Is your grandfather clock running too fast or too slow?  If so, what should you do about it.  This is a question we get asked many times, and we are attempting to provide here a useful guide for most owners of clocks.

Before deciding whether to raise or lower what is known as the pendulum bob - the usually brass round  weight near the bottom of the pendulum - it might first worth be asking whether the grandfather clock had been running fine for many years.  If so, and it has, say, after 5 or 10 plus years after purchasing it, a slow-running clock may be a symptom of a clock that needs a good cleaning and oiling.  If so, find a good local grandfather clocks repair center.

But what if your grandfather clock is new, or you’ve recently moved it, and it needs adjustment?  If your grandfather clock is RUNNING TOO SLOW, one should LOWER the pendulum bob to make the clock’s movement run faster.  If the clock is RUNNING TOO FAST, one should raise the pendulum bob to make the clock’s movement go slower.  One needs to have patience and be willing to experiment with how many turns of the screw beneath the pendulum will affect your clock.  Checking against a computer clock or other reliable timepiece once a day is a good idea, as is keeping notes of how many turns of the screw were made and the impact it had on the time.

Another key question is WHAT DIRECTION does one turn the screw beneath the pendulum to raise or lower the pendulum bob.  While it does not work the same for all clocks, the large majority of clocks made in the last 50 years will allow one to follow the direction of turning the screw clockwise or right to raise the pendulum bob and make the clock go faster.  Conversely, for most grandfather clock movements, if one turns the screw beneath the pendulum bob counter-clockwise or left to lower the pendulum make, it will make the clock go slower.

The best advice we can give is to try moving the pendulum bob a turn for every minute, for, say, up to a 10 minute daily variation vs. the correct time.  Recalibrate after seeing the results after 24 hours, and decide what to do the next day.

A final note.  We recommend not seeking the perfection of an atomic clock, but rather getting your clock to be accurate within, say, a minute or so per day.  After all, another way of looking at it is you can spend $25 for a very accurate quartz watch or many thousands of dollars for a Rolex, Audemars, or Vacheron Constantin.  One is buying more than accurate timekeeping when investing in a grandfather clock.

Howard Miller Newman Grandfather Clock Model 611-120 611120

The vast majority of high-end mechanical grandfather clocks, whether they have cable driven movements or the chain driven movement type, have 8 day movements.  This means the movements, when fully wound, will run for eight days.  This is true for Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Floor Clocks, the Ridgeway Grandfather Clock Collection, Bulova Grandfather Clocks, and the made-to-order Kieninger Grandfather Clock Collection.

One question we are asked with some regularity is whether a grandfather clock can be damaged if it is allowed to wind down completely, or if it is stopped - by stopping the pendulum - while the weights are, say, halfway down.  The short answer is no, this should not hurt the mechanism of one’s grandfather clock.  The grandfather clocks are built to both withstand the pressure of the weights if they are partially down or fully down.  When winding a chain-driven clock, it is important, as it would be all the time, not to pull the chains too hard so that the weights go higher than they should.  But this would not be any different whether the chains are being pulled up after 7 days or after the clock has stopped and fully wound down after eight days.

Many super high quality grandfather clocks in fine condition that have been owned by the person writing this post have been left more or less as decorative pieces vs. timekeepers and chimers, in some cases for years, and these floor clocks are no worse for the wear, or perhaps the lack of wear!

Grandfather clock maintenance is of course still critical, with most experts recommending a cleaning and oiling at least every 3 years, as the oil will tend to dry out over time and cause more wear on the internal mechanism if it is not sufficiently lubricated.

Oh, and to start your grandfather clock up again if it has stopped (aside from any necessary winding, of course), don’t forget to move the pendulum on your mechanical grandfather clock with gentle nudges or pushes or swings from each side until you hear it ticking away and can hear a consistent ticking sound, known in the trade as being “in beat”.

Wishing all clock collectors, admirers, and everone else in the world a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2009!

If you have been in your own place for even a few years you have undoubtedly discovered that what you thought was really fun in terms of decorating just a year ago may not necessarily be something that you enjoy today. When I first moved into my home, for instance, I was just married and I happily filled our house with those things that we had received as wedding gifts. Mind you, I had registered for this gifts which means that we had picked them out ourselves. But here I am, ten years later and I’m looking at these dishes and those towels and I’m wondering “who was that person who would have thought these were attractive??”

