pendulum weight

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 5:58 am     Post subject: pendulum weight

I was wondering what the tipical weight of a pendulum is. I know the time of the swing only depends on the length, but can you wear out parts of the movement if the pendulum weighs too much? Is there a weight that would work in any clock?

Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 9:43 pm     Post subject:

no such thing as a 'typical' weight because of the difference in types of clock.

if you said 'typical grandfather' or' mantle'clock' then the reference is more accurate but would would still be a bit vague because of the size of the case.

makers design clocks so the pendulum looks right for the clock case in mind.

technically, the pendulum weight and length is then designed around that.

antique clocks have generally heavier bobs on the pendulum because the design was a bit more crude and a bit more power was needed to make the pendulum swing. the weight may have been about 3lbs.
in new longcase clocks the weight is more like 8ozs. (approx).

is the clock a deadbeat or does it have a recoil escapement?

you can't really wear out parts any more than usual unless it hangs on a pivoted part directly - most don't. the clock will just stop. if it doesn't stop then you may do damage to the escape wheel teeth depending which clock you have.