Setting Up Your Clock

Setting Up Your Clock

We have created this page for guidance on how to set up your clock. We would always advise that you refer to the manufactures guidelines for the clock that you have purchased.

How to set up and assemble a Grandfather and a Floor clock
 
To set up a Grandfather or a Floor clock, first you need to position your clock case where you like to stay and wedge it tightly up against the wall.  This will mean wedging a packing piece near the top between the backboard of the clock and the wall to fill the gap caused by your skirting board at ground level.  Your clock case may have a wooden batten on the upper backboard so that this can lean against the wall.  A clock that can wobble may keep stopping, so the case must be firmly positioned against the wall.
 
Another option of securing it in position is to screw the case to the wall.  If you do plan to screw the case to the wall, however don’t full tighten the screw to the wall yet as the case will still need to be levelled.
  
With a sprit level and the clock case in position against the wall, check the case is level.  If the case is too far back the pendulum will bump against the backboard and if too far forward the weights will it the door when they are fitted.  Also the side to side needs to be levelled. If necessary, small packing wedges can be fitted under the feet, to level the case.
 
Set the clock movement in position in the case and secure as necessary.  Hang on the weights first as this adds additional weight and holds the movement in place if the movement just sits on a wooden board.  Remember first to make sure the gut or the chain is the correct position over the winding barrels before fitting the weights and the pulley wheels. 

Next is to fit the pendulum, and this fits at the back of the clock movement, and slides through an opening called the fork within the suspended rod at the back of the movement, which is called the crutch.  The pendulum hangs from the suspension spring and this allows the pendulum to swing freely.  This can be quite tricky getting the pendulum in place. It will fit and the key is not to force it as this could damage the escapement.

Once the pendulum is in place, give it a gentle push side to side and see what happens. If the crutch is set correctly, the clock should run.  If not the crutch may have been bent in transit from its true position, and if so, this will cause the clock to keep stopping.  Don’t worry this is quite normal.  The clock is out of beat.  You will now need to re-set the crutch by bending it very gently to the left or right in the middle of its length, not at the top as you make break the joint.  You will need to use both of your hands, one to support and stop the crutch from moving and the other to make the slight bend. This may take two or three attempts on a trial and error basis.  Always refer to the manufacturers setting up instructions when adjusting a clock in beat.
 
When the clock is in beat it will tick evenly from left to right, the time lapse between ticks is being about equal and regular, just like somebody walking for example.  A clock 'out of beat' will tick unevenly, like somebody walking with a limp, with each tick alternately long and short.  If you watch the pendulum bob you will probably see it swinging further over to one side than the other. If the clock ticks heaviest to the right, then bend the crutch to the right, and vice versa.  You will hear the difference when you next push the pendulum to start the clock.
 
With other types of clock with pendulum such as wall clocks, bracket clocks and mantle clocks for example, whether weight-driven or spring-driven, the principle of setting it into beat is exactly the same.  The clock must be in beat, and this is correctly done by adjusting the crutch position.

If the clock is in beat and refuses to run, check for obvious things such as hands catching, weight lines fouling, pendulum rubbing on the case.  If it still refuses, the clock may need to be set up by a professional.

How to set up and assemble any type of wall clock

Once you have chosen the wall where you would like your clock to be fitted, check that wall can support the clock and also it’s not on a wall which is continually shaken by a heavy door as this could affect the time keeping.  Attach the case to the wall using the appropriate fixing for the type of wall.  Using a spirit level make sure the case is level vertically and also horizontal on the wall.  Depending on the case it may have levelling nuts that screw through the case onto the wall which will make it easier to level.  If the case is too far back the pendulum will bump against the backboard and if too far forward the weights will it the door when they are fitted.
 
Set the clock movement in position in the case and secure as necessary.  Hang on the weights first as this adds additional weight and holds the movement in place if the movement just sits on a wooden board.  Remember first to make sure the gut or the chain is in the correct position over the winding barrels before fitting the weights and the pulley wheels. 

Next is to fit the pendulum, and this fits at the back of the clock movement, and slides through an opening called the fork within the suspended rod at the back of the movement, which is called the crutch.  The pendulum hangs from the suspension spring and this allows the pendulum to swing freely.  This can be quite tricky getting the pendulum in place.  It will fit and the key is not to force it as this could damage the escapement.

Once the pendulum is in place, give it a gentle push side to side and see what happens. If the crutch is set correctly, the clock should run.  If not the crutch may have been bent in transit from its true position, and if so, this will cause the clock to keep stopping.  Don’t worry this is quite normal.  The clock is out of beat.  You will now need to re-set the crutch by bending it very gently to the left or right in the middle of its length, not at the top as you make break the joint.  You will need to use both of your hands, one to support and stop the crutch from moving and the other to make the slight bend. This may take two or three attempts on a trial and error basis.  Always refer to the manufactures setting up instructions when adjusting a clock in beat.
 
When the clock is in beat it will tick evenly from left to right, the time lapse between ticks is being about equal and regular, just like somebody walking for example.  A clock 'out of beat' will tick unevenly, like somebody walking with a limp, with each tick alternately long and short.  If you watch the pendulum bob you will probably see it swinging further over to one side than the other.  If the clock ticks heaviest to the right, then bend the crutch to the right, and vice versa.  You will hear the difference when you next push the pendulum to start the clock.

