
In the majority of cases, a grandfather clock plays a part of the entire melody as a chime every 15 minutes in an hour. How do I sync my clock chimes? Count the number of strikes and then carefully move the smaller or hour hand (grasp the smaller hand near the center arbor when turning) to that number on the dial.
Full Answer
How do you set the chime on a grandfather clock?
Step 1: When Grandfather Clock chimes at 1:10 stop the pendulum and record the time of 1:10. Step 2: Carefully remove the small nut. Step 3: Remove the minute hand. Grip the bushing by its sides and turn the hand forward 5 minutes. Step 4: Reattach the hand so it points to 1:15. Attach the hand nut finger tight. Step:5 Snug up the hand nut.
How do you fix a chime on a clock that keeps time?
If Your Clock Is Chiming Exactly 15 or 30 Minutes Off 1) Wait for the clock to strike the hour and count the hour regardless of what the hands indicate. 2) Stop the pendulum. 3) Carefully remove the small nut, a remove the minute hand. 4) Reattach the hand so it points straight up. 5) Attach the hand nut finger tight, then an additional 1/8 turn.
How do you synchronize two trains on a chiming clock?
If your clock has two trains, you’ll usually only need one revolution of the minute hand to return each of the striking train components to their correct starting position. Now that the hour hand is correctly positioned, you can reinstall the minute hand to synchronize it with the chiming or striking mechanism.
How to maintain a grandfather clock?
However, they require more careful maintenance than other kinds of clocks. In order to set the correct time and pendulum beat of a grandfather clock, make sure that it is on level ground. Then, carefully adjust the hands until they show the right time and set the pendulum swinging.

How do I get the chimes to match time on my grandfather clock?
0:000:30Hour Strike Adjustment.mpg - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipExample if your clock is two o'clock. But it just struck three take the hour hand and move it toMoreExample if your clock is two o'clock. But it just struck three take the hour hand and move it to three then take your minute hand and go counterclockwise. Only back to the correct time.
How do you sync the chimes on a pendulum clock?
Strike Synchronization using hands: Move the minute hand clockwise until it passes the number 12 and the clock strikes. Count the number of times the clock strikes, then move the hour hand to the number the clock just struck.
Why does my grandfather clock chime the wrong time?
If many grandfather clocks are allowed to wind down so the weights are on the bottom and the grandfather clock pendulum stops, this may happen. During the first hour after completing this procedure, the quarter-hour chimes may do strange sequences. Don't worry, as it should correct itself in about an hour of operation.
How do you correct a clock that is striking the wrong number?
Count the chimes and gently move the hour hand into the correct position. For example, if the clock chimes three times, move the hour hand to the three. Now, your clock is chiming correctly, but it tells the wrong time. To make this adjustment, wind the minute hand clockwise until it shows the present time.
Can you turn clock hands backwards?
The truth is, some mechanical clocks cannot be set backwards, but most actually can! So why is this such a common misconception? Many of the American clocks made around the turn of the century were the kind that you can't turn backwards.
Why is only the middle weight dropping on grandfather clock?
If the weight in the middle is moving downward and the left and right weights are not, this simply means your chimes are turned off. There is usually a lever on the side of the dial for chime on / chime off. Set this to “chime on” and your left and right weights will start moving downward over the course of a week.
How do you calibrate a grandfather clock?
To speed the Grandfather Clock up, move the pendulum disk up by turning the adjustment nut to the right....Check correct time.Compare time shown on your Grandfather Clock with the correct time. ... Turn the adjustment nut on the pendulum one complete. ... Check correct time.More items...•
How do I reset my grandfather clock?
1:263:20How to easily wind & set your vintage grandfather clock - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMoving it over and letting. It find its way back and forth. Now the movement of the pendulum. We'llMoreMoving it over and letting. It find its way back and forth. Now the movement of the pendulum. We'll start to get the clock ticking. It's on nice solid ground here.
How do you reset a pendulum clock?
Hands Stuck Free the hands to restart the clock. Move the pendulum back and forth with your fingers. If you don't hear a ticking sound, the clock's hands are probably stuck. Gently move the hands with a finger to see if they are touching the dial, the glass or each other.
How do you calibrate a chiming clock?
Adjusting the Hourly ChimeWhen your mantel clock chimes, count the number of times it chimes. ... Move the hour hand to the hour indicated by the hourly chime (count the number of gongs at the hour).Reset the time using the minute hand to the correct hour and the chime should adjust along with the clock hands as well.
