Grandfather Clock Weights Stuck
Grandfather Clock Weights Stuck
The Grandfather clock weights can get stuck in the high position if over wound. Some larger clocks have over wind protection to prevent this.
The grandmother and grandfather chain drive units often do not have this feature. When winding the weights up make sure the top of the weight can be seen when done. Never go to the point where the top of the shiny weight cover can't be seen.
Chime weight stuck
The chime weight is on the right as you face the clock and has the heaviest weight. Using cloth gloves, or at least a cloth of some kind, pull down on the weight some.
This is the same as making the weight weigh more. At the same time, turn the minute hand past the quarter hour to see if it will engage the chime. When you advance the time and make it chime, the weight will slowly come down. This will hopefully be enough to activate and run the chime on its own.
Time weight stuck
The time weight is the center weight which can be light or heavy depending on bob size.
This is the hardest weight to deal with out of the three. Try pulling down some while swinging the pendulum.
See if it starts running on its own when letting go. If this does not work, take off the pendulum. All it will have is the pendulum leader hanging on the back of the movement.
This will make it tick tock faster than if the pendulum was on. The leader will tick tock faster as you pull down some on the weight. The weight will then come down enough to run the clock.
If all else fails, and it’s a chain driven clock, you would need to cut the chain in half, or break a link, to take the movement out of the clock. With the movement out of the clock you can fix it.
Strike weight stuck
The strike weight is on the left as you face the clock and has the lightest weight. Only after the chime weight is operating correctly can you work on the strike weight.
If the clock does not run through the chime sequence it will not get to where it strikes out the hours. With some cloth gloves on, or at least a cloth of some kind, pull down on the weight some.
Again, this is the same as making the weight weigh more. Doing this will make the clock strike. Advance the minute hand and let it chime each quarter until it plays the top of the hour song. Then pull a little on the weight when it is going to strike out the hours.
Keep advancing the time with the minute hand, as to make it chime and strike. Then slowly the weight will come down enough to be able to activate and run the strike on its own.
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I am a clock hobbyist trying to help a neighbor with her Howard Miller Grandfather clock. The first thing I noticed is that the pully that holds the weight for the time train (center) was flipped and the weight was hanging from the cable, not the hook on the pully. However, when I got this rearranged correctly, the escapement wheel just moves slightly back and forth with the pendulum swing, but does not advance even one tooth. If I remove the hands and dial so I can access the front of the movement, is there a lever I can release on the front of the movement that allows the click wheel to rotate, thus unwinding the cable so it can be rewound in the event it has somehow become jammed?
Seems maybe the cable got so kinked from the weight it is messing things up. IF the movement is over 20 years old may as well swap it out anyway for the new one.
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
My Howard Miller cable driven right and left weights are stuck. The cables are not wrapped around the drum. I’ve tried pulling down on the right weight and turning the minute hand. No help. Chimes are not operating and they are turned on. Any advice?
Please run it without the hands and the clock dial for testing the chime. It will narrow things down. Next, put the minute hand on just slightly to turn it to the next chime, and the next, let it strike out the hours fully. If it chimed and striked ok, your all set, put the dial and hands back on. What happened is the rack fell behind the snail (the hour hand tube) and brought it forward some. It brought the hour hand forward to the point that when the minute hand is installed it squashed the hour hand upon tightening the minute hand nut. With the strike squashed between the front plate and the snail, all sorts of weird issues occur. If this was a fail and the clock did not chime through this, continue with the below check points.
Be sure the clock’s silent lever is in the down position. This lever is at 3oclock on the movement. This is chime ON.
The chain cant be rubbing anything in its path like the seat board. Should be ratchet wheel straight to the weight, not rubbing anything.
Is the hammers hitting anything in its path when they move? If the hammers are rubbing the back of the clock case, or if there hitting or rubbing against each other, the clock will hang up and not chime
The heaviest weight on your right as you face the clock? The chime weight is the heaviest weight out of the three and goes in this position.
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a ridgeway centennial. Beautiful clock. When the cimes are on and I have wind the clock, it will stop its movement 15-10 minutes before the hour. If I advance the clock several hours by hand then it will resume normally. If my chimes are off once it begins to function, then it will run as normal with me pulling the function chain about every 3 days. Any Idea about how to get the whole clock working at the same time and winding normally without stoppage?
