Grandfather clock keeps stopping

[Susan Harris]

I have a grandfather clock I inherited that has a problem. I'm wondering if
anyone on here has some insights as I've never owned a clock like this
before.

The clock works fine without the pendulum - ticking away, very fast but
correctly. The weights move down, the hands move around, the clock chimes
etc. HOWEVER as soon as the pendulum is put onto the clock I obverse one of
two things:

1. The pendulum requires a huge angle to allow the escapement mechanism to
work (and of course this degree of swing is too much for the clock to
maintain).

2. The pendulum works, but stops after about 10-15 minutes.

Does this ring any bells for anyone? I'm sure there is more information I
could provide, but I'm not sure what is significant!

[Jack Denver]

Your clock probably needs cleaning and lubrication. Just like changing the
oil in your car, clocks need periodic maintenance. Find a local clock
repair shop and they will take it from there.

"Susan Harris" <susanbha...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8JidnYjj4IMlbl3U...@earthlink.com...

[dAz]

is the sound of the tick even? or are you getting a long and short tick.

usually when clocks get moved around something gets bumped out of
adjustment, if the clock is out of beat meaning you have to move the
pendulum further one way for it to tick than the other, the clock will
only run for a few minutes.

the tick should be even on both sides of the centre when the pendulum is
at rest and with say a 1/2" of overswing.

resetting the beat is not hard but I need to know the age of your clock.

dAz

[Jack Denver]

As a starting point it might be helpful to use a level or plumb bob to see
if the clock is standing vertical.

"dAz" <d...@zipdog.com> wrote in message
news:gprmc5$bl5$1...@news.motzarella.org...

[Frank Adam]

On Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:57:54 -0400, "Jack Denver"
<nunu...@netscape.net> wrote:

>As a starting point it might be helpful to use a level or plumb bob to see
>if the clock is standing vertical.
>

I thought the starting point would be whether it is in, or out of
beat, Jack. ;-p

--

Regards, Frank

[dAz]

Jack Denver wrote:
> As a starting point it might be helpful to use a level or plumb bob to
> see if the clock is standing vertical.

that really makes no difference, so long as the case is stable and not
rocking on the floor, eg; if it is standing on carpet the underlay can
be a bit thick along the skirting board causing the case to lean
forward, in which case it is best to attach the case to the wall or at
the very least chock the front feet so the case leans back on the wall,
may need spacers at the top back of the case to ensure the case is upright.

if the clock is on a timber or tile floor then check to make sure the
case cannot rock, because that can cause the weights to swing in
sympathy with the pendulum and stop the clock.

anyway, it make no difference is the case is not perfectly upright, the
beat can be set to where ever the clock is standing.

[Susan Harris]

Thanks for all these suggestions. I examine it in detail over the weekend.

"Susan Harris" <susanbha...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8JidnYjj4IMlbl3U...@earthlink.com...

[Radioguy]

1. Did this problem start recently? If so was the clock moved? If
it's yes to both, then chances are the clock is out of beat. If you
listen to the clock as it runs the tick and tock are not equally
spaced - it might sould like it is loping along.

2. Otherwise, if it is running fast and not staying running for long
then chances are it is due to be disassembled, cleaned and reoiled.
The clock oil has likely thickened over time.

[88.7...@gmail.com]

I just got a mantle clock, and am having the same problem. With the spring wound, the clock works perfectly without the pendulum. However, when I put the pendulum on, the clock stops within about 30 seconds, even after setting the beat. Any help would be appreciated

[Mur]

Probably out of beat. If it is a modern clock,with self-adjusting beat, the friction may be too loose. If an older one, owner needs to be shown how to adjust. The weights may be shuffled, or there may be interference at the crutch, or elsewhere. These or a dozen other things an expert would check.

When was it last cleaned; has it been moved?
Murray

[mrlo...@gmail.com]

Mine is out of beat. I can hear it. How can I fix that?

[Ian Partridge]

<mrlo...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:465f3b52-ed4b-40d0...@googlegroups.com...

> Mine is out of beat. I can hear it. How can I fix that?

If yours is an an antique longcase:

For stability. Place a couple of wedges (strips of folded cardboard under
the front of the base. This will tilt the clock case back against the wall.
If necessary, fix a narrow strip of wood (the same thickness as the rooms'
skirting board) to the backboard behind the hood so that the backboard is
firmly resting against the wall, especially if your longcase is across the
corner of a room.

Once your longcase trunk is absolutely steady, then you can apply the
necessary adjustments to set your longcase clock into beat.

Carefully remove the pendulum. Examine the suspension spring for kinks or
tears. If bent, then carefully smooth out the kink with tweezers.

With the pendulum removed, the crutch should run rapidly and continuously
back and forth. This indicates that the clock has impulse. Sometimes the
strike mechanism is the cause of loss of impulse to the "going" side.

