How to Wind a Chain-Driven Grandfather Clock

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Grandfather clocks require winding once a week.

Grandfather clocks add a certain warmth to a home that few other pieces can match. Chain-driven grandfather clocks have three chains, with a weight on one end of each chain. Each chain is responsible for a particular function of the clock. One is for time, another is for the hour chime, and the final one is for the quarter chime. It is necessary to wind these clocks once a week to ensure that they continue running and keeping time. Winding a chain-driven grandfather clock is a simple process once you know which chain operates the time mechanism.

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Step 1

Open the front door of your grandfather clock. This gives you access to the chains and weights. Find the heaviest of the three weights. The heaviest weight is the largest of the three, and it is on the chain that winds the time mechanism.

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Step 2

Grasp the center of the train end of the time chain. The train end is the one without the weight. Place two fingers over the top side of the weight on the chain. Do not hold the weight or support it. Your fingers are there merely to guide the weight.

Step 3

Pull the train end of the chain down slowly. This pulls the weight up and winds the chain-driven grandfather clock. Continue pulling the chain down until the top of the weight is 1 inch below the bottom of the clock face board.

Step 4

Wind the remaining two chains in exactly the same way as the first. Close the grandfather clock door once you wind all three chains.

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