Clock Pendulum Leader Information
Clock Pendulum Leaders
Mechanical pendulum clock leaders for post 1950 movements. These leader will fit clock movements made in Germany after WW2.
The first step to replace a lost leader is to visually match one to the old leader.
If the leader does not match up to any of the ones listed, please email us. A picture is always helpful. Look to see if the leader needs a double hook or a hole top in order for it to mount to the suspension spring. Similarly, check the other end and notice that configuration as well.
What is the required mount style for the pendulum to hang on the clock? In the middle section, what one will engage with the swinging crutch on the back of the movement? These are all important factors to consider when replacing the leader.
The length of the leader
If the leader is missing, however, there are some more steps to figure out what the leader length should be. Not all leaders have variable lengths and the ones that do are for Hermle and Kieninger clock movements only.
Kieninger is easy. Those leaders only come in two lengths. Grandfather clocks by Kieninger take the 7 inch leader. Wall and mantle units take the shorter leader.
Hermle leaders are much more in depth. Determining which leader is the correct length for a Hermle is a process. The next section will describe the ones available.
Hermle leader lengths
A Hermle floor or wall clock will always take leader D or G. leader E is for a low bridge to a high bridge conversion on a Hermle grandmother clock. Therefore, the elimination of this from the list of choices is viable if a conversion is not being done.
The next choice is leader F which is for mantle clocks. This one is also for creating custom pendulum lengths. Additionally, leader F and leader G are interchangeable.
So if you need leader G, a leader F can take its place with an alternate length. Please email us with any questions about Hermle leaders.
Leader F for Hermle mantle
Usually mantle clocks with a Hermle clock movement will take leader F. In a situation where the leader is missing and the length is unknown, the following steps need to be taken.
This will ensure that the correct leader length is chosen. First, use the CM number off of the back of the movement. This CM length is the pendulum length from the top of the movement all the way down to the bottom of the pendulum.
It is not the length of the pendulum itself. Often times this measurement can be confusing. It is important to measure this correctly. Failure to do so will result in the clock not keeping proper time.
Second step, is to take this CM length and divide it by 2.54 to get the inch equivalent. Then subtract the length of the pendulum and the suspension spring length from this measurement. The measurement that is left is the length you need for leader F.
There are 1 1/2 inches of thread at the bottom of the pendulum for fine adjustment. Because there is so much room for adjustment, this measurement does not have to be exact. If there wasn't any extra length then it would need to be more precise. However this is not the case so close is good enough.
If the leader is the wrong length
Determine the timing of a clock by the length of the pendulum and the weight of the pendulum bob. This can get a bit confusing for some people. There is a stamp of the overall pendulum length on the back plate of the clock movement with a CM number.
This CM stamp is the overall pendulum length from the top of the clock movement all the way down to the bottom of the rating nut. The basis for this is on the smallest bob diameter.
Subsequently, a wider pendulum bob will require a longer pendulum. Again, this can get a bit tricky. Please feel free to send an email with any questions. We will be glad to help.
Often enough a clock will either run too fast or too slow. If the pendulum is too long, the clock will run slow. On the other hand, if the pendulum is too short the clock will run too fast.
In addition, the wrong leader length will also create problems with accuracy. You may or may not be able to correct this by raising the bob up or down. This is done by turning the rating nut below the bob.
If all else fails, a different leader length may need to be bought. Before shortening a pendulum it would be best to contact us to see if this is the best option. Cutting the pendulum is the last resort.
In Conclusion
As seen, this is not a cut and dry procedure. There are many factors that play into getting the correct combination so the clock will keep correct time. The correct leader is just one part of the whole process.
Sometimes all it takes is a leader that is a bit longer or shorter to correct an issue. There are also times where we have custom made leaders for customers.
Measuring is also important. No matter what situation it is we can surely find a solution. Don't ever hesitate to reach out and ask a question. Pictures are always good to send so we can see what exists now. Email is always the fastest way to contact us.
↑ Back to top
I didn’t it was called a leader, great info!
Hi, I have a Schatz clock and was told the company was out of business for 40 years and my clock has the pendulum and pendulum missing. Is there anywhere I can find the part for it or make a leader?
