Grand father clock disaster!

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:42 am     Post subject: Grand father clock disaster!

Hi there

This is my first post so thanks to the hosts!

I have purchased a 19th century grandfather sight unseen. Anyway, you can only guess how its panned out. Its Oak, the face has the usual painted scene in the corners. No markings on the mechanism other than a service note in pencil from 1903.

I have no idea where to start... Is there someone on this forum that could possibly assist? It is missing a weight and a pendulum. The case is rough.

I've taken some photos but our office network is blocked from using photobucket so i will need to the email them.




Any assitance would be greatly appreciated.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:06 am     Post subject:

You will need to take it to a clock restorer to get a pendulum made, and the proper weight. Sounds as if it will need a cleaning, and oiling as well.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:54 pm     Post subject: Clock

Is it possible to calculate the weight and pendulum size?

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:10 pm     Post subject:

In my limited experience, I have found that there is no real industry standard for weights and pendulums. For example: The backside of a Hermle unit will designate a 114 cm pendulum. The backside of a Keininger unit will designate a 116 cm pendulum. Weight fills are pretty much different for any given movement. The point is that weight fills and pendulums will probably vary per movement (as well as per manufacturer). Perhaps there is a way to calculate this information, but I could not begin to tell you how. A qualified clock repair person is probably your best bet as a starting point...

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:39 pm     Post subject: Re: Clock



Here is a formula to calculate the theoretical pendulum length.

http://www.abbeyclock.com/Pendulum.html

The weight you could attach a can filled with stones, and gradually add stones until the clock runs eight days, or 1 day. Weigh the can, and that is the weight you need to buy. Most likely the clock repairer will know right away by looking at the clock movement.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:06 pm     Post subject: Same?

Thanks for the info. By Chance, the second weight wouldn't happen to be the same weight as the one that i already have would it (identical)?
Thanks

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:27 pm     Post subject:

Hi Rolls,

you mention two weights, (one missing) just to check, does your clock have two winding holes in the dial? (in other words an 8 day clock)

I ask in case it is a 30 hour clock, in which case it only has one weight - - -

Grandfather clock weights vary from 7lbs weight to 14 lbs, or much heavier in a musical clock or a month or year clock.

Most ordinary 8 day clocks have weights of 12 to 14lbs, both weights being the same.

You could buy a second-hand pendulum on the internet, or make a new one by buying a new suspension block, rod, and bob from a clockmakers supplies house.

The length is usually 39.7 inches from the top of the suspension to the centre of the bob. Sometimes you need to adjust this length by a small amount either way when the clock is running, depending on the clock's timekeeping. Using the threaded rod and nut at the bottom of the pendulum,raise the bob a fraction if the clock is running slow, or lower it if the clock is running fast.

The weight of the pendulum bob is not critical on a standard clock, anything from 1lb to 3lb should do the job, if you buy a new or second hand bob it's weight will be suitable as supplied, it is just the length that is important.

Hope this helps,
Andrew.
http://www.clockmakersandrepairs.co.uk[/url]

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:52 pm     Post subject: Bushings

Hi
I'm pretty sure ts a 30hour clock so one weight I guess!

I'm going to try to rebush the mechanism... Is this a particularly hard thing to do? Looks straight forward. Just concerned about getting it set perfectly...
Cheers

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:18 pm     Post subject:

not an easy thing to do, as you need to get the proper bushing, and then drill the holes in the front, and back plate so they are parallel, then fit the bushing.

They make expensive tools for this job

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:32 pm     Post subject: Re: Same?



If its a time/strike clock then the weights would be the same. If its a 3 weight chime clock, the chime weight is heavier.

While you can get the tools and supplies for bushings this is NOT a task left to newbies. Please find someone to do that job who knows how to do it right.

-Pete