How do you reset the chimes on a pendulum clock?
0:313:51How to Fix Clock that Doesn't Chime on the Correct Minute - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSort of let the hand you know sort of sway back and forth and stop in the middle and you tighten itMoreSort of let the hand you know sort of sway back and forth and stop in the middle and you tighten it up and run it up to the top of the hour and it should hit on the dot.
How do you regulate a pendulum clock?
0:182:39How to Regulate Pendulum Clocks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost clock pendulums have a nut located just below the bottom and turning this to the right willMoreMost clock pendulums have a nut located just below the bottom and turning this to the right will raise it. It's important to only turn it one full turn one 360 degree spin at a time.
What are the three winding holes on a clock?
The middle hole will wind the spring that powers the timekeeping function of the clock. The right hole, as you're looking at the clock, powers the chimes of the clock. Finally, the left winding hole, as you're looking at the clock, powers the hourly strikes of the clock.
How many times does my grandfather clock chime?
My grandfather clock is short by one chime on hours 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12; however, it chimes correctly on hours 1-7. For example, at 7 o’clock it chimes 7 times. At 8, it chimes 7 times, at 9, 8 chimes and so on. It has worked fine for years; but just recently began dropping a chime on the 8-12th hours.
How long does it take for a clock chime to sync?
If you set your chime on silent, you will not need to stop at each quarter hour on most clocks. When you turn your chime back on later, it may take an hour or so for the clock chime to sync again so it will be playing at the correct time.
What does the weight on the right of a grandfather clock do?
On all grandfather clocks, The weight on the right powers the chime melody which is usually a Westminster melody or some grandfather clocks will add two additional chime melodies that may play. The weight in the middle powers the clock and the weight on the left powers your hour count.
What happens if you wind down a grandfather clock?
If many grandfather clocks are allowed to wind down so the weights are on the bottom and the grandfather clock pendulum stops, this may happen. During the first hour after completing this procedure, the quarter-hour chimes may do strange sequences. Don’t worry, as it should correct itself in about an hour of operation.
How to correct a clock that is chiming 15 minutes off?
Hi…If your clock is chiming 15 minutes off all of the time, you may correct it by removing the minute hand and repositioning the minute hand to the correct position.
How often should I clean my grandfather clock?
Your chime hammers on the hour count (left) side are trying to move through the sludge of the old oils. The clock should be oiled or cleaned and oiled every 5 – 7 years. I would suggest finding a technician and treat the grandfather clock to a good cleaning and oiling and I bet it will be fine.
What time do clock hands indicate?
the clock hands indicate 10:00, but the clock strikes 12:00. Move the hour hand (the small one) to the 12:00 position and your clock chimes will be correct and in sync. Set your time as you always do to the correct time using your minute hand and you are done. Good Luck…Robert.
How to remove hand nut from clock?
Remove the hand nut and both hands from the clock by pulling them straight forward gently. If your movement has three gear trains (look at the dial and count how many winding stems it has to see if your mechanical movement has two or three gear trains), reinstall the minute hand and slowly turn it clockwise several full terms, ...
How many revolutions does a clock need?
If your clock has two trains, you’ll usually only need one revolution of the minute hand to return each of the striking train components to their correct starting position. Now that the hour hand is correctly positioned, you can reinstall the minute hand to synchronize it with the chiming or striking mechanism.
What to do when the grandfather clock starts to chime?
1. When the Grandfather Clock starts to chime, stop the pendulum and record the time.
How to stop grandfather clock from chiming?
2. Using pliers, carefully remove the small nut that holds the minute hand in place by turning the nut counter Clockwise while at the same time hold the minute hand with your fingers near the small nut. 3.
How to fix a grandfather clock that strikes the wrong time?
1) When your grandfather clock strikes the next hour, count the number of strikes. 2) Move only the shorter hour hand to the number on the dial that you just counted when the clock chimed.
How to reset a clock with a pendulum?
1) Wait for the clock to strike the hour and count the hour regardless of what the hands indicate. 2) Stop the pendulum. 3) Carefully remove the small nut, a remove the minute hand. 4) Reattach the hand so it points straight up. 5) Attach the hand nut finger tight, then an additional 1/8 turn.
What is a grandfather clock chime?
Grandfather Clock Chime Issues. When a grandfather clock has issues with the chime functioning these are some basic corrections. The chime is the song that plays every 15 minutes and not to be confused with the strike. The strike is what calls out the hours after it is done with the chime song.