The point is that styles change and tastes change; that will always be the case. But there will also be those things that will always be considered classics; those things that never go out of style. And in my opinion, grandfather clocks are a perfect representation of that.

We actually got a grandfather clock for our wedding as well – from my husband’s grandparents who have since passed away. I loved this grandfather clock then and I love it now. It transcends trendy style and even changing tastes because it is its own classic; something that will always be perfect and recognizable and fit seamlessly in with a variety of décor.

So I know without a doubt that no matter how many times I change my dishes, or replace my towels, that grandfather clock will always have a spot right here in my house and in my heart – my most favorite, classic piece of furniture.

Having a grandfather clock in the home is the realization of a dream for many homeowners. This is because grandfather clocks have long been associated with high-end pieces that are typically used in the most luxurious of homes. This perception most likely stems from the advent of grandfather clocks when only the wealthiest of homes were able to afford a grandfather clock as a part of their décor.

Today, however, grandfather clocks are much more affordable than ever before; and the Internet has expanded the options available to consumers when it comes to purchasing grandfather clocks at the most affordable prices possible.

As affordable as they are, however, grandfather clocks are still an investment that must be taken seriously. To this end there are ways in which consumers should protect their grandfather clocks in order to protect their investment and perhaps be able to pass their grandfather clock down through their family; these steps may include:

* Protect your grandfather clocks by placing them in an area of the home that is free from heavy activity; placing a grandfather clock in an area of the home that has high traffic could be asking for trouble.

* Keep up on regular maintenance. By keeping your grandfather clock maintained to the best of your ability you are ensuring that it stays in working order for many years to come.

* Enlist professional guidance. Grandfather clocks can be complex pieces of machinery that should be handled with care. Be sure to seek professional guidance when it comes to the repair and routine maintenance of grandfather clocks.

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to homes. For some, the perfect home is a smaller, more compact home – enough space to house their family and their stuff but not too much home that they are unable to keep up with the utilities and, of course, the cleaning. For others, a home is just not a home unless it is large enough to comfortably house family and guests – with rooms to spare that are dedicated to specific activities including a game room, a study, a library, and so forth.

There are challenges that come with larger homes; mainly being able to furnish the home affordably and fill the empty spaces with furniture and artwork that is in scale to the size of the rooms. Grandfather clocks work well in this capacity as they are large enough pieces that they can stand on their own in whatever capacity you use them but also because they work so well in helping to further the design goals of a room and home.

For larger homes that need to “fill” their space, grandfather clocks are especially helpful. Their height – they are generally six feet or over – help to fill a room, especially those rooms that have higher than average ceilings.

So conducive to large homes are grandfather clocks that many homeowners choose to place grandfather clocks – of different styles – in different rooms throughout their home; they find that the height and elegance of grandfather clocks work quite well in a variety of spots and will help to fill the often empty spaces in larger homes.

Clocks themselves are one of the first human inventions; an invention that has obviously stood the test of time and since evolved to reflect the changing technology as well as the needs of consumers. Grandfather clocks – one of the variations of this invention – were first created in late 1600s, a product of an English clockmaker’s creation of pendulum technology. The first grandfather clocks were created using painstaking detail and the highest quality materials. These materials – along with the time intensity needed to create the grandfather clock – drove the price; and early grandfather clocks were typically created only for public locations.

When grandfather clocks first came to America, they were still used mostly in public arenas; their use in private homes was limited because of price. In fact, only the wealthiest of Americans could afford to have a grandfather clock in their home.

Today, grandfather clocks are certainly much more affordable. High end manufacturers such as Howard Miller and Kieninger continue to create the high quality grandfather clocks that have earned the industry’s reputation through the generations. But these suppliers use high end materials and create unique pieces that are still affordable for the average American home. Balancing this quality with affordability is the challenge of the modern grandfather clock manufacturer. But by making sure that these spectacular pieces are affordable, clock manufacturers can ensure that the average household has access to these time honored pieces.

Connecting these manufacturers with their customers are high end online suppliers. Such suppliers offer great prices, phenomenal selection and the opportunity for all consumers to have access to the clocks they love.

The grandfather clock is something very different from the portable mantel clocks that grace the shelf above our fireplace or the wall clocks that hang in our kitchen or living room. A grandfather clock is a piece of solid furniture; that which anchors a room, reflects the homeowner’s own personal style, and elevates the décor to something grand and finished.

