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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.
My grandfather clock has three weights. The middle one drops faster than the other two. It didn’t used to do that. Can you tell me why?
Turn the chimes on 24/7 for them to come down about equal
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Seth Thomas Clock Model 4505A
Strike Weight Not Moving, is there any tricks to make this weight function properly? I’ve pulled down and it functions but it does not work on its own.
Not sure from here, would you like to send this one in for restoration ?
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Dear James, I just used your instructions to unlock my grandmother clock after pulling the weights too high. I was heartbroken that I had ruined my mother’s clock, but nothing prepared me for the relief and joy I felt, when the pendulum started moving on its own, not from momentum but under the clock’s own power. Thank you so much!
Glad you are all set.
Can you do me a favor and rate us? It’s easy, just click this link and give us as many stars as we earned please:
https://www.google.com/search?q=clockworks+huntington+ma&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS815US815&oq=clockworks+huntington+ma&aqs=chrome..69i57j0j69i64j69i60.5414j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
How do I replace a weight wire in my grandmother clock
Do you mean the clock cable the weights hang on?
What are the movement numbers off the back plate?
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Chime weight locked
Please explain
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a Howard Miller 610-134, stamped UW32568D, I just replaced the pendulum suspension spring and it keeps time flawlessly. problem is it doesn’t make a sound, no chimes no strikes. the weights are in the correct position and the silent/chime selector is set to on. it doesn’t have the anso option that I can see. there’s no selector near the 9 in front and no lever on the right in the back. I have tried pulling on the chime weight as I advance the minute hand and it will chime but only if I pull on the weight slightly. any ideas??
Is over 45 years old, these are 30 year units at best. Time for the new one.
Please order the 32319 from this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/uw32319-urgos-clock-movement
Same movement, new number name
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My 2 weights were stuck but now my pendulum stopped also
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.
Not off the paper work, not off the wooden case, but the movement stamp itself
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My 2 outside weights are stuck. I’ve tried pulling on them one at a time while moving the minute hand but nothing is happening?
Turn the chimes on, weights will come down like the middle
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My right & left weights are stuck pulled all the way up. How to release them. We are trying to pack to move it
See this very same link please
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-weights-stuck
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The numbers on the movement are 451-050.I also tried pulling down on the chime weight while moving the minute arm past the quarter hour and it still did not work any other ideas?
Is the chime selector on chime
Is the hammers hitting anything in its path when they move or the back of the case
Is the heaviest weight on the your right as you face the clock
Is the chain rubbing the seat board or pinched between the movement and seat board
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The numbers that are stamped on the movement are 451-050. I think these are the numbers you asked for. I also tried pulling down on the chime weight and move the minute hand past the quarter hour and that did not work. Do you have any other ideas?
If the chimes do not chime, the clock will not strike. So to correct the chime means to correct the strike also, usually. The chain cant be rubbing anything in its path like the seat board. The chain 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. If none of the above work, please remove the hands and dial, and try the clock without these installed. If persists, please email a picture of what you see as far as the front of the movement with no dial and hands on the clock.
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
On my Howard miller grandfather clock the chime weight and the strike weights will not move what can I do to fix it?
If it does not chime, it will never strike. So we fix the chime and go from there. But first, what are we working with ?
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.
Not off the paper work, not off the wooden case, but the movement stamp itself
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The numbers on the movement stamp are 451-050
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
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.
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The numbers are 451-050
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
My 3 weight Westminister Grandfather clock was working. I needed to move it….Now the 3 weights seem to move downward OK, the clock does chime when I enable that feature, but after a few minutes the pendulum just stops. What can I do to solve this?
See this link
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/mechanical-clock-movement-beat-setting
on how to put your clock IN BEAT
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Tried overswinging the pendulum, Had it swing back and forth with the insides… still stopped after a few minutes…grrr
I can stick my head and hear the tick tock variations but then it still stops…
I’ve included photos of the weights/pendulum and the inside.
pendulums
inside
Any other ideas??
It was working earlier this month and for quite some time…
THANKS
So you’re saying the mechanism just dies one day? It hasn’t been in use all those years,
I should be following Putting a post WW2 German clock in beat right?
Here’s what the tick-tock sounds like before it stops when I overswing the pendulum and it stabilizes before it stops
https://www.richkwasniewski.com/tick-tock.m4a
That link works. The beat is fine, the clock is in beat but stops. It is just time for the new one.
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Please see this link on how to put the clock in beat = https://www.clockworks.com/posts/mechanical-clock-movement-beat-setting
If that does not work, might as well replace the movement. These are 30 year units at best, yours made in 1985.
Please order the 451-030 from this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/new-451-030-clock-movement-by-hermle
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
And I should be following these steps right?