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
Here are the numbers I found 234244 and UW03018B
10 min before the hour is the warning for the chime train. Also to mention that one has an extreme weight on the chime side, very heavy and creates wear on the chime side faster than the rest usually. Another thing to mention is these are 30 year movements before a restoration or replacement needs to happen, your clock is over 42 years old.
With all this, the clock just needs to be restored or replaced. It makes more sense to replace because it is still made and would be the same price if not less expensive than a restoration by someone who will do it right. No need to wait a year getting it back either, ships today.
That old number 03018 has a new number for the same unit, that is 03102.
Please order the 03102 from this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/03102-urgos-clock-movement
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thank you good to know. Would I be able to replace the clock myself? My clock has a day, date and month with lunar calendar. Will the new 03102 support all those movements?
90% of the time yes. Iam sure you will be fine, if the movement is one of the first to have been made and very old, it maybe an issue with the moon gear fitting up to the new. This rarely happens, and worse thing would be is the moon will no longer spin or date.
All this day / date / weekday are the functions behind the dial and has no interaction with the movement except the moon gear with its set screw. This is the gear that is behind the dial on the same tube as the hour hand.
Anyway it is more of a simple movement swap than most clocks no need to hire anyone, we are here to help and comes with basic instructions
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My Ridgeway Grandfather clock’s two outside weights have been over wound and stuck, it is not a chain but a wire. How do i fix this problem?
First be sure the chimes are on, they wont come down if it does not chime / strike
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
This wasn’t my post, but this just solved my problem! Thanks! 😁
I have an Ethan Allen grandfather clock I just got from my grandparents with zero info other than it’s from 1975. I have been able to take everything a part and oil it however the middle weight does not move. The pendulum continues to swing and the clock continues to operate. Even so, it chimes every quarter hour, although it does not do the quarter hour chimes, it does the hour chimes and chimes the hour it is, all four times. It’s weird to me, are they correlated? Can it be fixed?
IF the pendulum swings non stop, the middle weight is indeed going down, just slowly. Takes 8 days to hit bottom, hence 8 day run time.
Even so, it chimes every quarter hour, although it does not do the quarter hour chimes, it does the hour chimes and chimes the hour it is, all four times.
= not understanding
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
In my grandfather clock the left and right weights are all way to top middle one is at bottom, , how and where to get weight to right position to remove them for transporting?
Is it cable driven or chain
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The time weight is stuck at the top due to winding it to high. I have tried doing the trick where you pull down on the weight and swinging the pendulum but that didn’t work. I then noticed that the cable holding the weight has wrapped itself around the drum and has gotten into the gear and that is what’s jamming it. Is there a way to release that to let it free run? Or is there a way I can get the cable to unhook from the hanging position so I can unwrap it off the spool?
It is not easy to do with the movement in the clock case. Remove the movement, fix the cable, reinstall.
Some help with this at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/mechanical-cable-driven-movement-only-instructions.html
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
How do I oil my grandfather clock? My recently deceased father left it to me & I don’t know how to take care of it,
The general rule is if it spins, oil it. If it slides, grease it. But if you just put the tiniest drop of clock oil where ever one thing rubs another, that is just fine.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Two of the weights ( middle and far right )are stuck at the bottom and chains won’t move. The left side weight moves regular?
Sounds like the chain ends are jammed up in the sprocket maybe or the chain jumped ship off the sprocket half way, please check
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The time weight was quite difficult to wind up compared to the other two weights… is this an indication the time cable spool shaft is siezing or needs lubrication? If yes, can I do this, and if so, how should I lube the shaft, and with what oil?
More likely the cable jumped ship over the barrel. Check the cables to be sure there not crossed or off track. Clock oil is all that is needed.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thank you… seems it also wasn’t quite level, and I needed to set the beat…
I have a Howard Miller grandfather clock that’s about 25 years old. When he last did maintenance in Feb., my clock guy told me my clock needed to be overhauled and I got on his list to perform it. Still waiting for the call, but this morning, the weight on the left as you face the clock, fell to the bottom of the clock on its own and the chain is up inside – I can’t get ahold of the chain to pull it down. Is there anything I can do on my own as I wait for my clock’s overhaul??
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hello James, my clock was working fine then started striking dozens of times even on the 1/4 hour. We checked to make sur the weights were in right order. When the clock is striking numerous times the strike weight is going down accordingly but the other weights are not moving. Can you suggest a fix?
Remove the clock’s dial and hands.
To better understand the problem at hand, the most effective way to grasp the fundamental concept of strike counting is to observe the clock’s internal components in action during the striking process. You can achieve this by disassembling the clock’s hands and manually advancing the minute hand to initiate the striking action. Pay close attention to the mechanisms located on the front of the clock’s movement.
