Grandfather Clock Guide

Types of Grandfather Clocks

• The two basic types of grandfather clocks are cable- and chain-driven. Chain-driven clocks are wound up by pulling the chains so the weights are at the top of the clock, while cable-driven clocks are wound with a key. With proper winding, the clock will operate on an 8-day, 30-day or even a 12-month schedule, depending upon the make of clock. Proper leveling of the grandfather clock is needed during setup to ensure that the weights drop with precision and the clock keeps accurate time. Many manufacturers provide a video or detailed instructions on proper setup and maintenance.

Clock Chimes

• Modern grandfather clocks chime on the hour and half-hour marks. Some manufacturers, such as Howard Miller, give you the option of turning off the chimes during evening and nighttime hours. The music plays at the top of every hour and can also be turned off. More expensive models of grandfather clocks offer a selection of music to play on the hour. The most common melody played is the Westminster chimes, which comes from the clock at London's House of Parliament. This is followed closely by the Winchester melody from the Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire, England. Another popular melody known as Whittington is from the Church of St. Mary Le Bow, located in Cheapside, London. The church bell melody of St. Michael's in Charleston, South Carolina, dating back to 1764, is also popular among grandfather clock chimes.

Features

• The faceplate of the grandfather clock shows the numeric times and may also include moon and star movements, which show the phases of the moon. The top of the grandfather clock is known as the crown and can be flat, a bonnet, a federal or a split pediment. The split pediment looks like a section of wood curling around a single wooden spindle called a finial. The bonnet is a rounded crown, and the federal is shaped like a roof peak. The round disk at the base of the pendulum is called the bob and is often constructed of brass. You can access the clockworks through a side panel located on one side of the clock face.

Maintenance

• Your grandfather clock must be dusted and kept free of debris to keep it working well. At least once a year, contact your dealer to have the clock serviced. The technician will clean and oil the clockworks to ensure that the clock keeps accurate time and continues to function without problems. Your dealer can also provide you with information about polishing the weights, pendulum and bob. Use a fine wood polish to maintain the exterior of the clock. Take care when using spray polishes that the chemicals do not go into the access panel, as this could damage the clockworks.