How To Set Up An Antique Longcase Clock - Dials Antique Clocks, Lymington

[@duncands9172]

Just set up a Victorian longcase clock for a friend of mine. I tried doing it the other day but didn't know how to do it. I watched this video, and followed the instructions, and was successful. If you need help setting up a longcase clock in your home, then this is the video to watch.

[@jbgrahamruralresidentiales3619]

Thanks you saved my sanity. I was gifted a clock and hadn’t a clue. Brilliant

[@timvangelder]

Many thanks. Just the help I needed for my first-time-ever setting up an antique longcase clock.

[@felixthecat265]

Well... I was always taught.. 1. Put the movement on with the lines unwound. 2. Connect the left hand (chime) weight on first to stabilise the movement in the case. 3. Put on the hood and ensure the movement is properly square to the aperture in the hood. 4. Remove the hood and fit the pendulum. 5. Hang the right hand (going) weight. 6. Wind the weights up into the clock, ensuring that the gut runs onto the barrels correctly. 7. Mark the centerline of the pendulum on the backboard with a bit of chalk. 8. Start the pendulum in motion, checking it has an even beat and swings evenly about the centre mark. 9. Adjust the beat by bending the crutch until 8 is achieved. 10. Replace the hood 11. Check the timing and adjust the rating nut on the pendulum until the correct time is achieved... I think this guy is only doing about 1/4 of what is needed and will end up with a movement landing on his head if he is not careful!

[@danielforde-pogson]

Yes, that's what I'd do too! I'm setting one up on Saturday. Of course, I'll sit in front of it for 24hrs to check the timing...!

[@GoblinGamesLtd]

Any chance of a video of this procedure?

[@s.spencertenagodus8051]

Thanks. I have to look at a friend's clock to sort out the hands. This is a great help as I have only worked on mantle clocks.

[@sportyguy1]

How did you get in with your friend's clock?

[@s.spencertenagodus8051]

@@sportyguy1 OK thank you. it was quite straight forward - no nasty surprises - and still going strong!

[@sportyguy1]

Any idea how to get one side of the clock working? The wheel that spins to control the left weight and subsequently the chiming arm isn't moving at all.

[@PiperX1X]

Thank you for your video, I have just been given my late uncles grandfathers clock which as a child I would wind up for him and it had so many memories and I was so touched when I received a call last week asking if I would like it. I brought it home last night and spent time getting it all levelled up and gave the pendulum a swing and it’s ticking away with the sound I remembered as a child when staying with my uncle’s house and it’s kept the time perfectly. They don’t make them like they used to, do they?

[@robertbrown576]

From the school of DAMHIKT: For cherished heirloom time pieces, you’d best find a horologist who has training credentials. A self-trained antique dealer might not be aware of the long-term consequences of their fix or restoration, and presumably you’d love to pass on a serviceable clock to your heirs. If you’re getting a clock running for the first time in years, definitely get it cleaned and oiled before running for long. Oiling without cleaning away the old oils and dirt will wear down the pivot holes quickly. Wear is evidenced by oval shaped holes in the brass plates at the pivots under greater load, i.e. closest to the barrels. Also look for and record any markings on the back plate or inside the case before a “restorer” cleans or polishes away your ancestor’s date markings. Hope this helps and best of luck.

[@phooesnax]

Nicely done. Thanks.

[@roomatoid440]

When a longcase is ticking, it's like the heartbeat of a house.

[@danielforde-pogson]

It IS. I hate coming home after a week's holiday because all my clocks have stopped - it sounds deserted and lonely! Can't wait to get them wound.

[@ggolds5]

HI, I forgot what the dealer told me. Is the RIGHT weight suppose to be higher or lower then the left. I know he said one was to be lower by about 4 inches or so. He is away so I can't reach him. The clock dates to 1685, Im not sure if that matters. Thank you.

[@rosemarylefox5338]

Hello, it has been 5 years but I found you just now so I'll reply even though you already probably found your answer. The weight doesn't matter where it is, it's job is to pull down the cable to make the clock function. When winding the clock you can start with either side and make sure to wind them up carefully and not too high up for them to get stuck in the movement. They will not go down the same speed as one lowers all the time with the ticks and the other only when the clock is striking. You just need to make sure the weight doesn't go up too far so that it gets stuck (it is preffered to see the pully without looking up into the case) and that the weights don't go all the way to the bottom of the case, in which circumstance it will simply stop.

[@ggolds5]

@@rosemarylefox5338 WOW 5 years. How time flies. LOL. The clock has been running great. I had a "tuneup" a couple of years ago. I keep one weight about 5 inches from the other when I wind them. The clock is a 30 day clock. It was sold to me as a 15 day clock. That would have been unusual. The fact that this maker only made 2 , 30 day clocks is very rare. It still is my favorite thing in our house, after my wife and 4 cats. In that order. Thank you for responding.

[@labansogomba8753]

👏🤝👍 from Tanzania

[@upcomingcloudrapperluca7645]

So my click is ticking but it appears the movement isn't catching on the gears, it's a 200 year old mechanism

[@sportyguy1]

Any luck with the clock you were working on? I have a similar problem on my in-laws clock

[@upcomingcloudrapperluca7645]

@@sportyguy1 Yes! I'd recommend looking on the clock board on reddit, tons of great advice regarding the issue. Mines up and running completely now, issue was the suspension rod needed replacing,