How to Wind a Grandfather Clock
Look for the winding points., Obtain a clock crank or key of the correct size., Use the crank or key to wind the first weight., Repeat the process for the other winding points., If necessary, make adjustments carefully., Wind weekly, or as necessary.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look for the winding points.
If your grandfather clock is wound by a crank or a key, it should have one to three small holes on the clock face.
Most commonly, these are located near the 3 (III), the 9 (IX), the center, or anywhere in the lower half of the clock face.
If you do not see a hole, and your clock did not come with a crank or key, see the instructions for chain-wound clocks instead. -
Step 2: Obtain a clock crank or key of the correct size.
Newly purchased clocks of this type should come with a key or crank, but if you acquired a used clock, or misplaced the winding implement, you can find a new one online or from a clockmaker.
Open the door protecting the clock face, and measure the width of each hole precisely using a ruler or tape measure with a millimeter scale (mm), or preferably a set of calipers that can measure in
0.25 mm increments.Purchase a crank or key with this shaft width for safe and easy winding.
You may wish to purchase three or four winding implements in different sizes, in case your measurement was slightly off.
Note:
When purchasing a crank, make sure the length of the shaft is sufficient to raise the crank above the level of the clock hands, so you can turn it 360ยบ without damaging them.Some manufacturers sell keys in a numbered scale, rather than by shaft width.
However, there is no single industry-wide scale, so referring to the exact millimeter size is recommended., Gently push the shaft of the crank or key into any one of the winding holes.
It should be a snug fit, but do not force it in.
Gently hold the clock face steady with one hand, and use the other to gently turn the crank.
Try turning in both directions, and see which one moves smoothly; each individual clock winds either clockwise or counterclockwise.
One of the long weights lower down in the clock should rise as you turn.
Stop turning right before the weight touches the wooden "seat board," or when the key no longer easily turns.If you cannot turn the key easily, or you do not see a weight moving, check to see if one of the weights is already at the top.
If one or more of the chimes is turned off, the weight responsible for timing that chime will not fall, and does not need to be wound.
The weights are typically located above the pendulum.
You may or may not need to open the lowercase in order to see them. , If your clock has more than one weight, it should also have more than one winding point in the clock face.
Move the crank or key to the remaining winding points, turning it in each one until every weight is nearly touching the wooden board above it. , Now is a good time to check whether the clock is still displaying the correct time.
If not, you may physically move only the minute hand to the correct time, moving it clockwise only.
Always stop at the 12 (XII) and allow the clock to strike the hour before continuing.Do the same for other points if the clock chimes at additional times (typically the quarter hours at the 3, 6, and 9).
There are some clocks that can safely have their minute hand turned counterclockwise, but do not risk it unless you are certain.
If the minute hand "resists" attempts to move it clockwise, and can move smoothly counterclockwise, you may have an unusual model that should be adjusted counterclockwise.If your clock is running too fast or too slow, find the knob or nut at the bottom of the swinging pendulum.
Tighten it clockwise in order to slow the clock down, or loosen it counterclockwise to speed it up. , Almost all grandfather clocks are made to run for seven or eight days without winding, so winding them on the same day each week will ensure that it never stops.
If your clock stops before its regular winding time, however, you may need to wind it more frequently. -
Step 3: Use the crank or key to wind the first weight.
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Step 4: Repeat the process for the other winding points.
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Step 5: If necessary
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Step 6: make adjustments carefully.
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Step 7: Wind weekly
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Step 8: or as necessary.
Detailed Guide
If your grandfather clock is wound by a crank or a key, it should have one to three small holes on the clock face.
Most commonly, these are located near the 3 (III), the 9 (IX), the center, or anywhere in the lower half of the clock face.
If you do not see a hole, and your clock did not come with a crank or key, see the instructions for chain-wound clocks instead.
Newly purchased clocks of this type should come with a key or crank, but if you acquired a used clock, or misplaced the winding implement, you can find a new one online or from a clockmaker.
Open the door protecting the clock face, and measure the width of each hole precisely using a ruler or tape measure with a millimeter scale (mm), or preferably a set of calipers that can measure in
0.25 mm increments.Purchase a crank or key with this shaft width for safe and easy winding.
You may wish to purchase three or four winding implements in different sizes, in case your measurement was slightly off.
Note:
When purchasing a crank, make sure the length of the shaft is sufficient to raise the crank above the level of the clock hands, so you can turn it 360ยบ without damaging them.Some manufacturers sell keys in a numbered scale, rather than by shaft width.
However, there is no single industry-wide scale, so referring to the exact millimeter size is recommended., Gently push the shaft of the crank or key into any one of the winding holes.
It should be a snug fit, but do not force it in.
Gently hold the clock face steady with one hand, and use the other to gently turn the crank.
Try turning in both directions, and see which one moves smoothly; each individual clock winds either clockwise or counterclockwise.
One of the long weights lower down in the clock should rise as you turn.
Stop turning right before the weight touches the wooden "seat board," or when the key no longer easily turns.If you cannot turn the key easily, or you do not see a weight moving, check to see if one of the weights is already at the top.
If one or more of the chimes is turned off, the weight responsible for timing that chime will not fall, and does not need to be wound.
The weights are typically located above the pendulum.
You may or may not need to open the lowercase in order to see them. , If your clock has more than one weight, it should also have more than one winding point in the clock face.
Move the crank or key to the remaining winding points, turning it in each one until every weight is nearly touching the wooden board above it. , Now is a good time to check whether the clock is still displaying the correct time.
If not, you may physically move only the minute hand to the correct time, moving it clockwise only.
Always stop at the 12 (XII) and allow the clock to strike the hour before continuing.Do the same for other points if the clock chimes at additional times (typically the quarter hours at the 3, 6, and 9).
There are some clocks that can safely have their minute hand turned counterclockwise, but do not risk it unless you are certain.
If the minute hand "resists" attempts to move it clockwise, and can move smoothly counterclockwise, you may have an unusual model that should be adjusted counterclockwise.If your clock is running too fast or too slow, find the knob or nut at the bottom of the swinging pendulum.
Tighten it clockwise in order to slow the clock down, or loosen it counterclockwise to speed it up. , Almost all grandfather clocks are made to run for seven or eight days without winding, so winding them on the same day each week will ensure that it never stops.
If your clock stops before its regular winding time, however, you may need to wind it more frequently.
About the Author
Peter Allen
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow DIY projects tutorials.
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