Grandfather Clock Weights Stuck

The 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 you can always see the top of the weight. Never go to the point where you can’t see the top of the shiny weight covers.

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 a 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 to see if it will start running on its own when you let go. If this does not work, take off the pendulum. All you 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. As you pull down some on the weight, the leader will tick tock faster. 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 restring the chain and fix the link that broke.

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. This is because if the clock does not run through the chimes, it will never get to the point where it’s supposed to strike the hours out. 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. You will have to advance the minute hand and let it chime each quarter until it plays the top of the hour song. Then it will be time for you to pull a little on the weight when it’s supposed to strike out the hours. If you 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.

- - The content of this web page and web site was written and copyright by James Stoudenmire of Clockworks.com - It may not be used commercially without permission. - -