Grandfather Clock Parts

Grandfather clocks are also referred to as longcase clocks, tall-case clocks or floor clocks.  These clocks are tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clocks with the pendulum held inside the tower, or waist of the case.  Grandfather clocks usually  range between 6 and 8 feet tall.  The case often features elaborately carved ornamentation on the hood, or bonnet, which surrounds and frames the clock face.  Most longcase clocks are striking clocks, which means they sound the time on each hour or fraction of an hour. 

Prior to 1670, pendulum cock movements used an verge escapement mechanism which required very wide pendulum swings of about 80 to 100 degrees.  In 1670, the anchor escapement mechanism was invented which reduced the pendulum's swing to around 4 to 6 degrees.  This allowed clockmakers to use longer pendulums which had slower beats.  These needed less power to keep going, caused less friction and wear in the movement, and were more accurate. 

Grandfather clocks were traditionally made with two types of movement--eight-day and one-day movements.  A clock with an eight-day movement required winding only once a week, while generally less expensive one-day movements had to be wound every day.  All modern striking longcase clocks have eight-day movements.  Eight-day clocks are often driven by two weights--one driving the pendulum and the other driving the striking mechanism, which usually consist of a bell or chimes.  Such movements usually have two keyholes on either side of the dial to wind each one. 

Most longcase clocks are cable-driven, meaning that the weights suspended by cables.  If the cable is attached directly to the weight,  the load will cause rotation and untwist the cable strands, so the cable wraps around a pulley mounted to the top of each weight.  The mechanical advantage of this arrangement also doubles the running time allowed by a given weight drop. 

Cable clocks are wound by inserting a special key into holes in the clock's face and turning it.  Others are chain-driven, which means that the weights are suspended by chains that wrap around gears in the clock's mechanisms, with the other end of the chain hanging down next to the weight.  To wind a chain-driven clock, one pulls on the end of each chain, lifting the weights until the weights come up to just under the clock's face.

Grandfather clocks have been valuable as timepieces and heirlooms over the years.  Therefore, it is imperative that we maintain the works of these clocks properly.  We need to repair or maintain these clocks as needed in order keep them working properly so that they can be treasured by future generations. 

Maintaining and/or repairing grandfather clocks requires a skilled craftsman—someone who is familiar with all the delicate gears, chains, cables, dials and other parts that make up a grandfather clock.  When repairing or maintaining a grandfather clock, the repairman wants to be sure and do so with the correct parts—and those parts should be of the same high quality as the clock itself.  The older and rarer of clocks can sometimes require custom-made parts as there is no ready supply of grandfather clock parts available for that particular brand or model. Repairing and maintaining grandfather clocks with quality grandfather clock parts is vital to maintaining each timepiece’s integrity and longevity.

In our website we will provide you with resources from which you can obtain quality grandfather clock parts for your treasured family heirloom.