Grandfather clocks employ a rack and snail counting system to ensure that the clock strikes the accurate number of times on the hour. The “rack” resembles a saw-like mechanism that descends onto the snail-shaped component attached to the hour hand’s tube.
If the rack fails to engage properly with the snail, the clock’s striking mechanism will not chime the correct number of times. The problem is located within the hour hand tube itself, which is the tube to which the hour hand is affixed. It may be misaligned by one or two teeth, but fortunately, rectifying this issue is a straightforward process.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I got a grandfather clock which hasn’t run in a few+ years. It seems to keep time well however the chimes are not working (just a small click). I tried pulling the weight but I need to pull it incredibly hard and keep the tension until it completes in order for the chimes to kick in. I’m not sure if this is just a case of it needing oil or if there is something else I should be concerned about. Here is a picture of the clock
Needs a ratchet wheel and the movement gets disassembled for this, but made in 1986 so not worth chasing. These are 30 year units at best. Needs the new unit at this point
Please order the 451-050h 94cm in high bridge from this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/new-451-050-clock-movement-by-hermle
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The strike weight is way up in the clock. How do I get it down?
See this post
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-weights-stuck
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Planning for an extended absence, I stopped the movement of my weight driven GF clock. However, inadvertently, a family member restarted the movement without understanding the implications. I have returned to find 2 weights stuck at lowest position and one weight and chain completely detached. Is there any way of rectifying this without calling in a professional?
What weight fell off, right / left or center?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Right weight. The centre and left are at the lowest point.
Yes you should be able to go through the side access panel if there is one, and toss that chain over the ratchet wheel and fish it over.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thank you, I will give it a try.
A friend that has grandfather clock that keeps good time, chimes correctly at each quarter hour, but does not strike the hour. He checked and the weight chain is on the gear wheel correctly. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Be sure the chain is not rubbing anything on its way down like the seat board. Should be straight from ratchet wheel and down
Be sure nothings blocking the hammers from going back and forth, not rubbing anything
Be sure the rack is not behind the snail by removing the minute hand and letting it strike the hours out.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
On your third point, please explain further what you mean by removing the minute hand, and letting it strike the hours out? Thank you.
I have emailed the solution to the email address provided
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My middle weight is not moving down nor chiming
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My clock is weight hung wall clock that chimes the hour 10 minutes after the hour.
See this link on the issue
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/mechanical-clock-chime-on-time
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My weights on the outside of each side won’t drop. Only the middle weight works! I’ve tried pulling down on the right one and turning the minute hand it didn’t work. Any suggestions?
Clock is not chiming. If it is not chiming it will never strike either. So all that would come down is the middle time weight. Be sure the chimes are set to ON
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The chimes are set to on
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
This is the only numbers I see
I have a Seth Thomas grandfather clock from the 70’s..the clock hasn’t been used in a while. The left chain doesn’t catch when you pull the chain. It just goes back to the bottom. What should I do
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hi, grandfather clock is keeping time, but middle weight is coming down faster than the other ones on the side and is not chiming
Yes if it is not set to be on chime, only the center weight will fall.
Please run it without the hands and the clock dial for testing the chime. It will narrow things down. Next, put the minute hand on just slightly to turn it to the next chime, and the next, let it strike out the hours fully. If it chimed and striked ok, your all set, put the dial and hands back on. What happened is the rack fell behind the snail (the hour hand tube) and brought it forward some. It brought the hour hand forward to the point that when the minute hand is installed it squashed the hour hand upon tightening the minute hand nut. With the strike squashed between the front plate and the snail, all sorts of weird issues occur. If this was a fail and the clock did not chime through this, continue with the below check points.
Be sure the clock’s silent lever is in the down position. This lever is at 3oclock on the movement. This is chime ON.
The chain cant be rubbing anything in its path like the seat board. Should be ratchet wheel straight to the weight, not rubbing anything.
Is the hammers hitting anything in its path when they move? If the hammers are rubbing the back of the clock case, or if there hitting or rubbing against each other, the clock will hang up and not chime
The heaviest weight on your right as you face the clock? The chime weight is the heaviest weight out of the three and goes in this position.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My clock chimes but none of the weights are decending and the hour strike sounds like a cow groaning.
It can never strike if the weights do not come down. Please recheck, one means the other.
