New Clock Set Up

Owners Manual and Instructions:

Introduction: Congratulations on your purchase of this quality clock movement. This precision instrument, when cared for properly, will deliver years of dependable service. Please read these instructions carefully, prior to unpacking your movement and installing it into your clock case. This owners manual and instructions will cover important information regarding the proper handling, installation and care of your clock movement and its components. This will include:


Unpacking the movement

Inspect the shipping carton for signs of damage that could have occurred in shipping. Carefully remove the movement and accessories. Using the parts list and illustrations as a guide, check to see that all items have been included.

Should you find any damaged or missing parts, please contact us immediately for a prompt replacement. Be sure to have the movement number as well as the stack number and description of the damaged / missing item.

We strongly recommend that you wear soft cotton or rubber gloves when handling the lead weight fillings. lead can be toxic and should be handled with caution. Make sure if you touch and lead item that you wash your hands thoroughly before eating. Lead however, cannot be absorbed through the skin. Also, use gloves when handling the movement and any other brass components. The Natural oils on your skin can, over time, tarnish these items. If you happen to touch any of the brass components, simply wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth. It is always best to handle the movement by the corner pillars rather than the movements front or back plates. Be very careful not to touch the internal components of the movement as these precision parts are delicate and can easily be damaged.

Top of Page


Tools you will need to install the movement

Very few tools are needed to install the clock movement into your clock case. However, you will want to have the following items handy:
A. Slotted screwdriver
B. 6" Spirit (bubble) Level
C. Soft cotton or rubber gloves
D. Tape measure
E. A small amount of petroleum jelly

Top of Page


Choosing a location for your clock

1. You will want to avoid placing the clock cabinet in direct sunlight as ultraviolet rays will tend to tighten or bleach the cabinet.
2. It is also recommended that the clock not be placed near heating or air conditioning vents. Dramatic temperature changes will effect time keeping regulation.
3. It is strongly recommended that the clock not be placed near a fireplace. If placed near a fireplace or vent, the movement is subject to a higher concentration of airborne particles and will need to be cleaned and lubricated more frequently than typically recommended.
4. Chime volume will be effected by the placement of the clock case. A grandfather clock placed on a wood floor will be louder than on placed on a carpeted floor, for example.
5. Avoid placing the clock in high traffic areas. Especially if children are present. If children are present, it is strongly recommended that the top of the clock case be permanently attached to the wall. This will eliminate the possibility of the clock being tipped over.

Top of Page


Moving the clock to its permanent location

At this point it is best to move the clock case / cabinet to its permanent location. Next, level the clock. You may want to use a spirit (bubble) level to make sure that the clock case (and movement) are perfectly level. Make sure that the clock case is "sight" level as viewed from the front and side. If your clock is on carpet, you will need to complete this procedure after the clock case has "settled" into the carpet.

Top of Page


Assembling the weights and shells

Install the weights into the shells. The eyelet should be placed on the top end of the heaviest weight. Also , remember to wear gloves when handling the brass weight shells. Be sure to wash you hands thoroughly if you touch the lead weight fillings. Although the risk is minimal when assembling the weights, lead can be harmful to you if it is ingested. It cannot however, be absorbed through the skin. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before eating if you touch the lead weight fillings.

Top of Page


Hanging the pendulum

After the clock case is level, hang the pendulum as shown. If an additional suspension spring is included with your pendulum (in the pendulum box), remove the suspension spring on the movement and install the spring that was included with the pendulum. Your pendulum leader and crutch arm assembly may differ slightly. Finally, you will notice a clear, protective plastic covering over the pendulum bob. Starting from the bottom edge of the pendulum bob, peel off this protective covering. Again, wear gloves when handling the pendulum.

Top of Page


Hanging the weight assemblies.

First, hook the loose end of each cable into the slot provided in the underside of the clock movement. be sure that these are installed correctly. This is extremely important. I the cable ends are not seated properly in each slot, the entire weight assembly can fall to the floor. This can cause damage to the weight shell and movement or serious harm to you should you foot be in its path. Hang the weights. Again, remember to wear gloves when hanging the weights. As you face the movement, the heaviest weight should be installed on the right hand cable. This weight is the weight that powers the 4/4 chime gear train. The center weight is powering the time keeping gear train, and left hand weight is for powering the hour strike gear train.

