How to Hang Weights on a Grandfather Clock?

Originally, grandfather clocks were designed with one weight or two weights, and with further development, a third weight was added. Each weight has a different task. 

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Grandfather Clock Weight Placement: 

Grandfather Clock with Different Number of Weights

Grandfather clocks with one weight have a strike only on an hour which indicates that this is a 30-hour clock. It needs winding everyday and has only one winding hole because it uses the same weight for timekeeping and for the strike. Due to this, these grandfather clocks are less expensive. 

Grandfather clocks with two weights are often called an 8-day clock. In addition to the weight that powers the clock, this kind of grandfather clock has a separate weight to drive the striking mechanism of the chimes. Eight day grandfather clocks require two winding holes to wind the weights to their initial position with the help of a winding ‘key’. 

Grandfather clocks with three weights mean that there is an additional 1/4-hour strike. Similar to the two weight clocks, it should be wound back every week.  Nowadays, most grandfather clocks have three weights with separate purposes. The weight on the right powers the clock, the weight on the middle drives the pendulum, the weight on the left controls the striking mechanism.

How to Hand Weights on Grandfather Clocks that Require Weights Suspended from a Pulley and Cable?

When you set your clock up in a secure position, do not remove the styrofoam blocks until after your clock has been operating. You can remove the styrofoam blocks AFTER they become loose through normal operation, which typically occurs after eight (8) hours of run time.

Most clocks use three weights. The bottom of each weight is labeled as to its proper hanging position as you view your clock from the front. The total weight of each weight is slightly different and each WEIGHT MUST BE INSTALLED IN ITS CORRECT LOCATION FOR THE CLOCK TO OPERATE PROPERLY. Check the weights to ensure that they are tightly assembled.

Check to make sure that the cable is in the cable pulley. Hang the weights on the pulleys.

NEVER wind a cable drive movement without weights installed.

How to Hand Weights Grandfather Clocks that Require Weights Suspended from a Chain?

Most clocks use three weights. The bottom of each weight is labeled as to its proper hanging position as you view your clock from the front. The total weight of each weight is slightly different and each WEIGHT MUST BE INSTALLED IN ITS CORRECT LOCATION FOR THE CLOCK TO OPERATE PROPERLY. Check the weights to ensure that they are tightly assembled.

Ensure that each link of each chain is properly positioned on the teeth of the sprocket. Hang each weight on the solid hook at the end of the chain, never on the chain links.

How to Raise Grandfather Clock Weights?

The weights must be raised every seven (7) days or the clock will stop.

Grandfather Clock: Cables with Pulleys

Weights that are suspended by cables with pulleys should be raised by using the crank provided. DO NOT lift the weights by hand while cranking. Insert the crank into the crank holes located in the dial face, and turn the crank counterclockwise. This will raise the weights.

Grandfather Clock: Chains

IMPORTANT: PULL STRAIGHT DOWN ON THE CHAIN. DO NOT lift up on the weights as this could cause the weights to come unhooked from the chains. Pull down on the loose end of the chain until the weight is approximately 2” from the bottom of the wood movement mounting board.

Why Do Grandfather Clock Weights Do Not Drop at the Same Level?

When the automatic nighttime shutoff feature is selected, and on some models the “silent” feature, it is normal that the center weight will drop at a faster rate than the other weights.

Does a Grandfather Clock with Quartz Movement have Weights?

Some clocks have decorative chains and weight shells. The chains are used to support the decorative weight shells, and have been secured for shipment in a bag and are located directly under the quartz movement. As you remove the chains from the bag, please notice each chain has a hook at the end. These hooks are used to hang the decorative weight shells.

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