly pull them down until the weights have risen to the bottom of the clock case.
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Tips & Warnings
The timekeeping for an Elgin cuckoo clock is regulated by the guide on the pendulum. Slide the pendulum guide down if the clock is running too fast or up if it is running too slow.
Do not turn the cuckoo clock upside down once the pendulum and weights have been installed.
Yanking or jerking the chains while winding the clock may break the chains or permanently damage the movement.
References
- Jazz Age: People and Perspectives; Mitchell Newton-Matza
- Clock MD: Cuckoo Clock Instructions
- Brunings: Clock Instructions
- Big Ben Clock Gallery: Cuckoo Clock Setup Instructions