How long does a German clock chime?
Please note that post WW2 German mechanical clocks are designed so that if turning the hands fast or stop the clock for a long while it may not chime for up to 3/4 of an hour. This is because the clock is looking for the top of the hour so it does not lose its place as to when to chime.
Why are my Westminster clocks silent?
There may be a switch at the 3 o'clock and this switch turns the chimes on or off. If the clock is a triple chime movement, meaning it has three songs, it will have the song selection and also silent on this switch. The movement may have this switch but the dial may not have a slot to get at it on some Westminster only units. If this is the situation access it from the back of the clock instead. Not all movements have the silence switch. So if there is no switch then this cannot be the reason for no chimes.
How to check the weight of a clock?
This is the chime side of the clock and requires the heaviest weight of them all. Check the cables or chains that they are not rubbing anything on their way down to the weight. In other words, the chains or cables do not rub the seat board, pinch or wrap around the movement pillar, or anything like this. They should be straight from the ratchet wheel or cable drum and straight down to the clock weight with nothing rubbing. If the cable or chain is rubbing something it will cause resistance. Resistance is what makes a clock stop because there is not enough weight to drive through whatever is rubbing. So if the chain or cable is rubbing something it's the same as not having the right amount of weight on the clock.
Why does my clock not chime?
If the clock does not chime it will not strike, so therefore the clock remains silent. This being a mechanical clock, it has no sensors to determine on its own what is night or day. Solution is to go around 12 hours with the clock hands.
Why does a clock stop?
Resistance is what makes a clock stop because there is not enough weight to drive through whatever is rubbing. So if the chain or cable is rubbing something it's the same as not having the right amount of weight on the clock.
How to do a minute hand in chess?
Go forward with the minute hand with fingers while going slow past the quarters. A faint click can be heard and at that point pause and see if it starts chiming. If it does not chime go forward to the next and the next quarter. If the minute hand goes all the way around for an hour with no chime, continue to the next section.
How to set grandfather clock?
In order to set the correct time and pendulum beat of a grandfather clock, make sure that it is on level ground. Then, carefully adjust the hands until they show the right time and set the pendulum swinging. Make sure that the pendulum continues to swing freely and evenly and the hands show the correct time. If not, a small adjustment is usually all that is necessary for your clock to keep accurate time.
How long does it take for a grandfather clock to adjust?
Give your clock a few hours to self-adjust. If you recently set up your grandfather clock, it may need an hour or two for the mechanism to adjust. Check on your clock after about two hours to see if the issue has resolved.
How to slow down a pendulum?
Tighten or loosen the pendulum if the clock is gaining or losing time. At the bottom of the pendulum is a bob with a small nut underneath. Turn the nut to the right very slightly to speed up the clock. Turn the nut to the left to slow the clock down.
How to stop a clock from touching?
If they are touching something, hold the hand of the clock with two fingers near the center. Use your other hand or a needle-nose plier to gently pull it away from whatever it is touching.
How to keep grandfather clock accurate?
1. Place your clock on a level surface. Grandfather clocks rely on gravity to keep accurate time. If your clock is on a surface that tilts it in one direction, this will throw off the timekeeping mechanisms. Try adjusting your carpet or bringing the clock away from the wall.
How to set the clock back to the time?
In order to set the time without playing the melody, move the minute hand counterclockwise. Winding the minute hand 1 full rotation counterclockwise will set the c lock back by 1 hour. Do not move the hour hand.
How to wind a clock?
1. Wind your clock and start the pendulum. In order to wind your clock, determine if your clock is crank-wound or chain-wound. Look at the face of your clock. If there are 1-3 small holes, these are winding points for a crank. Insert the crank and wind either clockwise or counterclockwise, whichever feels most smooth.
How to reset grandfather clock?
1) Wait for the next hour count on your grandfather clock. 2) Count the number of hours the grandfather clock chimes. 3) With your finger, move only the hour hand (the short one) to the number of the hour count. It doesn’t matter which way you move it. 4) Reset the time on the grandfather clock to the correct time.
How to fix a grandfather clock that has a frozen hour hand?
Most hour hands on grandfather clocks are simply friction held. If the hour hand feels loose, try pushing it back from the center back onto the shaft and it should become tighter.
Why does my grandfather clock stop?
Sometimes if a grandfather clock is allowed to wind down so the weights are on the bottom and the grandfather clock pendulum stops , this can happen.
