Most of these tips are meant more for the owners of antique, collectible mantle clocks as opposed to modern imitations, but are applicable to anyone with a quality mantle clock regardless of its age.
Tip #1: Be careful when moving the hands.
Generally speaking, you should only move the minute hand to set your clock’s time and you should ALWAYS move it clockwise, as turning it backwards can damage the gear assembly that operates it. Also remember to always slow down carefully as you push the minute hand past the hour and half hour mark in order to give your mantel clock’s bell and chimes a few moments to set up. Pushing through the hour and half hours marks too quickly can lead to permanently damaging your clock’s bell or chime mechanism.
Tip #2: Remove the pendulum before moving the clock
This rule applies primarily to legitimately pendulum-driven clocks, whether they are antiques or modern. The swinging pendulum is extremely sensitive to movement, so moving your clock with the pendulum still attached can result in the both the misalignment of the pendulum with the rest of the mechanism or its complete separation from its anchoring mechanism. Either problem can ruin your mantle clock. For modern, battery-driven electric clocks with a faux pendulum, obviously this does not matter as much.
Tip #3: Always place the clock right side up
Almost all mantle clocks are specifically designed to remain standing in only one direction. Laying your mantel clock on its back or side can result in the mechanism being seriously damaged. This is more of a concern for antique mantel clocks, but can be applicable to high quality modern clocks as well. Remember, your mantle clock is not a larger version of a wristwatch. Instead they usually have completely different driving mechanisms and rely heavily on gravity to work correctly. This means that laying them the wrong direction can have serious consequences.
Tip #4: Wind your clock before the very last minute
Most antique clocks and many high quality modern clocks using traditional mechanisms require regular winding. While most mantle clocks will go for up to eight days without winding, more often than not the mechanism becomes sluggish during the last two days of its wind. Therefore, it is advisable for people with mantle clock requiring winding to wind them every six or seven days as opposed to waiting until the very end. This will prevent you from having to reset the clock once a week.
Tip #5: Never force anything
Most mantle clocks – both antiques and quality modern versions – are highly crafted mechanisms that are designed to run very smoothly and precisely. The same is true for all of the adjustable elements of the clock. They also should be very smooth and easy processes. If you encounter resistance while making any sort of adjustment, either you are doing something wrong or the clock has a problem. Either way, assuming you value your clock, you should consider carefully examining it for problems or calling in an expert if you encounter much resistance from regular and routine adjustments.
Tags: clock, gear assembly, mantel clock, mantle, Mantle Clock, mantle clocks, mechanism, pendulum, s bell, Tip
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