Grandfather clock issues

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: IAMTAT

originally posted by: DBCowboy
During my cold and stay at home until I'm better, my wife had to get out of the house to get away from my whining.

While she was out she went to an estate sale and purchased a Howard Miller "Tempus Fugit" clock. It was made in 1982 according to the brass plate.

I reassembled the clock and got it going but the pendulum stops after just a few minutes.

The clock is on an even surface, is level.

Does it just need a good cleaning?

Could have a broken winding coil inside. I've had that problem with mine...although it's a good century older.
Does your GF clock have weights to wind up?

Yes, it's a 3-weight clock.

So...Westminster chimes.
Love the sound of them late at night.
As to repair...can get pricy....but you've got it for a good price already...so repair is worth it.

originally posted by: IAMTAT

originally posted by: DBCowboy
During my cold and stay at home until I'm better, my wife had to get out of the house to get away from my whining.

While she was out she went to an estate sale and purchased a Howard Miller "Tempus Fugit" clock. It was made in 1982 according to the brass plate.

I reassembled the clock and got it going but the pendulum stops after just a few minutes.

The clock is on an even surface, is level.

Does it just need a good cleaning?

Could have a broken winding coil inside. I've had that problem with mine...although it's a good century older.
Does your GF clock have weights to wind up?

I think the coil is fine because it does keep good time while the pendulum is swinging

originally posted by: IAMTAT

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: IAMTAT

originally posted by: DBCowboy
During my cold and stay at home until I'm better, my wife had to get out of the house to get away from my whining.

While she was out she went to an estate sale and purchased a Howard Miller "Tempus Fugit" clock. It was made in 1982 according to the brass plate.

I reassembled the clock and got it going but the pendulum stops after just a few minutes.

The clock is on an even surface, is level.

Does it just need a good cleaning?

Could have a broken winding coil inside. I've had that problem with mine...although it's a good century older.
Does your GF clock have weights to wind up?

Yes, it's a 3-weight clock.

So...Westminster chimes.
Love the sound of them late at night.
As to repair...can get pricy....but you've got it for a good price already...so repair is worth it.

Yeah, I'm willing to pour a little money into it.

It's a nice clock!

(my first)

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: chr0naut

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: Lumenari

How do you "wind" it? It's a 3 weight clock with a pendulum.

With a 'weight' clock, you pull the weights to the top. As the weights 'fall' they drive the escapement.

It's what I did.

It does sound like it needs oil. You need some fine grade light machine oil, not something too viscous.

Also, if it is a good mechanism, you might find that it has 'jeweled' bearings.

These are like little inset bits of ruby with a tiny hole in the center. The gear shafts are pointed at each end and slot into the hole.

These bearings are very low friction but are physically fragile.

The ruby isn't likely to decay but the pointy ends of the gear shaft can oxidize and swell. Normally in operation, the ends are kept clean but after some time without moving can seize. Be very gentle with them because they will clean up fairly quickly in use after you get them 'started'.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: FauxMulder

I already tore the hell out of youtube just assembling it!

Hmmmm. If these guys don't help, refer back to step 2.

a reply to: DBCowboy

One possibility is that one or more of your weights was wound too tight/high.
Try to release them all a bit from the top...and start the pendulum again.

Another possibility is that the initial swing wasn't straight (side-to-side).

Good advice: Never touch the brass weights or face with bare hands. Oil in fingers will harm the finish.

originally posted by: IAMTAT


Good advice: Never touch the brass weights or face with bare hands. Oil in fingers will harm the finish.

Yeah, already screwed the pooch on that one.

a reply to: DBCowboy

You let your wife bring that haunted beast into the house?

Don't you know that is how all the horror movies start?

True story, I was very interested in buying a house.
It was beautiful, totally empty except for a grandfather clock.

As I was leaving the showing, dummmmm dummmmm dummmmm from the ol' clock.
The sound reverberated in my soul, I knew that place was haunted.

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: DBCowboy

You let your wife bring that haunted beast into the house?

Don't you know that is how all the horror movies start?

True story, I was very interested in buying a house.
It was beautiful, totally empty except for a grandfather clock.

As I was leaving the showing, dummmmm dummmmm dummmmm from the ol' clock.
The sound reverberated in my soul, I knew that place was haunted.

lolz

We talked about it, only fresh dead people will start the clock. . . .

*eyes hatchet at corner of room. . . . . *

a reply to: DBCowboy

If the clock is stopping always at the same time, it's trying to give you a message from the afterlife. Something happened at that time and I'm sorry but you might be next.

BUHAHAHA

Clock oil has been ordered!

Thanks Amazon!

We'll find out next week if it just needs a good lube.

originally posted by: Trueman
a reply to: DBCowboy

If the clock is stopping always at the same time, it's trying to give you a message from the afterlife. Something happened at that time and I'm sorry but you might be next.

BUHAHAHA

Not so far. . .


*looking skeered*

Get a very bright lamp and point it directly at the face of the clock. Say in a sinister voice, "Ve have vays of making you tock." Keep the lamp in it's face and make it sweat for a while. Don't give in to it's requests for a cigarette or a drink.

If that doesn't work, get a hammer and smash an old worthless watch in front of the clock for a demonstration of what will happen if it doesn't start working.

originally posted by: beyondknowledge
Get a very bright lamp and point it directly at the face of the clock. Say in a sinister voice, "Ve have vays of making you tock."

If that doesn't work, get a hammer and smash an old worthless watch in front of the clock for a demonstration of what will happen if it doesn't start working.

I've already raped my alarm clock in front of it.

No change.

My wife is talking to a lawyer though.

a reply to: DBCowboy

Many clocks that use weights and pendulums are oiled and that oil attracts dust.

Mix dust with oil and you get a sticky gunk buildup.

My suggestion is talk to a local jeweler.
They tend to work on watches and can also do clocks or at least know how to direct you.

a reply to: DBCowboy

Next week?! I don't have the patience for that. Do you have some gun oil? Go pull the dip stick out if your car and start smacking those clock gears with it.

Don't you know how to redneck?

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: strongfp
a reply to: DBCowboy

Bottom out the weight(s) and give it a full wind up. If that doesn't work usually there's a nut at the bottom of the pendulum that might be too tight or too loose.

The one I grew up with had these issues from time to time. They are a very, slow, and patient type of hobby that you only realize needs attention when you stop hearing it tick.

I adjusted the pendulum but I really think it needs oiled, maybe?

Adjust the feckin' pendulum weight until it responds in time extension..ad infinitum

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: Trueman
a reply to: DBCowboy

If the clock is stopping always at the same time, it's trying to give you a message from the afterlife. Something happened at that time and I'm sorry but you might be next.

BUHAHAHA

Not so far. . .


*looking skeered*

Pay attention to the lyrics

a reply to: DBCowboy

I used to play around with Mechanical pocket watches.
I know the basics around the gearing and Springs.
But I’ve never got my hands into a Grand Daddy clock.

Curious as to find out what the issue is.
Please update when you found the fix.

a reply to: Macenroe82

Will do.

It's my new home project.