Does anyone know how to do this? The clock I'm trying to figure out has a pendulum and 3 weights, if that helps at all. There are 3 holes on the face of the clock which a key fits in all 3 holes but that seems to only move the weights up and down.
This clock was donated to a family in need so they can sell it for cash but we can't figure out how to get it to work!
Thanks ladies! We got it working last night by trying all your suggestions! We set the hands, wound up the weights and got the pendulums swinging. We would have never guessed what the pendulum setting knob was unless you told me LLK. Thank goodness. This clock was giving to the family of a boy who was in a shooting accident (the boys were playing a video game at a friends house and one of them picked up a bb gun and it accidentally went off). They don't have any money to pay for his medical bills so this clock would have helped. So count this as your good deed for the day you guys! You just made a needy family very happy.
My mom's clock has the 3 holes, two are for the chimes and the one in the center is the one that winds the clock. You wind until it feels sort of tight (dont overwind), and then move the pendulum and it should start working.
No, No, No, JulieBean,
No offense, but if it has 3 holes you do NOT pull on the weights.
You 'wind' the weights UP by the key, which it sounds like you've already figured out. You move the hands clock wise and stop and the quarter hour to let the 'chimes' catch up to the current time. Then you just gently push the pendulum so it starts 'ticking' back and forth. You may have to adjust the pendulum up or down, (look for a little weight that screws up and down) so it keeps current, correct time. You may have to have someone come look at it. to move it, with all the weights, isn't advisable.
My husband grew up with one. And we've had one for 10 years. Trust me, I've been 'winding' it once a week for 10 years.
Take the clock to a watch/clock repair place.
And ask them.
Look in the yellow pages or online for your area.
Or someplace that repairs antique clocks.
I would contact someone who works on these clocks. I ruined a smaller version doing it myself and wound it too tight. It couldn't be fixed.
I suggest calling a clock shop. Their are stores that sell mostly just clocks and they usually have someone who repairs them. That person can help you with your specific clock.
We have a very expensive Grandfather clock and we wind it once a week or get in the habit of checking it when we walk by sometimes.
The key fits into all the holes, you use it in all the holes to wind each weight.
Make sure it is appreaised properly so they get a decent price for it. Ours is a Goddard and purchased new in 1993 was a little over $5000. It is one of so many made like that and has our name date and when it was made engraved on a plate inside. Due to diligent upkeep, professional cleanings, etc it is probably worth more now... nothing would outweigh the sentimental value of it though.
You got it right. They key winds up the weights, the pendulum swings, unwinding the weights. It takes about a week to unwind.
Typically you gently pull the chains on the 3 weights to wind the -- 1) chime, 2) the hands, and 3) the music.
