Grandfather Clock Movement - 3 Types of Clock Movement

Long case clocks, tallcase clocks, and grandfather longcase clocks refer to the same thing. Grandfather clocks have many names and they happen to be among the ancient models existing today. A typical grandfather clock is tall, freestanding and its pendulum is fitted inside a lovely long narrow casing. The ancient clocks were plainly mechanical wooden boxes that covered a substantial floor space. The modern grandfather clocks are still big but the wall clock options are available. The shape of the clock face and case has been altered since the mid seventeenth century. Another element that has been changed over the years is the grandfather clock movement.

In the olden days, the longcase grandfather clocks were manufactured with two types of movements. There was the eight-day movement and the 30-hour or one-day movement.

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The eight-day movement

Grandfather Clock Movement - 3 Types of Clock Movement

This type of a clock movement would only require you to wide it once a week. Usually, an eight-day clock was run by two weights. One weight drove the pendulum and the other weight drove the striking mechanism. A striking mechanism consisted of chimes or a bell. On either side of the dial, were two keyholes used for the winding process. A great example of a clock that uses an eight-day movement is the Thomas Ross. Find this clock online and view its parts.

The one-day movement

The one-day or 30 hour movement required winding on a daily basis. The clocks using this movement had one weight to run both the striking mechanism and timekeeping system. These were certainly the inexpensive styles bought by those people who could not pay for the eight-day movement clocks. The manufacturers back then had found a way of making the one-day and eight-day look similar. A few 30-hour movement clocks had fake keyholes to imitate the eight-day two keyholes. The eight-day movement clocks were expensive.

Longcase clocks movement today

Most longcase clocks you are likely to get today have eight-day movement. Their weights are suspended using cables and they have a pulley system. Other clocks weights are suspended using chains and they have a gear system. The mechanical or the type of movement that involves weights, chains and a pendulum continues up to date. A company such as Hermle continues to manufacture grandfather clock movement for other watch companies.

The clocks that are not mechanical use electronic movement. They normally use what is called the quartz movement. Hermle specializes in quart movement as well. It can be described as a process through which electronic impulses pass from a battery via a quartz crystal. This powers the clock movement at frequent intervals. When an electric charge is applied to the quartz crystal it vibrates thus the battery charges it, which in turn moves the clock hands.

It as well drives the chimes and the pendulum. The movement made specifically by Hermle tends to last longer regardless of the mechanical or electronic style. There are many stores available on the Web that can sell movements to you. You may have to change the clock's weights and movement if they are faulty. You can find both the antique and contemporary grandfather clock movement fast and securely online.

Grandfather Clock Movement - 3 Types of Clock Movement

G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from grandfather wall clock to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!

Grandfather Clock Do It Yourself Repair - Part I

Grandfather clocks. Amazing pieces of machinery. Very few people understand how they work and even fewer know how to fix one, should something go wrong. Bringing to a repair shop is going to cost you an arm and a leg, so if you have a grandfather clock that's not exactly running up to snuff and you don't have the bucks to fix it, then you might want to try to tackle the job by yourself. In order to do that, aside from needing some mechanical expertise, you're going to need some troubleshooting tips, since these marvels can get pretty complicated. This article is going to cover some of the things to do when trying to fix the old man.

Let's start with the most common problem of a grandfather clock. The pendulum itself stops swinging.

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The first thing you have to do is make sure the clock weights have been pulled up. Sometimes all that needs to be done is simply wind the weights. This can really save an unnecessary repair.

Grandfather Clock Do It Yourself Repair - Part I

Next check the hands. Are they touching each other? If they are this will stop the pendulum from swinging. If they are touching and the time train is jammed all you need to do is push the hour hand slightly towards the dial in order to clear the minute hand. Just make sure it doesn't touch the dial.

Next, check to see if the hands are touching the glass. If they are, all you have to do is bend the minute hand away from the glass.

If by some chance you've recently moved your grandfather clock (they are very temperamental and don't like to be moved), the pendulum may have stopped swinging because the case is now leaning at a different angle. To fix this you simply have to start the pendulum swinging and balance your clock. Don't use a level. Continue testing until the swinging sounds more balanced. This requires a good ear and a lot of patience. Balancing the clock itself may require you to do one of several things.

First you may have to actually place something under the clock on either the left or right side to get the pendulum swinging just right. A bracket or shim will probably do the trick for this.

Second, you may have to actually tip the clock itself towards the wall so that it is slightly leaning. You have to be very careful when performing these tricky manoeuvres. You don't want to tip the clock too far in either direction or back. The clock may fall too far off balance and spill to the floor. Trying to catch one of these falling monsters is not easy so care is needed.

In the next article in this series we're going to continue with troubleshooting techniques to figure out just what is wrong with the old man, including running too fast or slow, weights not falling, chimes out of sequence and others. By the time we're done your grandfather clock should be as good as old.

Grandfather Clock Do It Yourself Repair - Part I

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Grandfather Clocks

The German Grandfather Clock Tradition

We expect a lot from our clocks. We expect them to be breathtakingly beautiful. We expect them to make a strong statement about our status in life. They should brighten our home with their elegance. Their rich chimes should fill our life with music. Above all else, though, they should be reliable and steadfast.

At some point, we've all heard the phrase that something works "like clockwork." That is how dependable we expect our clocks to be. We think of them as infallible. Clocks have become a symbol of everything strong and faithful. In fact, we put our lives in their hands, trusting them to keep us on time, on track, and on schedule. What could be a better symbol of steadfast loyalty than the grandfather clock? Standing well over 6 feet tall and constructed of solid wood, they are the very picture of faithful duty.

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In the world of grandfather clocks, German grandfather clocks are known to be well-made and valuable. They are among the most respected and trusted clocks of all. In fact, some of the most revered antique grandfather clocks are of German craft. Harfen-Gong grandfather clocks, for example, are German-made antiques. Many are still working today, which is further testimony to the quality of German craftsmanship. Another popular German clock was made by Berger & Wuerker in the early 1900s.

The German Grandfather Clock Tradition

German parts are often an intricate ingredient even in clocks made in other parts of the world. In any country, German movements are synonymous with quality and reliability. The oldest existing maker of mechanical movements is the Kieninger Clock Factory, founded in Germany in 1912 by Joseph Kieninger. Today, many of the world's best clocks, such as Howard Miller and Ridgeway, rely on the technology of German movements.

Though most grandfather clocks are not actually made in Germany today, the German technology is still the driving force behind some of the greatest and most valuable grandfather clocks on the market.

The German Grandfather Clock Tradition

Grandfather Clocks Info provides detailed information on antique, contemporary, discount, English, and German grandfather clocks, as well as kits and repair information. Grandfather Clocks Info is the sister site of Cuckoo Clocks Web.