The strike weight on an eight day longcase should always be kept wound up
and striking (otherwise the strike detent finger drags behind the snail
causing loss of impulse to the going side when it drops down to strike XII)

If your longcase runs and strikes happily without the pendulum attatched,
then re-fit the pendulum.

Observe that the pendulum bob is not askew in relation to the suspension
spring block. Adjust the threaded end of the suspension rod in the
suspension block so that the bob swings and its edges cut through the air
and not on a slant that increases the air resistance.

When fitting the suspension spring through the fine slit in the back
suspension cock there should be no free play. If necessary squeeze the sides
to narrow the slit otherwise you will loose impulse to the pendulum.

It is vital that the brass block below the suspension spring matches with
the slot on the crutch. Too tight and the pendulum will loose impulse. Too
wide and the pendulum will also lose impulse. There must be a small "side
shake" left. A slight click when waggled indicates sufficient side shake.

You are working from the front of the clock with the hood removed so
attatching the pendulum and adjusting the crutch has to be by 'feel' not by
eye. You are also adjusting mentally 'back to front' with your left hand
offering up the pendulum through the trunk door and your right hand guiding
the end of the suspension spring up through the crutch forks and hooking on
to the slit in the back cock.

Once you have attatched the pendulum, LISTEN to the beat of the pendulum.
Does each swing left and right sound even and in equal beat, or limping and
unequal?

If unequal then tilt the clock trunk to the left or the right side until the
beat sounds equal.

Once you have determined which side needs tilting, then grasp the stem of
the crutch between your forefinger and second finger and thumb and apply
pressure to impart a bend to the crutch in the direction opposite to that
the trunk needed tilting. The pressure has to be applied by your right hand
thumb or your left hand thumb. The crutch stem is soft and can be bent
easily.

Listen again to the beat and adjust again as necessary, by trial and error,
working by feel and the sound of equal beat until the pendulum beat sounds
equal to the ear.

The arc of the pendulum swing should be strong, not shallow and quavering,
in which case the pendulum will inevitably stop, indicating the clock
movement is worn.

For modern longcase clocks made in the last 135 years, then the crutch has a
friction adjustment of various designs so that the crutch stem is not bent
but the adjustment for setting into beat is the same. Usually pushing the
crutch stem until a slight resistance is felt and the pendulum is thereby
set into beat.

A dab of clock oil on the sides of the crutch fork where it touches the
suspension block will reduce friction and improve the arc to the swing of
the pendulum bob.

Ian

[siddha...@gmail.com]

Hi I seem to have the same problem but cannot seem to sort it out can someone help me .... I have removed the clock out of the casing and trying to figure this out . Can someone share videos or can o share videos for someone to help me understand the actual problem

[mcc...@gmail.com]

This all helped! I did all this and still would stop after 15 minutes. Then I noticed that the crutch was sitting outside the pendulum leader (hanger). I pit the crutch through slot on leader and then fixed timing my listening the equal time between tick and tock. At first it was going tick-tock--- tick-tock--- with he tick tock starting on the left away. I raised the right side of the clock until tick and tock spaces equal and BOOM.My click does not stop!!! THANKS!!!

[mcc...@gmail.com]

mine would stop after 15 minutes. Then I noticed that the crutch was sitting outside the pendulum leader (hanger). I put the crutch through slot on leader and then fixed timing by listening for equal time between tick and tock. At first it was going tick-tock--- tick-tock--- with he tick tock starting on the left sway. I raised the right side of the clock until tick and tock spaces equal and BOOM.My click does not stop!!!

[mcc...@gmail.com]

[mcc...@gmail.com]

[mcc...@gmail.com]

http://www.clockworks.com/ebook/main/

[mcc...@gmail.com]

http://www.clockworks.com/ebook/main/

[UsedClockParts.com]

On Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 11:10:10 AM UTC-5, siddha...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi I seem to have the same problem but cannot seem to sort it out can someone help me .... I have removed the clock out of the casing and trying to figure this out . Can someone share videos or can o share videos for someone to help me understand the actual problem

If it is a grandfather clock I would contact your local NAWCC chapter and have them recommend some one to do the service of setting up the clock. Here is a link to find the chapter: https://nawcc.org/index.php/chapter-information/find-a-chapter-near-you. If it is not a grandfather clock you can find alot of information on my site. Hope this helps Tim

[choris...@gmail.com]

No one has mentioned the crutch being loose this I often find with french movements if the crutch is unscrewed from the escapement pinion tightened a little and replaced will fix this must not be too tight to allow for finger pressure adjustment to put the clock in best

[hschl...@gmail.com]

On Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 1:08:24 AM UTC-5, mrlo...@gmail.com wrote:
> Mine is out of beat. I can hear it. How can I fix that?

The anchor can usually be slipped on the shaft in order to put it in beat. Trial and error but I can usually get it after a few tries.

[Thomas]

Not mention yet, other than beat be sure the weights are in the correct spot.
The weights are each a different weight.