The tradition of making clock requires winding in order to operate.Grandfather clocks are controlled by the movement of a pendulum in a tall case and the fall of weights.Follow the instructions to wind the clock.
Step 1: The points are winding.
One to three small holes on the clock face are what your grandfather clock should have.These can be found anywhere in the lower half of the clock face.If you don't see a hole, you should look at the instructions for chain-wound clocks instead.
Step 2: The clock crank or key should be the correct size.
If you own a used clock or misplace the winding implement, you can find a new clock online or from a clockmaker.To measure the width of each hole, open the door and use a ruler or tape measure with a millimeter scale, or a set of calipers that can measure in 0.25mm.For safe and easy winding, purchase a key or crank with this shaft width.If your measurement was off, you may want to purchase different sizes of winding implements.Make sure the length of the shaft is enough to raise the crank above the clock hands so you can turn it without damaging them.The keys are sold in a numbered scale, rather than by shaft width.Referred to the exact millimeter size is recommended because there is no single industry-wide scale.
Step 3: The first weight can be winded with the crank or key.
Push the shaft of the key or crank into the winding holes.Don't force it in, it should be a snug fit.Hold the clock face steady with one hand and turn the crank with the other.If you want to see which direction the clock moves in, try turning in both directions.As you turn, one of the long weights should rise.When the key is not easy to turn, stop turning right before the seat board.Check to see if one of the weights is already at the top if you cannot turn the key easily.The weight responsible for timing that chime will not fall if one or more of the chimes is turned off.The weights are on top of the pendulum.It's possible that you don't need to open the lowercase in order to see them.
Step 4: The process should be repeated for the other points.
The clock face should have at least one winding point if it has more than one weight.The wooden board above it is nearly touching the crank or key in each of the remaining winding points.
Step 5: Make adjustments if necessary.
It's a good time to check the time on the clock.If not, you can only move the minute hand clockwise.Stop at the 12 and allow the clock to strike the hour before continuing.If the clock goes off at additional times, you should do the same for other points.If you are certain, you should not risk turning the clock's minute handcounterclockwise.If the minute hand "resists" attempts to move it clockwise, you may have an unusual model that should be adjusted counterclockwise.The knob or nut at the bottom of the swinging pendulum is where you should find the clock running too fast or too slow.If you want to slow the clock down or speed it up, tighten it clockwise or counterclockwise.
Step 6: It's necessary to wind weekly.
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.You may need to wind your clock more frequently if it stops before its regular time.
Step 7: There are chains next to the weights.
The hanging weights in the clock case are protected by the door.Most clocks have one, two, or three weights, but there may be more on unusual models.The clock is probably chain-wound if you see a hanging chain next to each weight.If you can't find a chain or a winding hole in the clock face, ask someone to help you look, or go to a clock repair shop.
Step 8: Pull one of the chains.
A chain hangs next to a weight that isn't at the top of the case.Slowly pull down the chain.Continue until the weight is touching the board at the top of the case, or until you can't pull it at a gentle rate.Don't attach the weight to the chain if you want to pull it on.It doesn't matter which weight you are.
Step 9: The weights should be repeated with the other weights.
There is a chain for each weight.Pull on these until the weight touches the board above the weights.Once all the weights are in the top-most position, your clock is done.The clock's timekeeping is usually done by the center weight.The hour strike and the quarter-hour chime are controlled by other weights.
Step 10: If necessary, make adjustments.
If you need to set the time, use the minute hand instead of the hour hand.If you feel resistance in that direction, turn clockwise and use your hand to steady the clock face.Stop and wait for the clock to strike or time before moving the hand to avoid bending it or breaking it.A nut on the bottom of the pendulum can be loosened to speed up the clock.If you have to change the time every week or two, adjust this.