Top of Page


Winding and starting the clock movement

Your clock movement is designed to run continuously for eight days. It is recommended however, that the clock be wound weekly. Try to choose a time each week that is easily remembered, perhaps every Sunday evening. the weights within the clock case are what power the clock movement. The center weight is for powering the time keeping gear train with in the movement, the left weight powers the hour strike and the right hand weight (heavy weight) powers the 4/4 chimes. to wind the clock, simply insert the winding crank provided into tone of the holes in the dials face. Rotate the crank counter clockwise. this will raise each weight. Each weight can be raised to any height desired but it is recommended that each be wound fully. you will notice a definite stopping point when the weights are fully wound.

To start the clock, gently move the pendulum to one side of the case and release it. Listen to the tick tock sound that the clock makes, The movement has an internal feature that will automatically adjust the "Beat" of the clock movement. This automatic "Beat" adjustment feature can only work if the case is wide enough to overswing the pendulum. A clock movement that is not in "Beat" can run any where from a few minutes to several hours, then quit.

A clock that is "In Beat" will have a constant and even: Tick... tock... tick.. tock... tick... tock

A clock that is "Out of Beat" will have a uneven: Tick,tock.. tick,tock... tick,tock

Keep in mind that what determines if a clock is in "Beat" is the interval "between" the two sounds, Remember, a clock movement that is slightly out of "Beat" may actually run for a while but then stop. A clock movement that is extremely out of "Beat" may not make any tick tock sound and not run at all.

Top of Page


Adjusting the beat

Adjusting the "Beat" is probably the most difficult process in installing your clock movement. Please, have patience and follow the instructions carefully. You will be successful. To adjust the "Beat" First, remove the pendulum from the leader. Gently move the the crutch arm and leader from the left to the right. The pendulum leader must be free to slide within the slot in the crutch arm. A small dab of petroleum jelly where they come in contact with each other is a factory recommendation. When moving the crutch and leader to one side, they will move freely for a distance, then a resistance will be felt. Continued pressure will "slip" the crutch arm. This "slip" is what changes the "Beat" or tick tock sound that the clock makes. Only a slight "slip" is required to dramatically change the "Beat". The distance of "free play" from the center of the movement to the right should be the same as the distance from the center to the left. Having completed the above, the clock movement should be very close to being in perfect beat.

Next, hand the pendulum back on the clock movement. Gently swing the pendulum. Again, listen to the Tick-Tock sound. If may be necessary to make several "slip" adjustments as described above to get the movement into beat. Again, when making adjustments, only a slight amount of "slip" is required to change the beat. Also, if after making an adjustment, the beat is worse than before, the "slip" adjustment will need to be made in the opposite direction as before. Remember, this is a trial and error process so have patience. you will be successful!

Top of Page


Adjusting for time keeping accuracy

Before attempting to regulate the clock movement for time keeping, please allow it to run approximately 24 hours. Letting the clock run for an extended period will allow you to determine if the clock is running fast or slow. If an adjustment to the time regulation is necessary, first locate the rating nut located at the bottom of the pendulum. Turning this nut raises or lowers the entire pendulum bob. If your clock is running fast, turn the rating nut in a counter clockwise direction. This will lower the pendulum bob. If the clock is running slow, turn the nut clock wise. This will raise the pendulum bob, and speed up the clock movement. Just remember, "Lower is Slower". Also, make sure that the pendulum bob is moving up or down as you made adjustments. You may wish to mark the back of the pendulum rod to ensure that the bob is actually moving.

Top of Page


Troubleshooting Guide

Problems:
1. Clock will not run
2. Clock runs for a while then stops
3. Clock does not keep the correct time
4. Hour strike strikes incorrectly

1. Clock will not run
A. Make sure the the clock case is level both front to back and right to left.
B. Make sure that the center cable is on its drum and that the cable is not twisted.
C. Check to see if the suspension spring is broken.
D. Check to see that the leader is correctly positioned on the crutch arm.
E. Check the beat adjustment as described in assembly step 18.

2. Clock runs for a while and stops
A. Check all the items listed above in #1.
B. Be sure that the minute or hour hands are not hitting the door glass.
C. Made sure that the hour hand is pressed its shaft firmly. There should be a space between the minute hand and the hour hand. If they rub together, they will stop the movement.
D. Also make sure that the hour hand is not hitting the dial or its numerals.
E. Make sure that the pendulum does not rub against the chime rod assembly or the movement seat board.
F. If a pendulum clock runs for a period of time and then stops, if may be due to oscillation of the clock cabinet. Secure the top of the clock to the wall.
G. Check the beat adjustment as described is assembly step 18.

3. The clock does not keep the correct time
A. Check assembly step nineteen.
B. If your clock is several hours off in a twenty four hour period, you may have purchased the wrong pendulum for your movement. Pendulums are specifically calibrated for each type or style of movement. If you attempt to use a pendulum calibrated for a different movement, you will not be unable to adjust the pendulum rating nut enough to correct for time keeping. Check the information given in the catalog.

