Pendulum assembly of "Foreign" mantel clock

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:46 pm     Post subject: Pendulum assembly of "Foreign" mantel clock

Just got my mothers old clock. It looks obvious but I cant figure out how to correctly hook together the 2 pieces of the pendulum to the clock 'innards'. The weight drags on the bottom of the clock. Is there a diagram somewhere?
Thanks - p

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:30 pm     Post subject:

If you can post a picture on a free photo site and supply the link within this post, we could see what pieces you refer to.

In many cases (with current movements), the pendulum assembly would be as follows:

A post extends from the backside of the movement (at or near the top). This is typically where the suspension spring is located (secured to the post with a screw). The suspension spring looks like two metal plates which are attached together by two thin, flexible metal strips. The pendulum leader will hang from the lower plate of the suspension spring (which has two pins to hang the leader over). At some point, extending down the pendulum leader, the crutch arm will feed through the leader. The cructh arm is the arm that extends out the backside of the movement (about half way down or less from the suspension spring post). At the bottom of the leader, the pendulum typically hangs. The leader can be the trickiest part to get on (as it must be fed into the crutch arm while hanging from the suspension spring). In some cases, the leader must be fed into the crutch arm (and turned as doing so), and then lifted and hung over the pins of the suspension spring. The pendulum will simply hang from the leader.

While this is typical of many current day movements, be advised that it may not apply to your clock movement. This is where a photo or two would come in extremely handy.

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:04 pm     Post subject: Assembly

Thanks. I'm working on the picture. I don't see a spring but I do see a bunch of interlocking cogged wheels

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:34 pm     Post subject: Clock ctd

Super directions, got it hooked up.
But w/o the weight its going to and fro like crazy.
With the weight, pendulum grinds to a halt.
Does this mean the spring is shot?

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:08 pm     Post subject:

The pendulum will usually swing rapidly when the weights are not attached. If the pendulum is stopping once the weights are attached, then you could check into the following:

1.) Make certain the movement/clock case are level. Most importantly, the movement. It should be level front to back, and side to side. If this is a grandfather/grandmother style clock, there should be adjustable legs underneath the base assembly to even things out.
2.) Check the suspension spring. Make certain that the thin metal bands which connect each suspension spring plate are not broken (if applicable to your movement suspension spring).
3.) Perform beat adjustment. It could be that when mounting the pendulum and leader, the crutch arm was thrown out of beat. The crutch arm (the arm that extends out of the backside of the movement and through the pendulum leader) should temporarily be removed from the leader. Swing the crutch arm from center to left (until you feel slight resistance). Next swing the crutch from center to right (again, until you feel slight resistance). The crutch are should swing an equal distance from center to left and from center to right. If uneven, push through the slight resistance on the side with the shorter swing. Make certain the swing is equal, then re-attach the pendulum leader to the crutch arm.

Note that this method is pretty standard for many modern day movements. Some modern day movements even have an automatic beat adjustment (which is completed by over-swinging the pendulum). The movement will actually self-correct the beat itself.

A final note: Cleaning and oiling the movement are most important to ensure the movement operates properly for years to come. If you have tried all of the above and still encounter problems, consider having the movement serviced (cleaning/oiling) by a qualified repair person. They should also be able to tell you if there are any parts in need of replacement due to wear and tear.