The faster the pendulum swings, the faster the minute hand will turn. A basic principle of physics is that the length of a pendulum determines how fast it swings. A short pendulum swings faster than a long pendulum. You can remember this principle with the phrase "A SHORT DOG’S TAIL WAGS FASTER”
You can change the effective length of the pendulum by raising or lowering the pendulum bob on the pendulum stick. If you push the bob up, the clock will run faster. Lower it and the clock will run slower. If you turn the nut clockwise you will be raising the bob. If your clock runs too fast or slow, the best way to correct this problem is to set your clock to an accurate watch or clock.
After 24 hours, record how many minutes your clock is running too fast or slow. Then adjust the bob up or down the pendulum stick to change the pendulums effective length. You will need to take an educated guess as to the distance. Reset the clock minute hand time to your watch or clock again. Repeat this process every 24 hours, recording the results, and readjusting the bob until you are within 3 minutes of the correct time.
Then, switch from recording every day to recording every week. Use the same process described, recording the time difference, adjusting the bob up or down every week, until the clock is accurate within approximately 3 minutes per week. Remember, mechanical clocks are not as accurate as quartz or electric clocks! A three-minute error per week is not bad. Maybe you can do better.
My Clock Has Stopped! Can I Repair It Myself?
Many stopped clocks can be repaired by the owner. Here is a list of common problems you can resolve yourself. The following instructions are designed for Antique English or Scottish Grandfather clocks however they will work for lots of other clock repairs.
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Is the clock wound up? Dumb as that sounds I have been to service calls where a clock repair was achieved by simply winding the clock up.
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Are the clock hands touching each other? Touching hands are guaranteed to stop your clock! Look at the hour and minute hands closely. If they are touching, the time train may be jammed resulting in a pendulum that won't swing. To repair, push the hour hand slightly towards the dial in order to clear the minute hand (but make sure it doesn't touch the dial!). If they still touch, you can bend back the minute hand slightly towards you, allowing clearance. (but make sure it does not touch the glass)
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Are the clock hands touching the dial glass? A clock minute hand that touches the case glass will stop your clock. To repair, you need to bend the minute hand towards the dial and away from the glass (but make sure it does not catch on the hour hand!). Test it in four positions.
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Have you recently moved your clock? Clocks don't like to be moved! They get very temperamental when moved and show their displeasure by refusing to tick! The reason a clock pendulum stops swinging after being moved is because the clock case now leans at a slightly different angle then at its former location. Don't pay any attention to whether your clock is absolutely perpendicular to the floor! And don't use a level! Simply start your pendulum swinging, then listen carefully to the tick-tock sound. Lean the clock left or right slightly until the tick-tock sound seem more balanced? A clock is said to be in beat when the tick and the tock are even. A clock that is in beat would sound like Tick...tock ...tick...tock. A clock that is out of beat would sound like Tick..tock.....tick..tock. When you hear an even, balanced ticking, secure the clock at that angle to your wall with a bracket, or shim your clock feet. When the night shutoff is turned on the clock chimes at night but is silent during the day! Move your clock hands on 12 hours.
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The clock has been stopped for several days and now reads the wrong time how can I make it show the correct time. If your clock has a silent lever you should set your clock to silent then move the minute hand clockwise until the clock reads the correct time. If you do not have a silent lever move the hands clockwise pausing every chime or strike cycle until the correct time is reached.
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My moon dial does not show the correct phase of the moon! Determine the date of the last new moon link to full moon site . Calculate how many days have elapsed since the last new moon until today. Using a small amount of pressure to the moon dial, move it clockwise to indicate a new moon. Now move the dial clockwise one clock per day for the correct number of elapsed days from the new moon to today.
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My date indicator changes during the day! Advance the clock on 12 hours.
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My date dial shows the wrong date on my British Long case clock. Remove the hood. Using light pressure on the date disc move it clockwise to indicate the correct date. Replace the hood
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My clock chimes six and my hour hands show five. Move the hour hand to be in sync with the chimes.
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The hour hand has become loose and is constantly pointing at 6! This is a common problem and is very common on cuckoo clocks, however the fix is simple. The hour hands are held in place on a friction fit bushing to the hour pipe, so just push the hour hand in place and then move it to indicate the correct hour. On an English or Scottish grandfather clock this is not the case. Mostly the hour hand is screwed into place. If you have this problem and own an English and Scottish Grandfather clock then you should call a clock repair specialist.
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