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Removing Mechanical Clock Hands
Removing Mechanical Clock Hands is fast and easy to do. The following are hand removal instructions for German mechanical movements post WW2.
German Post WW2 wall, mantle and floor models
Removing mechanical clock hands for post WW2, mantle and floor clocks is quite simple. Turn the hand nut to the left while holding the minute hand with your fingers.
Use some small needle nose pliers to loosen the nut first. Once the nut is loose, turn it with your fingers until it comes off.
Then the minute hand will be able to wiggle straight off its square arbor and off of the clock. The hour hand is a friction fit, so just twist the hour hand back and forth and pull toward you until it comes off.
If having a second hand bit, that is only a friction also, so just grab it with your fingernails, twist and pull off.
American Antique time and strike
These type of movements come in two styles. If there is a minute hand nut, the first style is the same as above.
Be very careful not to lose this hand nut. They are very hard to find and replace. The second style of mechanical clock hands will have a pin holding the minute hand on instead of a nut.
This pin tapers, meaning it's fat on one side and skinny on the other. Just grab the fat side with needle nose pliers and yank the pin out. The minute hand will fall out with a washer.
Save the washer and the tapered pin for ease of reinstalling the hands. If these items happen to get lost, Clockworks offers washers and taper pins for purchase, as well as replacement mechanical clock hands.
German Mechanical-Clock Hand Installation
The German Mechanical-Clock Hand Installation on a German mechanical movement is quite simple. It is the reverse of theremoval.
If you are doing a replacement of the movement, or if the hands are new, the minute hand must go through some adjustments. This is so it will point to the correct time when it chimes.

Installing the hour hand
First comes the hour hand. The hour hand is simply a friction fit. All you have to do is put the hand on its round post. Then twist and push toward the front of the dial.
One thing to be sure of is that it is not in contact with the dial at any point during the its rotation.
This includes the base of the hour hand. It cannot rub against the hole in the clock face itself. So, if at any point the hour hand touches anything the clock can stop. Because it is only a friction fit, you can turn the hand to point to whatever hour it is, just with your fingers.
Installing the minute hand
Second, comes the minute hand. The minute hand installation is done by putting the square hole in the hand, on the square post of the hand shaft. The bottom of the minute hand cannot be rubbing the hour hand tube or the hour hand. If it is, the hour hand has to be set lower on its tube.
Therefore, it is imperative to check the positioning of the hands to ensure they are not touching anything. With the minute hand on its square post, now it's time to put the hand nut on.
The nut goes on finger tight and then a little bit more with a pair of needle nose pliers to make it secure.
Mechanical Clock Hands
The German mechanical clock hands are sold by the time track diameter. When ordering these mechanical clock hands, this measurement is important. To clarify, the dial diameter is the measurement of the time track.
This means from just outside the 9 straight across to just outside the 3. For example, if this time track diameter is 6 inches, then select hands for a 6 inch time track in the drop down list. Hands for a 6 inch time track will have a minute hand of about 2 7/8 long from the mounting hole to the end.
The proportionally smaller hour hand will come with the minute hand. This is a vastly different way of measuring than the quartz clock hands. So be sure to follow these directions for measuring and not the ones for the quartz hands.
Ordering Hands
After getting the time track diameter measurement, it is time to choose a style for the mechanical clock hand. Under each style of hand, there is a drop down menu. Look to see if the style comes in the size needed for the clock.
Not all styles of hands come in the same sizes, so might have to look at the different options available. The most popular styles of mechanical clock hands are the serpentine and spade hands.
Remember, the minute hand will come a little less than half of this time track measurement. The hour hand will be proportional in size to the minute hand.
How they are sent
So, when ordering mechanical clock hands, remember that they come as a pair, hour and minute hand. They ship the next business day from Clockworks in Huntington MA USA, via the method that is chosen upon checkout.
Mechanical Clock Chime On Time
These are the directions to get a German mechanical clock to chime on time. This means having the clock hands point to the right spot when the clock chimes.
When replacing a clock movement, or getting new clock hands, either one, you will notice it will chime 5 minutes before it should, or 10 min after, something like this. This page explains how to correct this situation. It is unbelievably fast and easy to do.
Working with the minute hand
After the installation of a new mechanical movement , or if you are just installing a new set of hands, you may notice the clock will not chime at the time it should.
To correct this, take the minute hand off of the clock. This is the longer of the two hands.
With this minute hand off of the clock, turn it upside down and look that it has a square hole where it attaches to the clock. This square hole is in a bushing that will rotate WITHIN the minute hand itself.
The correction
So, all to be done is just use needle nose pliers to turn this bushing ever so slightly. Put the hand back on the clock and see if it’s pointing to the correct place where it should chime.
If it is, then it all set and it will point to the exact place it should be pointing to. If it is still not right, take the hand off and try again. Once you get the minute hand to point to the correct chime you then set it to the correct time.
The conclusion
It is really that easy, there is nothing to do with the clock itself, only the minute hand. In other words, to put it in a silly way, take the minute hand off of the clock and walk to the garage with it.
Take it far, far away from the clock. When in your garage take needle nose pliers and turn the bushing within the hand itself. Then walk back to the clock and put it on. See if it's now pointing to the right spot.