Groaning cow syndrome caused by loose gears / fly. Time for bushings. Sending in for service?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My grandfather clock is cable driven. The left and right weight won’t come down
Turn on the chimes.
This should solve
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The chain on my 30 hour clock keeps getting caught on the cog. why is this happening..? is the chain too big..? and some times the chain releases with a bang. And some times the clock stops because the chain is stuck and i have to take the weight off so i can tug at the chain to get it free. The chain is a replacement and now a lighter weight because it did it with the old one and as the chain become unstuck it would go with a bang and the chain would snap and the weigh would fall with a bang to the floor. Now i have a stronger chain … but even this still gets caught. Any ideas.
Cheers
Andy.
Sounds like the wrong size chain is on that clock.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thanks for your reply, well yes i suspected that, do you think i need a smaller chain..?
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I ordered a new movement,pendulum and bob for a 32/1 clock movement. The order was received in perfect condition. When I opened the box that contained the movement I thought there wood be an instruction on how to mount it and how to set the timing but there were no instructions. I’m confused on how to set it up and make it work. Any information would be very helpful. Thank you for all you do.
What is the difference between a Grandfathers clock and a Grandmothers clock?
Size and also more common for the GF is cable driven verses GM is chain usually in post WW2 era
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hi
The left weight does not drop down and the clock only strikes once on each hour position. Please help. Thanx
See this article about strike quantity issues
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-strike-quantity-correction
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The center weight come down faster than the other weights
Turn the clocks chime on, and leave it on. Also turn autonight silence to 24 hours mode if it has ANSO.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Please help. Middle weight is stuck all the way down. The chain won’t pull even when the weight is off. The other right and left are up.
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The only number I can find is the registered serial number…7317894. On the chimes it says 10. No other numbers anywhere. It’s a colonial grandmother
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
HELP! I am ready to cry….just paid a small fortune to have a entire new assembly put into my Barwick grandmother clock….and what do I do? Wound the weights to high I guess…time is working but other two are not..I tried using a cloth and pulling on the heaviest weight first but I am afraid to pull too hard…how hard can I pull….my husband is gonna have a fit!
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thank you…I will have to get my husband to pull the clock away from the wall…too heavy for me so I will wait till he gets home from work. I am truly upset….this was my mom’s clock…will get the numbers. Appreciate the response sir.
Hello, I don’t see my previous message…
I just received a Howard Miller grandfather clock, model 610-199.
All three pulleys are wound too tight and am unable to put the weights on. I’ve tried the things mentioned in the forum…moving minute hand forward 24 and 48 hour cycles, stopping the minute hand at 15 minute increments while pulling down on the cable. I don’t hear a chime either.
I can pay someone $175 to come take a look but that’s a last resort. Anything else I can try?
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I pulled down on the wieght did not chime chime
1. Is the chime selector on chime? There is a switch on the 3 o’clock position on the clock movement. Usually this will have an arm coming out of the dial so you can select it up or down, but then some dials are not equipped with the slot for this arm to come through. If you have the type of dial with no selector slot, you will have to get to that side of the movement from the back and see if there is an arm sticking out of the side of the movement that you can raise or lower. Sometimes what people do if this is the situation is they get a brass rod and bend it to attach to this arm and let it run down the back of the dial so someone can turn the chimes on or off by the end of the rod.
2. Is the auto night selector on daytime? This question is for clocks equipped with ANSO (auto night shut off) where the clock is designed to not play any music between 10pm and 7am. So if the clock is set in this mode and the clock thinks its day time at night and vice versa, it will not play during the daytime hours. Solution to this is to either advance the hands 12 hours by turning the minute hand around and around, or turn off the auto night feature. In most cases the auto night selector switch would be on your left as you face the front of the clock dial, at 9 o’clock. Again, the dial may not have the slot in it to change this, it is possible the movement is equipped with the ANSO feature but does not have the arm that sticks out of the dial. Just as above, you would need to go from the back and see if there is an arm coming out of the side of the movement you can raise or lower. From looking at the back of the clock movement, the lever if it has one, will be on your right.
3. Is the hammers hitting anything in its path when they move? If the hammers are rubbing the back of the clock case, or if there hitting or rubbing against each other, the clock will hang up and not chime. Solution is the bend the hammer wires to freedom. The hammer heads are on wires just for this reason. They are meant to be bent into position, 1/8 approximately from there chime rods. This is so they will not double hit the chime rod, or thud and rest against it, or miss it completely. So it is not uncommon to have to bend them up to 2 inches to the left / right / forward / backward directions. They just cannot have any resistance in their path when trying to raise up and drop on its chime rod when it’s supposed to chime.
