My Grandfathers Clock

Time Pieces That Stand The Test Of Time

Grandfather Clock Repairs

Some of you will probably think right away—no way, I would mess it up worse than the problem I already have. You are probably not the one this article is meant for. If you are worried that you will only make things worse—just call a grandfather clock repair service. But there are those of you out there that are known tinkerers and not intimidated at all in trying a few things to see if it will help the situation.
 

Some of you may have actually built your grandfather clock from a grandfather clock kit. You are probably up to trying to figure out what is wrong with your grandfather clock and fixing it.

Probably, the number one cause of your grandfather clock having a problem is that it needs oiling. Grandfather clocks need oiling every three years. Moving parts will grind to a halt if they aren't lubricated. The wheel pivots will start grinding into the brass plates of the clock. This causes the alignment of the wheels to go skewed and power is lost because the wheels are responsible for driving the clock mechanisms. All this results in the grandfather clock just stopping.

There isn't a warning light on the clock that says you need to replace the oil. The clock just continues to operate—all the time damaging the mechanisms inside until it just stops—after the damage is done.

In addition to oiling it every three years—it needs to be professionally cleaned every 6. JUST DO IT! It will cause you from not having so many problems in the long run.

If the pendulum has quit swinging—make sure the weights are pulled all the way up. I know this sounds like a given but some people call a repair service and have not done this. If this isn't causing the problem make sure the hands aren't touching. If they are, you can push the hour hand more into the clock—but not to where it is touching the dial. You can also very slightly bend the minute hand towards you.

Another reason could be that the minute hands are touching the glass case—if this is the cause just slightly bend them back. And lastly, have you recently moved your grandfather clock? Grandfather clocks can be very temperamental. They have to be cajoled to be balanced just right. So keep working with it by tilting it forward or backward until it starts “clicking” just right. A leveler will not work as each situation is different according to the floor that is beneath it.