When you ask your pendulum a question it will either swing back and forth, side to side or in a clockwise or counter-clockwise circle. A back-and-forth movement generally means the answer is “yes.” If your pendulum swings in a clockwise direction means “yes”, a counterclockwise direction means “no”.

A pendulum is an object hung from a fixed point that swings back and forth under the action of gravity. The swing continues moving back and forth without any extra outside help until friction (between the air and the swing and between the chains and the attachment points) slows it down and eventually stops it.

A pendulum works by converting energy back and forth, a bit like a rollercoaster ride. If there were no friction or drag (air resistance), a pendulum would keep on moving forever. In reality, each swing sees friction and drag steal a bit more energy from the pendulum and it gradually comes to a halt.

Here is an extra fun fact. A pendulum with a length of 1 meter has a period of about 2 seconds (so it takes about 1 second to swing across an arc). This means that there is a relationship between the gravitational field (g) and Pi.

Stop the pendulum to move the pendulum bob up or down to change the pendulum’s effective length. If the clock is running fast, move the bob down or turn the nut to the left. If the clock is running slow, move the bob up or turn the nut to the right. Restart the pendulum and reset the clock hands to the proper time.

Mantel clock Chime Adjustment

1. When your mantel clock chimes, count the number of times it chimes.
2. Move the hour hand to the hour indicated by the hourly chime (count the number of gongs at the hour).
3. Reset the time using the minute hand to the correct hour and the chime should adjust along with the clock hands as well.

When you add a weight to the bottom of the pendulum on the right, you make it heavier. When you add a weight to the middle of the other pendulum, however, you effectively make it shorter. Shorter pendulums swing faster than longer ones do, so the pendulum on the left swings faster than the pendulum on the right.

What if my mechanical clocks will not chime or strike? Make sure that the strike on/off lever is not in the “strike off” position or halfway between positions. Make sure that the movement is not in the “night off” position. Make sure that all the packing material is removed from the movement area.

Most likely problem: In actual fact it is almost impossible to overwind a clock. Once the coils of a flat mainspring are in firm contact with one another, than the spring can not be physically wound any tighter. The only way to truly overwind a clock spring is to turn it so tightly that the spring actually breaks.

The weights on my grandfather clock aren’t coming down evenly. If your clock is not silenced, or doesn’t have that feature, check to see that the weights are hanging on the correct chains or pulleys. The heavier weight should be on the right hand side as you face the clock.

Setting the time on your grandfather clock. To set the time, move ONLY THE MINUTE HAND counter Clockwise (backwards) until hour and minute hand are at the correct time. DO NOT MOVE THE HOUR HAND WHEN SETTING THE TIME. The hour hand will move automatically when the minute hand is moved.

If you try to force it you will damage the mechanism, so be smart and don’t do it! Clocks that cannot be backset are set by moving the minute hand clock-wise only. If you have a striking clock that cannot be set backwards you should stop at each striking point, always the hour and sometimes the half hour.

every seven days

time spring hole

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.

retard/advance

Two Winding Holes This is a ‘time and strike’ clock. The hole on the right is used to power the time train and make the clock keep time. The hole on the left is used to power the strike train, which make the clock strike at the top of the hour. Some of these clocks will also strike once at the half-hour.

Mantel Clock Setup: Place clock on table with back facing you. Open the back door, hang the pendulum on the hook, and close the door. Carefully place the clock where it is to be used, on a stable, level surface. Lift one side of the clock gently two inches, then put it down to start the pendulum swinging.

Taking care of your mechanical clock When you do wind your clock, just make sure you have a tight fitting key and that it is inserted all the way. Turn the key slowly and just a half turn at a time. Wind it up until it stops. Do not try to force it to wind any further.

mainsprings: The mainspring is the heart of the timekeeping of any spring drive clock. If the mainspring is not oiled properly the clock will not work. The oil that is used is absolutely critical ; it must be able to work in a slow moving environment and it must be able to resist evaporation for many years.

When battery operated clocks stop working, it’s usually caused by one or more of the batteries. Either a battery has lost its charge, or battery acid has leaked, causing corrosion. Repair of a battery operated clock typically comes down to the batteries and the battery compartment, making the fix simple.

What do I do if my new clock is suddenly losing time? That is usually the sign of a worn-out battery. A quartz clock will keep good time until it stops. Near the end of the battery’s life, the clock can stop, rest, then restart, making it seem like it is running slow.

There are several reasons why a clock keeps stopping. It may have worn out parts, broken parts, or simply need a good cleaning. The loudness of the ticking will vary among clocks, but a clock in beat will produce a even “tick tock” sound. The “tick” and the “tock” will have an even rhythm between them.