How to Repair a Grandfather Clock

Grandfather clock and alike classic items are a great addition to any home or office. It provides special grace and grandeur to the room. Commonly known as tall-case clock or longcase clock, the origin of this unique time clock dates back to 1670, by William Clement, an English clockmaker. Nevertheless, the name grandfather clock was given much later in the 19th century. According to the height of the clocks, different names are used to designate them. For example; a granddaughter clock is less than 5 feet tall, while a tall clock of more than 5 feet is called grandmother clock. The tallest of them is the grandfather clock, measuring more than 6 feet in height.

The unique feature of grandfather clock is the pendulum that is attached below the clock face, but inside the body tower. Needless to say, pendulum is quite heavy, which is why the clock body is made long enough for supporting its weight. The frame of the clock is made up of wooden material, carved with decorations and markings. Majority of the grandfather clock models are configured with a sound system to signify time after every hour or fractions of hours (say half an hour). As with any timepiece, malfunctions do develop with this clock model. In such cases, indulging in grandfather clock repair on your own will save both time and money.

How to Repair a Grandfather Clock?

Before you try your hands on repairing a grandfather clock, go through the user manual provided to you. Based on working mechanism, there are two types, viz. 30 hour movement and eight-day movement. The former unit is cheaper and requires daily winding to make it function properly; whereas the latter eight-day movement type is more expensive and needs winding once in a week. If you have an antique model (more than 50 years old), it may be difficult to repair on your own. Following are some do-it-yourself (DIY) tips for grandfather clock repair:

Problem # 1: Fluctuating Time
So, at times your grandfather clock shows correct timing and sometimes not. If such is the case, adjust the level you place it. A slight inclination in the balance may cause fluctuation in the timings of the grandfather clock. Try several level positions and check whether the pendulums are swinging in a proper manner or not.

Problem # 2: Incorrect Time
The most common complaint with grandfather clock is indication of wrong timing. This is probably caused due to misalignment of the weight. Check the markings (left or right) in the weights and alter according to the mentioned side. Once installed in the correct position, your grandfather clock will show right timings.

Problem # 3: Slow or Fast Time
It is not unusual for a grandfather clock unit to run very slow or very fast. In most cases, the underlying cause for this problem is the bob of the pendulum. Expose the pendulum and manually swing the bob up and down. If it is too tight, loosen it slightly (not too much) with the help of a screwdriver.

Problem # 4: Pendulum Not Swinging
For grandfather clock malfunction wherein the pendulum is not swinging, the causal factor is interlocking hands of the clock. Open the face glass and examine the hands in the clock's face; you can consider separating them from one another. Then, adjust the alignment of the weights for trouble-free working of your grandfather clock.

Try these tips for repairing a grandfather clock and hopefully, you do not have to visit a professional clock repairing center. For any replacement, you can purchase grandfather clock repair parts from supplier companies. Understand the model carefully along with the grandfather clock parts and components. That way, you can open the clock with confidence. Last but not the last, oil application and regular maintenance should be followed to ensure the longevity of this classic clock. In case, you face problems in troubleshooting the malfunctions, it is better to hire a watchmaker.