Mechanical clock hand nuts
One of the most common parts a Mechanical clock needs is the hand nut. As we said before, the older the clock the harder things are to find. So, the hand nuts Clockworks offer are for movements made after the 1930's.

Prior to 1930 clock hand nuts
There were not many standards on what the hand nut size should be on the early clocks. However, prior to around 1930 there is no telling what will work. In other words, it is literally trial and error. There was no standard hand nut size.
Subsequently, any hand nut we offer, may, or may not, work. This includes cuckoo hand nuts, American clock hand nuts, or German hand nuts. However, with even all of these assortments, there is a chance none of them will work on the clock.

Post 1930 clock hand nuts
Generally speaking, what we have to offer in the three types of clock hand nuts will cover most of the post 1930 Mechanical clocks.
The cuckoo hand nuts fit about 80% of the post war German made cuckoo clocks.
So, the American clock hand nuts fit many of the mechanical time strikes that were so popular. German hand nuts fit most post war German made mechanical clocks, with the exception being a few large grandfather clocks.

Clocks that do not take a hand nut
However, not all clocks require a hand nut. Some antique mechanical clocks require a clock hand washer and a tapered pin instead. These secure the minute hand as an alternative to the hand nut.
The washer may have a small square hole, or large, oblong or round hole. Clockworks offers an assortment of 100 clock hand washers that includes all the styles above. Use a taper pin to secure the hand with the washer on top of it.
Insert the taper pin into the hole in the end of the minute hand arbor to secure the washer and minute hand to the clock. A taper pin is a small brass or steel rod that is wide on one end and skinny on the other. Clockworks offers them in an assortment of 100 to ensure the right one is there.