Hi,
Whatever it is it is required in parts for that clock movement is no longer made or available.
Something custom would be made or modification to that what does exist. Or we would need to match it up to one of our own parts units.
If you would like to send it in for restoration, we could figure it all out here, along with the restoration process.
Are you interested in sending the movement only?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I need to replace the leader for my 1978 ridgeway clock. The pendulum is 42inch.
The model is 203.
Looking for the length of leader for ridgeway grandfather clock.
What are the numbers off of the back plate of the clock movement itself? If it is hard to get to, usually you can stick a cell phone up behind the movement and get a picture of the numbers. Or through the side access panel if there is one.
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
What are the movement numbers off of the back plate on that one?
James
Thank you !
Please see this link to help you find the correct leader: Clock Pendulum Leaders — https://clockworks.crisp.help/en/article/clock-pendulum-leaders-clxxql/
Thank you !
We own an IBM Master Clock that is missing it’s pendulum leader. Is there anywhere that one could be found or made. Thanks.
the middle weight fell off of my jauch 77 when i was winding it and the chain came off also. I had to take the works out to get the chain back on getting it out was very difficult and i probably damaged something because now it will only run 1 or 2 minutes. it will run without the pendulum attached but the outside weights do not drop therefore it does not chime . the clock looks very clean.
HI
That one is 40 years old, it is time to swap it out. For me and you to go into all this and solve these issues is the dead horse scene. Please read about the new conversion from this link https://www.clockworks.com/product/jauch-pl77-clock-movement-kit
James
Thank you !
My father in law has a Jauch 77 movement in a grandmothers clock and the suspension spring one of the flex strips broke.
His son got a new suspension spring that is longer and has only one flex strip now the clock doesn’t run more than a minute or two.
I ordered an A2 suspension spring and will that make it run again properly. I adjusted the beat a couple of times and it still won’t run with the single strip suspension spring.
Its time to swap it out. Its 40-50 years old and only a 30 year movement.
However its no longer made. We have there competitor’s movement that fits well.
Read all about it here = https://www.clockworks.com/clock-movement/jauch-clock-movement.html
and order the Jauch clock conversion kit
James
*All German made Modern Clocks (Post 1950)*
In many cases the complaint with a mechanical clock is that it stopped working after it was moved. This is usually from someone moving the clock without taking the pendulum off and this puts the clock out of beat. Out of beat is a term used in clock repair that basically means the clock is going tock-tick tock-tick instead of tick- tock- tick -tock. It is sometimes corrected by putting a matchbook or small piece of wood under one side of the clock case to make the tick and the tock evenly spaced. This can temporarily correct the problem and the clock runs fine. This method however is not as good as correcting the beat and having the clock run when it is truly straight and level.
This can be achieved on most clocks by pushing the pendulum all the way to one side (doesn’t matter right or left) to go beyond its resistance, and then letting it go. Now listen to see if the tick and the tock are evenly spaced. If it is stick going ticktock ticktock, or even tocktick tocktick then it is not in beat and will stop. Repeat the process above of pulling the pendulum all the way to one side and letting it go. The clock should have a nice, steady, rhythmic tick-tock, tick-tock with equal time lapsing between the tick and the tock and the next tick.
Sometimes when there is not much room to swing the pendulum in the clock case, as there is a big round pendulum bob and the case is not wide, you will need to adjust the beat in a different way. This is also true on some movements that the beat will not automatically set when swinging the pendulum wide. You would adjust the beat by pushing the top of the pendulum left or right as it hangs in its clock case, just hold a lower portion of the pendulum with your left hand as you push the top of the pendulum left or right with your right hand. You will feel the freedom in the pendulum to move left or right, with some resistance at the sides at the end of your left or right travel. You are changing the beat of the clock when you go beyond this resistance and therefore changing the place of the freedom area. Don’t be afraid to move this pendulum top as there is nothing to break as you go left or right.
So this is the way to put *all* modern (Post 1960) floor clocks in beat. By floor clocks, this is clocks that sit on the floor and stand tall like grandmother or grandfather clocks.