How to set up a Mantle clock

A mantle clock will have the movement already fitted in the case.  It has to be placed on a secure level surface. Some mantel clocks have adjustable feet so the clock can be perfectly levelled.  Mantel clocks use mainsprings rather than weights to drive the clocks movement. A key will be provided with the clock to wind the mainsprings.

Once the clock is level it’s ready to have the pendulum fitted, and this fits at the back of the clock movement, and slides through an opening called the fork within the suspended rod at the back of the movement, which is called the crutch. The pendulum hangs from the suspension spring and this allows the pendulum to swing freely. This can be quite tricky getting the pendulum in place. It will fit and the key is not to force it as this could damage the escapement.

Once the pendulum is in place, give it a gentle push side to side and see what happens.  If the crutch is set correctly, the clock should run.  If not the crutch may have been bent in transit from its true position, and if so, this will cause the clock to keep stopping.  Don’t worry this is quite normal.  The clock is out of beat.  You will now need to re-set the crutch by bending it very gently to the left or right in the middle of its length, not at the top as you make break the joint.  You will need to use both of your hands, one to support and stop the crutch from moving and the other to make the slight bend.  This may take two or three attempts on a trial and error basis.  Always refer to the manufactures setting up instructions when adjusting a clock in beat.
 
When the clock is in beat it will tick evenly from left to right, the time lapse between ticks is being about equal and regular, just like somebody walking for example.  A clock 'out of beat' will tick unevenly, like somebody walking with a limp, with each tick alternately long and short.  If you watch the pendulum bob you will probably see it swinging further over to one side than the other.  If the clock ticks heaviest to the right, then bend the crutch to the right, and vice versa.  You will hear the difference when you next push the pendulum to start the clock.

How to set up a carriage clock

A carriage clock will have the movement already fitted in the case.  It has to be placed on a secure level surface when not being moved.  Some carriage clocks have adjustable feet so the clock can be perfectly levelled.  Carriage clocks use mainsprings rather than weights to drive the clocks movement.  A key will be provided with the clock to wind the mainsprings.

Carriage clocks have a balance wheel rather than a pendulum and this will be locked from transit and will need to be freed before the clock will run.  The balance wheel will be locked with either a balance stop lever or a small piece of peg wood.  Check with the manufacturers instructions on how to unlock the balance wheel.  With mainspring wound up and once the balance wheel is free, give the clock a gentle twist and the clock will start run.

Setting the hands

Setting the hands needs particular care.  If your clock has any additional indicators or unusual striking patterns it is advisable to refer the manufacturers instructions.   Never turn your clocks hands backwards if the clock has any striking mechanism or date/moon features without proper advice from the manufacturer or from a professional clockmaker.  There are two ways of setting the time.  The first option is to stop the clock and wait until the time catches up with that shown on the dial, then re-start the clock.  The second option if the clock is behind by a few hours is to manually winding the hands around yourself.  This should be done gently and slowly by moving the minute hand only and wearing cloves, allow a striking clock to complete striking before moving the minute hand on.  For example if the clock strikes on the half hour allow it to strike then move it on to the top of the hour and then allow that to strike before moving on again.

Setting the moon phase and date

 Before putting the hood on or closing the door.  Your clock may have a moon, date or even date feature.  These will need to be set.  This can be done by rotating the discs or hands with your finger until the correct position is obtained.  When moving either of these discs or hands, be careful that they are moving freely and not in mesh with the works and due to be moved by the clock mechanism itself.  If they are, you will need to wait until they become unmeshed.  Usually, they will be meshed together between a specific time.  So avoid trying to set either the date or day count or the moon phase between these times.  However every clock mechanism is different and we would advise to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to when adjusting the hands or discs.

 Regulation of a pendulum clock

 It will take a short while to have your pendulum clock keeping perfect time.  Adjustments will have to be made to the bob on the pendulum rod.  There’s a nut below the bob on a thread which can be turned either up or down, thus moving the bob and adjusting the time.  To make the clock gain, the pendulum must be shortened so the bob will need to move upwards. To make the clock lose, it will need to be lengthened and so the bob will have to be moved downwards.  We advise that you need to turn the nut only half a rotation at a time as the pendulum is very sensitive.  Set the clock going and to time and test it for a day and make any necessary adjustments until you achieve the perfect time keeping.

 Regulation of a  balance clock

It will take a few days to have your balance clock keeping perfect time.  A clock fitted with a balance wheel, have a different method of regulation and it is best to refer to the manufacturers instructions before attempting to regulate them.  On top of the balance there will be a regulating arm which can be adjusted gently by hand.  It will be either turned to the left or right to adjust the time.  There will be a clear indication in which direction the regulating arm will need to move in order to make the clock gain or lose.  Move the arm fractionally in the necessary direction and set the clock to time and adjust it accordingly over a few days to achieve the perfect timekeeping.

 Summer and winter adjusting

 When the time goes forward by one hour just move the minute hand forward gently, remembering to let the clock strike where necessary.  When the times goes back one hour, stop the clock for one hour and then start it again once the time has caught up.