A Bit About Grandfather Clock Movements

Grandfather clock cases are beautiful to look at and what make the clock aesthetically pleasing but it is the grandfather clock movements that help it keep time in order for you to hear those beautiful chimes. Movements can be chain driven or cable driven, but a chain driven movement is often preferred because the chain can be changed out by anyone whereas a cable driven one needs to be taken to a clock repair man in order to be replaced.

Cable driven grandfather clocks come in many shapes styles and price ranges and are wound with a crank or key which you insert into a hole that sets the weights. The chain driven clocks also come in many styles but these are wound by pulling on the chain into you have the week in the correct position. When you are winding your clock or doing anything with the clock movements, you need to be aware that these parts of the clock can be a bit delicate and you want to handle them with care.

One of the most important parts of the grandfather clock movement is the pendulum and these can actually come in different sizes. If your grandfather clock is not keeping good time, one of the things you want to do is check the pendulum. Here, you want to locate the week that which is just below the bob. If the clock is running too fast, gently turn the rate nut to the left. This will cause the bob to move downward thus slowing the motion of the pendulum. If the clock is running too slow, then you have the opposite problem and want to speed up the movement of the pendulum so turn the nut to the right. Now you need to weed it a to check how this has affected a time keeping up the clock. You may need to make a few adjustments before you get it just right.

The weights are another important element of the movement and they provide the power that runs the clock. While the weights might all look the same, they don't weigh the same because they have a lead or steel piece inside them that is of different heights. Of course, this means that you have to be very careful when you're hanging your weights because it's hard to tell which one goes where. The chime, time and strike trains in the clock were all calibrated to have a certain week hanging from them, so if you do not put the right weight on the right chain your clock will won't run right.

The grandfather clock movements inside your clock are very precise pieces of the clock and need to be treated with care. If you're unsure of where to hang them, then call a clock repairman so you can get your clock in perfect working order without damaging it.