4. Hour strikes does not operate correctly A. If you notice that the clock is continually striking the wrong number of times at the hour, the correction is simple. Wait until the clock strikes an hour. Count the number of times the clock strikes. If the hour hand is pointing at a different hour than the hour just struck, simply move the hour hand (without moving the minute hand) to the hour just stuck. It is not necessary to remove the minute hand to adjust the hour hand.

Top of Page


Cabinet maintenance

Your clock case will require little maintenance. There are a few things you can do however to help keep the cabinet beautiful.
A. Wax the cabinet with a paste wax (after sufficient drying time).
B. Keep the cabinet dusted. It is recommended that you use a non build up dusting spray and a lint free cloth. Don't forget to dust the top of the cabinet and behind it also.
C. Keep the glass clean using a quality non streaking glass cleaner.
D. Do not use dusting spray on the brass dial, pendulum or weight shells. Simply use a soft, dry, lint free cloth to keep these items clean.

Top of Page


Movement Maintenance

Your clock is a precision instrument and will deliver years of dependable service. When cared for properly, it can last for a lifetime. Like any mechanical instrument, it will require periodic maintenance to keep it in its optimum operating condition. Clock movements which are not properly maintained for the conditions in which they are used will require costly repairs. your clock movement has been pre oiled at the factory. The manufacturer recommends that the movement be oiled annually and cleaned and oiled every three to five years. The frequency of cleaning will be dependent on the environment in which the clock is placed. Movements that are subject to dusty or salty conditions will require cleaning and oiling more frequently. Clockworks.com has several quality repair and maintenance books available if you wish to clean and oil your own clock movement. If not, we recommended that you located a qualified clock repair and cleaning person in your area to complete movement cleaning and oiling. Check your local yellow pages under clock repair. Many clock shops and jewelry stores repair clock movements and will clean and oil clock movements.

Top of Page


Oiling your clock movement

Again, the manufacturer of your clock movement recommends that the movement be oiled annually. You can complete movement oiling yourself. First, purchase a quality clock oil. never use a spray lubricant or sewing machine oil for your clock movement. This will actually do more harm than good.

To oil your clock movement, first remove the movement from the clock case. Next, remove the dial from the movement. Observe the movement. You will see that it is comprised of two brass plates with gearing between. The point at which the gears arbors some in contact with the movements brass plates are called pivot holes. These pivot holes are one of the locations on the movement that require lubrication. Obviously, both sides of the movement (pivot holes) will require oiling but it is recommended to complete one side of the movement at a time. Using a logical sequence, move across the movement to ensure that all pivot holes are oiled and none are missed. Deposit a small amount of oil on each of these points (pivot holes) using the needle oiler. The oil should fill the shallow "cup" at the end of each pivot hole. It should NOT however, run down the movement when the movement is oriented as it would be in its cabinet. If this should happen, wipe the excessive oil and reapply oil to the pivot hole. If oil runs from the pivot hole down the movement, it will pull the remaining oil from the pivot hole, leaving a dry pivot. If left in this condition the pivot will experience excessive wear.

Next, while observing the movement, note the locations where shafts (arbors) protrude completely though the movement. These are also points that require oiling. Oil these areas as described above. Before installing the movement back into the clock case, check to make sure that every bearing surface has been lubricated. Some locations can only be oiled from the inside of the movement as they are concealed by external gearing, cams, levers etc. Finally, apply a dab of petroleum jelly to the crutch slot, the hammer lifting cams and lifting levers on the front and back of the movement. your movement is now ready to be installed back into your clock case.

Top of Page


Transporting your clock

As with any fine piece of furniture, care should be given when transporting your clock from one location to another. When moving the clock to a different location within your home, it is recommended that you complete the following steps. Remember to wear gloves when handling the brass weights and pendulum.
A. Stop the pendulum from swinging
B. Remove the weights
C. Remove the pendulum
The clock can now be moved in an upright position to its new location. Do not lay the clock case on its back. Once the clock is in its new location, simply reverse the above steps. A. Hang the pendulum
B. Hang the weights
C. Gently swing the pendulum to start the clock
D. If you encounter problems keeping the clock running, see assembly step 18, Adjusting the beat.
It is recommended that you contact a qualified clocksmith or moving company if y you are transporting your clock a great distance. If using a moving company, ask if they have had experience moving floor clocks. Preparing the clock movement case correctly will increase the likelihood of the clock being undamaged upon arrival to its new location. If you need assistance in preparing your clock movement case for transport, please feel free to contact one of our technicians here at Clockworks.com

Top of Page