American Clock Hand Nuts
A mix of steel and brass American clock hand nuts. This is a 12 pack of hand nuts that are all the same thread size. They are likely to fit American time strike units made from around 1930 to 1950's.Older American units are basically a gamble if these will work or not. This assortment is still the best odds for getting a hand nut for an antique American made mechanical clock.
I have a Sessions mantle clock. I need a nut that holds the clock hands on to the face. The diameter of the screw that holds the clock hands on is .075″. Can you instruct me on what to purchase.
These usually work for that, not always
American Clock Hand Nuts
https://www.clockworks.com/product/american-hand-nuts
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hello. I need a hand nut set for a 1970s era Ridgeway Grandfather clock. I assume that I should get an American hand nut set. Is that correct?
No. You would want the German hand nuts because they used German movements. This link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thanks, James!
I have an Ethan Allen grandfather clock from late fifties or early 60’s which is missing a hand nut. Will I be able to use your American hand nut set?
No, that will have a German movement. Best to get the German hand nut assortment from this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
AWI / BHI / Lifetime NAWCC
Thank you!
Iam glad it worked out. Great Job !
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a mechanical Seth Thomas clock model A403-012 made in 06 1979. The movement was made in Germany for Seth Thomas and I need the nut that holds the minute hand on. Any advice? Mike
German hand nuts
https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thanks James, and thanks for the quick reply. I will order some. Thanks again, really appreciate it. Mike
Hi,
Glad to hear it
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I am looking for a replacement key/crank for my Howard Miller #613-489
Hi
We have keys at this link
https://clockworks.com/clock-parts/clock-keys.html
Here we have clock keys in all the sizes available. We get many calls asking what key their clock takes and over the phone it is difficult to say you need key size this or that. Do not call. Best to read the below text on how to use the clock keys chart and get the correct sized key to wind your clock.
Most common sizes are as follows, these are the usual sizes and not always the situation every time.
German made round movements Size 3 or 4. If ships bell, size 3, the rest size 4
German made square / rectangle units post WW2 Size 8
German Grandfather clock cranks post WW2 Crank key Size 8
American time / strike units Size 7
Korean / Chinese 31 day units Size 7
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
HOW MANY SIZES HEX NUTS ARE FOR QUARTZ MECH CLOCK?
One
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have an empire clock around 1985 I need a hand nut which one do I order
German clock hand nuts
https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
James
I have a school house style clock made by my uncle, probably from the 60’s. No name on it. It needs a hand nut. Any suggestions please, and thank you.
This pack would be the best shot, but if the movement is way old like prior to 1900 it maybe no help however
James
Thank you, I’ll give it a try. Pretty sure it was made in the 1960’s!
My guess is WW2 era.
James
When I tighten the minute hand nut the movement (Hermle) stops, if I loosen the nut all runs well but minute hand flops around. How would I remedy this (hopefully) simple problem?
Thanks
John
Take the minute hand off the clock
Run it until it strikes out the hours
Reinstall minute hand.
All fixed
James
My mother has a Mason Sullivan Shaker wall clock. It has a spring wound movement with a working pendulum. I am looking to find replacement hand nuts. The original was blank, but this is not a requirement. Do you sell hand nuts that will fit? Thanks!
German hand nuts from this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
Sorry no black
James
Hi! Will hand nuts (yours pack of 12) with clock model UW32001B (UW32319) ?
Hi,
Yes these German hand nuts will correct the issue
https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
James
i have a dutch bell clock the has the pendulum with the horse and rider. the regulator nut came off so i need to replace it. which one should i buy
What size is the thread in these nuts? I need a #1-64tpi nut (for a 120 beat self-winding Western Union clock).
I have a Howard Miller Floor Grandfather Clock purchased new in Jan 1993. Somehow I have lost the adjusting disc from the bottom of the pendulum. I see how to order pendulums but not just the disc. Any advice ?
Thanks
See the following links.
Rating Assembly:
https://www.clockworks.com/product/clock-pendulum-rating-assembly
Bob:
https://www.clockworks.com/product/mechanical-clock-pendulum-bob
Thank you !
Clockworks Team
is a Howard Miller grand father clock 1987 clock an American or German clock movement need hand face nut which set
Please provide your movement numbers off the back plate of the movement.
See this link for help locating your movement numbers: Identifying a mechanical clock movement — https://clockworks.crisp.help/en/article/identifying-a-mechanical-clock-movement-88buzj/
Thank you !
To know for sure. You will need to provide the movement numbers off the back plate of the movement itself.
Please see this link for help finding your movement numbers: Identifying a mechanical clock movement — https://clockworks.crisp.help/en/article/identifying-a-mechanical-clock-movement-88buzj/
Thank you !
I have a Miller Clock movement that does not have the nut on the end of the shaft holding the hands on. Is it likely that this kit will contain a nut that is able to replace this? 1980 Grandfather
Please provide your movement numbers off the back plate of the movement.
See this link for help locating the movement numbers: Identifying a mechanical clock movement — https://clockworks.crisp.help/en/article/identifying-a-mechanical-clock-movement-88buzj/
Thank you !
A replacement movement will have the hand nut.
If you would like to purchase a hand nut please see them here: https://www.clockworks.com/product/american-hand-nuts
Thank you !
I have a Seth Thomas ship”s brass clock that rings watches. The only identifying mark is the number one on the back of the clock. This clock was used in WW 1 or WW2. Would these hand nuts work on this clock?
‘
We have inherited a Fugitive Tempus Seth Thomas grandfather clock and it is missing the center hand but. Is there a replacement for that specifically?
Hi, For that one you would want the German hand nuts from this link https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
James
The knob I’m referring to is for a Howard Miller grandfather clock and it was black with tread inside. My clock stops when the hands are in the same spot ie.12,1.05etc.
The hand nuts for German clock movements, this link https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
Many Thanks !
James and Donna Stoudenmire http://www.clockworks.com 124 Goss Hill = UPS Mailing PO Box 339 = USPS Mailing Huntington, MA 01050 USA clockworks@clockworks.com
Virus-free.
http://www.avg.com
Virus-free.
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Where do I find a hand nob that “holds the hands on
I think you need a hand nut. Where and when approximately was your clock movement made?
James
Many Thanks !
James and Donna Stoudenmire http://www.clockworks.com 124 Goss Hill = UPS Mailing PO Box 339 = USPS Mailing Huntington, MA 01050 USA clockworks@clockworks.com
Virus-free.
http://www.avg.com
Virus-free.
http://www.avg.com
I have a Ridgeway clock movement that does not have the nut on the end of the shaft holding the hands on. Is it likely that this kit will contain a nut that is able to replace this?
That one would take the German hand nuts from this link https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts
Thanks for the prompt response!