Winding an antique clock

rbbadger

I recently bought an antique wall clock for my Mum. It has two holes on the face to wind it. It was working and chiming correctly when I bought it. She has taken a while to get it hung on the wall and now I can't wind it. I don't want to put any pressue on the key. I'm also not sure that I have hung the pendulum correctly as the hook on the top can be rotated. All advice appreciated.

anotherbaldrick

The main problem with a pendulum clock is getting it set up right . it needs to be aligned vertically so that the tick and the tock are the same length in beat . You have to do this by ear , put your ear against the clock and listen tick

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tock

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tick, not tick-tock

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tick, or tick

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tock-tick. swing the clock on its fixing a little from side to side until it sounds even. When you have got the beat even mark the position of the case corner with a small pencil mark on the wall and check it is still in same position after each winding . you will find the pendulum slots into a hook at the top, ensure it is sitting properly. there is often a scew on the bottom of the pendulum to adjust the timekeeping.

rbbadger

Thanks. That sounds very complicated. I need to overcome the probalem of being unable to wind it first.

anotherbaldrick

rbbadger wrote: »

Thanks. That sounds very complicated. I need to overcome the probalem of being unable to wind it first.

You probably can't wind it because it is already fully wound . It is not complicated to adjust the movement when you start to listen to the movement as you you gently tilt the clock case and you get an even "beat" it will suddenly sound right.

rbbadger

Thanks very much for this. I'll give it a go.

rbbadger

Thanks once again. The clock is ticking away well now.