HELP - Clock won't work

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:34 pm     Post subject: HELP - Clock won't work

I just purchased my first grandfather clock. I bought it from a friend and it was working in her living room, but since I've moved it, I can't get the pendulum to start again. It's an antique, walnut, bonnet top clock with a Westminster key-wound mechanical movement. I've wound the movement, leveled the clock from all sides, tried to unlevel the clock, hoping that slightly adjusting one side at a time with shims would get it to start. I read somewhere that they don't like to be moved. There are no clock repair shops in my area, so I'm looking for help on-line. Anyone have any suggestions. I can post pictures if it will help.

Thanks!!

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:29 pm     Post subject: Clock won't work

I have said it many times...pictures are helpful in identification and can sometimes help in diagnosing problems.
Many times clocks not only have to be levelled from side to side, but front to back too.
It is also possible that the clock was knocked out of beat when it was moved. Usually this happens by not removing the pendulum bob first.
Once you have established that the case is level, try starting the pendulum and listen to the tick. Do you hear an even tick tock sound? Do you hear it ticking at all? If there is no ticking sound then the movement has probably been knocked out of beat. Try moving the pendulum rod by hand from side to side. At some point in either direction you will feel some resistance. With a little effort it can be moved beyond that point. You will have to determine in which direction it has to be moved to bring the clock back into beat. This is done via trial and error, listening for the ticking sound each time. The pendulum rod should be moved gently in small increments at a time in one direction or the other until an even beat has been set.

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:51 pm     Post subject: Clock won't work

Re-reading my previous reply, I should have mentioned that there could be other reasons why the clock won't run.
Not having the clock on hand makes it difficult to properly diagnose your problem. However, seeing one or more clear photos of the movement might help.

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:53 pm     Post subject: Clock won't work

Here's a link to some photos of the movement:

http://picasaweb.google.com/kstrd1/ClockMovement?authkey=dcXbZLOd510

Thanks for taking a look at them. Just in case the numbers are a little hard to read, it's stamped Brevete S.G.D.G., 262935

I also discovered today that I'm missing a part; the part that allows the pendulum to hang from the movement. Until now, I haven't worried about attaching the pendulum to the movement, I was just trying to get the movement to work. I'm completely lost as I obviously have no experience with clocks at all!

I did some searching on the internet to try and find the missing part, but I can't even find any information on the movement itself.

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:42 am     Post subject: Re: Clock won't work

"Brevete" is actually a French registration mark, not necessarily a manufacturer's name.
It appears that the pendulum suspension spring is the part that you need for your clock. A photo of the pendulum would have helped to determine if a pendulum hook and/or leader might also be required to complete your repair. Replacement suspension springs are available from clock supply houses. However, the spring was usually "pinned" in place so you will probably require that as well. For that matter complete pendulums for antique and vintage French clock movements should also be available if required.