How to Repair a Grandfather Clock

Repairing a grandfather clock is typically left to professional clock and watchmakers due to the intricacies of the mechanisms within the timepiece. Grandfather clocks more than 50 years old are considered antique and may have different rules for repair compared to their modern counterparts. A skilled watch and clock repair facility can diagnose most grandfather clock issues, yet there are some repairs an owner can undertake.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver

1. Check the weight of the grandfather clock. The time can be altered or incorrect if the weights are misaligned. Each weight has a marking on the bottom to indicate right or left weight. There may even be a weight marked center. Place each weight on the proper side for the clock to run smoothly or at all.

2. Free up the hands on the grandfather clock's face. If the pendulum is not swinging, the hands of the clock may have locked together. Gently open the face glass and move the hands away from one another. Ensure that the weights have been pulled up.

3. Move the pendulum bob up the pendulum shaft if the grandfather clock runs too slowly or reverse the process if it is running too quickly. Use a small screwdriver to free the bob.

4. Repair the moon dial if the sequence is incorrect. Determine exactly what phase the moon is currently in. Open the face glass of the grandfather clock, press lightly against the moon dial and rotate gently towards the current moon phase.

5. Level the grandfather clock. A grandfather clock that sits even slightly off level may eventually stop keeping the correct time. Ensure that the pendulum swings properly at the best level position.

Tips & Warnings

• Closely listen to the ticking of the grandfather clock. Listen for a more balanced ticking sound if a perfectly level surface can't be found.
• Don't move the grandfather clock often. This process may affect the balance of the pendulum and affect the clock's performance.
• Never move the grandfather clock alone. Have an assistant help.

Resources

• Here is a wonderful grandfather clock repair website.
• Find a wealth of clock repair tips here.

[winsh]

on 4/11/2009 Could you give us a diagram with the parts of the clock? Ours isn't striking and I saw on another site what we might try to do but we don't know the parts ourselves. I hear what you're saying about using a professional but we have been doing that for years and spent thousands of dollars and so need to do some of this for ourselves now... Our clock is about 300 years old, was rescued by a British soldier from Capurnium and has brought much joy to our family here in Jamaica. I LOVE this clock as I would a person and so I want it to be perfect.