Overwound long-case clock?
Question:I have a long-case (grandfather) clock made in 1790 which is key wound. The weights are suspended on nylon cord which has replaced the original rope carriers. The clock was badly overwound by a friend doing me a "favour" while I was in hospital. What can I do to restore it to normal working?? The weights were drawn up almost behind the face; I have lowered them almost to base level by gently nudging the pendulum and letting the clock run, but it only goes for about half an hour each time. What do I do?? My father used to repair these clocks, and restore them, and I know it is a fairly simple procedure,but cannot remember what he did! I really miss my gentle ticking friend.
Answers:
When the clock is overwound, it creates a great deal of power, which in turns creates more friction. With this, small bits of the brass and dust can cause the clock to stop. Generally, it is not possible to overwind a clock, because there are failsaife gears that would just keep spinning as the key does. (Very similar to the perpetual movement of a Rolex watch that cannot be overwound either), but because of the age on this one, releasing some of the tension might be the answer. I don't believe it has to do with where the weights are positioned, but more that it may need cleaning or as I said, releasing some of the tension.
If the clock is key wound, the weights should only be a decoration that moves as the springs, gears and wheels move. Otherwise, you would not need a key. The pin holes in the wood that hold these wheels can become oval in shape over time when overwound rather than circular and may cause the clock to stop in regularity as you have stated. However, if you can release some of this powerful tension of the main brass spring, it may still work fine.
Clocks that do rely on the weights (like chuckoo clocks) do not need a key. Clocks that use a key do not need weights. However both types of clocks typically will have a pendulum that releases the tension of the main spring. If yours has such a pendulum, you may want to try manually swinging the pendulum to release this excess tension. The pendulum moves a notched brass gear each time it swings. Even it it stops swinging, keep manually swinging the pendulum. Hopefully and eventually, you will release the tightness of the main coil and the clock will return to its normal working condition.
There may be two key holes as well. The other one is to regulate the timing, or your weights might be designed to do this. I could not say without seeing it. If the weights are designed to regulate the timing, then their positioning is crucial to accuracy of the clock.
In a similar clock that I have (an old railroad regulator clock), I keep the key inside the glass or on top so no one but me can use it. I hope this helps because I would like to know that this antiqute will continue to work for you.
Well, I have to agree with Elton on this . Your clock I'm sure needs to be cleaned and oiled. Try to keep the pendulum going,and that should start to loosen it. But I'm sure it needs cleaned. I have twenty seven clocks,which most of them are coo-coo clocks ,and range in price from five hundred to three thousand dollars. Believe me,they are really temperamental,and wont go if they are dirty. I would miss them very much if I didn't have them. There my company when the house is quiet,which is always. They spend more time at the Doctors than I do! Hope you take it in to get fixed soon. Bye
Since you cannot remember what your Dad would have done, I'd suggest getting it to a clockmaker/restorer and have it released professionally.
It's probably not going to cost very much and, given the age of the clock, better a professional does it right than a mistake is made that stops it altogether.
Your local historical society or national trust should be able to put you in touch with craftsmen who could help you.
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