4. Is the heaviest weight on your right as you face the clock? The chime weight is the heaviest weight out of the three and goes in this position.
5. Is the chain rubbing the seat board or pinched between the movement and seat board? Having the cable rubbing anything in its path, is just like not having enough weight on the clock. The clock is designed to run with the chain dropping right straight down to the weight without coming into contact with anything on its way down. If the chain rubs anything, or is pinched between the seat board and the movement, the clock will not chime.
6. Is the chime selector drum unit jammed? In some cases the movement may have been taken off of silence and put on a chime such as Westminster, but the roll pin does not move with the selector switch. It will happen usually upon installation of a new movement and setting up the clock. So to explain why this happens would be a hard thing to do, but I can tell you the simple fix for this. So what you do is pull back on the hammers that make the chime song. This will only be one row of hammers and it would be on your right hand side as you look at the front of the clock. Of course the hammers are on the back of the movement, but it will be on the right hand side for the chime portion. You move all the chime hammers back at once to release the roll pin drum to move where it should be and it will be fixed.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Just tried to have the clock weights release and started with the chime weight first as suggested and while trying to pull down the weight and move the minute hand past the 1/4 hr I could not get the weight to budge. What are my options now to do? The Chime weight & the strike weight are both stuck at it’s highest elevation so impossible to remove any weights at all. The time weight will drop providing i let the pendulum continue drop but not the others at all.
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hi. I have a Howard Miller grandfather clock purchased around 1998. I believe it got overwound at some point so it sat. Then during a move all the chains came off. After 7 years I finally decided to get the clock working again. When going in to put the chains around the sprockets i first checked the gears to see if I could manually move them with my finger. The left and right ones will turn and “click” in the correct direction. The middle gear/sprocket will not move at all. Do you think this sprocket will have to be replaced? Thank you! Sherri
Yes bad sprocket but the movement comes apart to correct this. It maybe best for the new one, lets get the numbers and we will know more.
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hi. SKS 13, 116cm, 354 499. That look correct and what you need?
Model # 610-569
Thank you again.
Yes the ratchet wheels break on those after a long time. This unit is no longer available. If your willing to attach the dial to the wood trim instead of the movement itself with the four posts, we can swap it for the new one easy.
Snap the four posts off the back of the dial, drill small holes in the corners of the dial, attach it to the back of the wood trim with small wood screws.
You can use the SKS15 at this point.
Please order the SKS side hammers with 120mm plate size from this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/new-sks-series-kieninger-clock-movement
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My very old grandfather clock with 2 weights the right one is moving down the left is staying in the up position, the time is correct and it is chiming, it’s just the left weight is not moving?
It is saying the same thing as saying the clock is not striking out the hours.
On the left, at 9 oclock, is there a lever for auto night? If so, this maybe set not to strike the hours. Best to move this lever all the way up.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I’m afraid if I pull down on the weight I will snap the cable. Do I have valid concern? Secondly, I don’t hear any clicking when I pass the quarter, half, three-quarter, and full hour. Thanks for your prompt response. I want to hear the music again.
Hi,
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The right weight is stuck and clock does not chime. The grandfather clock timing is working.
What are the movement numbers from the back plate?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My Howard Miller clock , the pingulim weight in the middle won’t drop any idea how to get it going again?
If out of three weights and the middle does not drop, that is saying the clock pendulum will not keep swinging.
So your clock wont run, is this what you are meaning? Or is the weight stuck way up in the air its jammed up there?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My grandfather clock(1980, Colonial of Zeeland) hadn’t run in a while. I took out the mechanism and soaked it in an ultrasonic cleaner for 30 minutes, and oiled it. I reassembled and THE CENTER WEIGHT doesn’t move. The pendulum doesn’t seem to be ticking or tocking. As long as I swing the pendulum all but the center weight move properly. I have been forcing a chime for a while to work in the oil. Any suggestions on how to get the pendulum and center weight to start moving on their own?
Remove the hands, and the dial to get them out of the picture, this will eliminate some things. Put it in BEAT and see if it will run
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I did all of that to no avail. It hadn’t run for about a year, so I know from previous servicing that it took several attempts to get it running again, but not this time. The pendulum swings for about 5 minutes before stopping. Again, I took out the clock mechanism and put in ultrasonic cleaner… oiled and reassembled it.
