Hanging Your Weights

Grandfather Clocks are weight driven. The time may come when you may need to handle your weights. There are a few things to keep in mind as you do.

• When handling your weight cylinders avoid touching the polished brass with bare hands. The oils from your skin can mark the surface and cause the brass to tarnish. Instead, try utilizing a pair of cloth gloves or a soft towel.

• Insure the coupling is securely attached before hanging your weights. The brass cylinders are typically only shells containing the actual weights (which tend to be more unsightly). Most are attached with a through-rod which will be firmly connected at either the top or the bottom of the weight. The rod is then threaded through one end of the brass weight shell and typically screws into the opposite end. Tighten until snug.

• Your weights are not all the same. The heavy weight drives the chiming mechanism. Often times you will be able to tell which is the heaviest simply by lifting the weights. When in doubt you may always use a scale to differentiate. Your weights may also be marked on the bottom with some variation of L/Left, C/Center and R/Right. With many popular movements, such as those designed by Hermle or Urgos, the heavy weight hangs on the right as you are facing the clock.

• Connect your weights with care. Attach the weights and gently guide them into place where they will hang. Try not to drop your weights from a slacked position or to swing your weights. This may cause unnecessary strain on your ratchet system and harm your clock's movement.

disassembled weight shell

For further inquiries visit our contact page.