Putting a post WW2 German clock in beat
YES but if it will not go into beat, there is too much resistance in the gear train. In other words the issue is more involved than just a beat fix
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My error….. the correct link to the sound file
https://www.richkwasniewski.com/tick-tock.m4a
I have uploaded a sound file of the tick-tock when I start the pendulum up until it stops
https://www.richkwasniewski.com/tick-tock.ma4
Link does not work
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
This clock has not been running all the time I have had it…. So you’re saying one day ithe mechanism just up and dies??
Oil turns solid, creates wear and the exact opposite of lubrication. So movement needs restoration and so forth after 25 years, this is labor costs so expensive. The same new movement is made in todays world and is less cost so this being the better way to go.
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My 3 clock weights seem to slowly come down, the pendulum swings but then stops. It will chime if I enable the chime. How can I prevent it from stopping after a few minutes or so?
See this link
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/mechanical-clock-movement-beat-setting
on how to put your clock IN BEAT
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
i AM LOOKINGNFORNTHE PRICE TO REPLACE THE HOOK THAT HOOKS ON THE WHEEL
THANK YOU
See weight top hooks =
https://www.clockworks.com/product/clock-weight-hook
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The two outside weights will not come down
Turn the chimes on
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The chimes are on, I pulled the weights up the same way for 40 years now. They will not come down, the middle one does.
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.
Not off the paper work, not off the wooden case, but the movement stamp itself
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Could you please give me a name of somebody in St. Louis Missouri that would be an expert on grandfather Clark so that I could contact them and see if they could help me
My strike and my chime weights on my grandfather clock will not move. Can someone help me?
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.
Best to run with no hands or dial on the clock, if the clock will not strike please email a pic of the front of the movement by replying to this email and I will see what is up with that one
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The chimes on my grandfather clock quit chiming. Later I inadvertently pulled the chime weight too far up so that it is stuck. The chime lever is in the chime position. Can I myself solve the problems? I think the clock is a Ridgeway.
Yes, you seem to be on the correct page for the answers, please read the content and see if it helps
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
center pendulem goes all the way down, other two dont move
Turn on the chimes
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
It has metal wire instead of chains, and the time weight is stuck (won’t go up or down).
I wound them all up, and I got the left and right to go down by winding it backwards while it chimed. But I can’t get the middle to go down at all, and the weight doesn’t fit unless I pull the wheel behind a little wooden bar, which leaves no room for the pendulum
Sounds like issues with the movement in general.
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.
Not off the paper work, not off the wooden case, but the movement stamp itself
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Baldwin grandfather clock weights (left and right) do not drop on their own. Pulling on the right weight causes the clock to chime and strike as it should. Where should I look for the cause/solution of this problem. Clock has worked flawlessly for over 36 years until earlier this week.
Post 1950 German origin movements are 25-30 year units at best. The issue is not the weights, but old oil that has solidified.
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.
Not off the paper work, not off the wooden case, but the movement stamp itself
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
James, thank you for your quick reply. Since posting my question, I have placed two small lead weights on top of the right hand weight and the clock is now working as it should. As such, I pushed the clock back into it place along the living room wall. I will have to pull it back out to retrieve the numbers that you mention. Just curious. How will having the numbers of the movement fix solidified oil? I will be back in touch once I get the numbers. Thank you again for your help.
Because if it is post 1950 and German origin it has only a 25 year life expectancy until a restoration or replacement has to happen. Thus the issues. We sell new movements, the same movement, for a fraction of the price of a restoration. We give instructions how to put it in, and support if you get stuck.
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.
Not off the paper work, not off the wooden case, but the movement stamp itself
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Sligh grandfather clock. Center weight cable is stuck. Tried pulling weight with pendulum off. It won’t move. Pendulum lead runs for a few minutes with Pendulum off. Any suggestions? I’m not in any clock repairmans service area. 🙁
Get the pendulum leader to keep ticking fast for the cable to come down some. Then put the weight and pendulum on it. Then put in beat like this =
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/mechanical-clock-movement-beat-setting
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
both weights are stuck at the top How can I get them unstuck?
Please read this link
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-weights-stuck
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hello. My grandfather clock left side doesnt come down and wont let me wind up. Causing my clock not to chime
Your left as you face the clock is strike.
Try letting it chime the top of the hour complete, and toward the end of the song pull down with your hand on the left weight to see if that added weight will kick in the strike. If it does should be good there on forth, just dont wind so high up
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My weight right side is still stuck after doing the procedure grand father Trend Slight . How do I release how do I release it.
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.
Not off the paper work, not off the wooden case, but the movement stamp itself
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a question my weights all slowly went down and touched the bottom within a week
8 day clock. Weights power the clock for a week, wind once a week, if you miss a day your still good.
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
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