One thing that I am experiencing that I haven’t seen previously… the chimes are not playing like they used to… WESTM, ST MICH., and WHITT all sound the same and don’t sound very good. 🙁
To get the mechanisms working through the oil, I have continually moved the hands and pendulum, and it just doesn’t want to get moving again.
I can hear ticking, and I can see the main pendulum gear moving, but it won’t continue.
Hi,
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
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
61-500/Ke/F
There is more info on that one. Need from the back plate, not the paperwork that came with the clock.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Those are the numbers engraved on the back of the mechanism. see attached photo.
Please order our Jauch 78 conversion kit at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/jauch-pl78-clock-movement-kit
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
If I buy the Westminster only chime… does that mean that the three options on the clock face just won’t change?
or should I buy the three-chime movement?
Correct, the words will be wrong, the clock will only either play Westminster or be silent
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The left weight in my Howard miller GF clock has suddenly started dropping faster than other two. Almost to the bottom every couple of days.
Also the hour chimes gets stuck keeps chiming everyone once in a while. 🤷♀️
See this article on the issue please
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-chimes-forever-correction
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thank you!
I am installing new works. Right chime chain is stuck and will not pull up weight and in manually reset weight drops to bottom of cabinet. Suggestion?
Hi,
Please clarify this sentence.
Right chime chain is stuck and will not pull up weight and in manually reset weight drops to bottom of cabinet.
I am not understanding if the weight will not wind up, or if the weight drops non stop without running the clock
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a Ridgeway grandfather clock. I just noticed that the weights are not falling. The clock is chiming and keeping the correct time. The weights have not been overwound as none of them are as high as they can go by several inches. No adjustments have been made to cause any change. We’ve had the clock for 20 years and have never had this problem before. Any ideas for a quick fix? Otherwise, I will probably be calling a repairman out next week.
Do not need a repair man. Some one is winding the clock when your not looking. To have the clock run perfect with the no power source would defy all the laws of the universe, ya know? Check with the family, someone is winding it.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The second hand sticks at 60 even though the pendulum is moving. What can I do?
If the second hand is touching the dial indicator at the 60, this will stop the clock. It is only a friction fit, pull the entire hand out some or bend the hand extension out.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
A miracle cure! Thank you!
Your Welcome.
my pendulum gear is stuck in the full down position the cable, cord, wire has come unspooled How dop I unstick it?
The cable end has two ends, one end is in the barrel and on the movement frame. Both have a larger hole and a smaller hole, the end goes in the large hole and gets moved to the smaller hole to be locked in. You can unlock the cable from one side or the other and unravel or untangle it in this way.
Or find the click that makes the cable spins one way and not the other. Release the click from its ratchet with a small screwdriver and lift it up some. As lifting the click with the screw driver, pull the cable down to unravel. This is not easy on the time train barrel, the movement must be removed.
Now with all that said, if the movement is 25 years old or older, and it will be out anyway, it would be time to swap the clock movement with the new one. To quote for a new movement we would need the numbers off of the back plate of the movement itself, right off the brass. We have support and instructions and the movement comes with its cables and already oiled.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I was told I needed 3 x 7.7 pound weights for my clock is that total or each?
It would be each, and can be ordered at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/polished-clock-weight
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Pulling on the right weight while advancing worked fine but no matter how hard I pull on the left weight at the top of the hour it will not chime. Is there something we lose I can do? It keeps time and chimes now but will not strike out the hour.
You may need to remove the dial to get that one if its that stuck. The strike is the easiest out of the three to correct. This page is related and talks about the simple component involved with the strike side
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-strike-quantity-correction
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
None of my weights are moving
Please swing the pendulum to start the clock and then turn the chimes on.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
i have a howard miller 611 042 and the weight in the middle works fine however the left one and the right one do not move down how can i fix that
Hi,
Turn the chimes on
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a Howard Miller presidential tall clock. The center chain has gotten off track and I cannot get the weight to move down. Any solution to get it back in track.
That is a tricky thing to do. The best way is the remove the movement completely and restring it around its wheel. Maybe while it is out of the clock case, you can provide the movement numbers to us and we will consider a replacement at the same time. They are generally 25 year units before needed to be swapped or restored. To restore it is usually twice the cost of the new one and takes months to get done.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thank you
My pleasure.
James
Glad to have read these solutions. Very nice to see that things can be explained so easily. Not like stereo instructions lol. Thank you for your help 💯 legit and helped me get my grandmothers clock working correctly!
Our pleasure
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com