Because of its internal system, and its height, the grandfather clock requires periodic care to ensure that it is working at its optimum level. But in caring for your grandfather clock you are ensuring that it will last as long as it was designed to last – which could be hundreds of years as it is handed down through your family.

Grandfather clock owners should always follow specific cleaning instruction set forth by the clock’s manufacturer. It is generally advised that the handling of the weights and pendulum be done by a professional, as any movement or damage caused in the cleaning process can impact the clock’s timekeeping abilities. Exterior cleaning can be done by the owner with a soft cloth and non-chemical cleaners.

Owning a grandfather clock is an investment your home – as well as an investment in the future. By caring for them properly you are doing all you can to protect your investment.

Grandfather clocks have been in existence for generations, often taking up residence in homes as a traditional way to mark time and enhance a room. The grandfather clock – also known as the longcase clock – can set the tone for an entire room, and even an entire home. Their often ornate exteriors are created in a variety of styles by some of the modern world’s most renowned clock makers such as Howard Miller, Kieninger, and Ridgeway.

What many people may not be as familiar with are those clocks known as grandmother clocks. Essentially, what separates grandfather clocks from grandmother clocks is size; those standing clocks that average five to just under six feet are referred to as grandmother clocks, while those clocks that are six feet and over are known as grandfather clocks.

What differentiates the grandfather clock and the grandmother clock is also what unites them; clocks of this stature are certainly unique. Rather than just sitting a mantel clock on a shelf or hanging a wall clock in a kitchen or living room, those who bring a grandfather clock into their home are essentially committing to a piece of furniture. Beyond just telling time – ringing in the hour with the chime that is unique to them – a grandfather clock becomes a part of the family, meant to last a lifetime.

When wading one’s way through a grandfather clock purchase, especially if it is for the one and only for one’s home or office decor, many savvy and thoughtful buyers of clocks are torn between antique grandfather clocks and new grandfather clocks by companies such as Howard Miller Clocks, Kieninger Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Bulova Grandfather Clocks, and more.

It is not an obvious choice, even for those interior decorators and individuals looking to make the so-called correct choice. Antique Grandfather Clocks have obvious appeal because of their potential rich history, generally solid construction, potential fascinating features, usually costing a lot more, which make the clock stand out (e.g. a mercury pendulum, or automata on a antique grandfather clock).

Many clocks experts would also say, and we would agree generally, that if one shops very carefully for an antique grandfather clock, and finds one that is or has the relatively easy potential to be in good working order, has provenance, ideally, and one purchased at a good price, an antique clock will likely, in our opinion, be a better long-term investment.

There are, however, 2 key facts which 1-800-4CLOCKS would advise customers to also consider - and remember we sell both new and antique clocks. The first, and by far most obvious and talked or written about, is that a new grandfather clock, such as a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock or Kieninger Grandfather Clock, will generally arrive with no problems, and relatively speaking, much lower maintenance costs in the years ahead. There is also the much decreased risk that one my be buying a lemon antique grandfather clock which becomes a bottomless pit for restoration and repair. In this regard, buying an antique grandfather clock is not that much different from buying a used car or vehicle. One should have an expert by their side, or at least weigh in based on a solid facts foundation.

The 2nd fact which we see as an ever-increasing change in the years ahead is that more and more so-called antique grandfather clocks one finds for sale will actually be counterfeit reproductions. While this trend has yet to truly reach the mass market, at least with grandfather clocks, we expect it will, and will grow stronger and more powerful, in the next one to five years.

So whatever you do when you are shopping for a grandfather clock, be sure to do your homework, and hopefully as or with a skilled expert by your side.

The last post in this blog addressed many of the newer features in high-end grandfather clocks, such as auto night shut-off, the introduction of more chimes, and lit dials.  See the post just below for more on this.

We are very interested in any feedback that our readers may choose to either post or email to us, as to what other new features might make for either better grandfather clocks choices and shopping, or make you and people you know more likely to buy a grandfather clock.

Some examples of features we have thought about and heard include:

1. Atomic Grandfather Clocks, using Atomic Clock Radio Controlled technology, for most accurate keeping of time

2. Ability to make mechanical chimes louder and softer.

3. Ability to order a specific clock with the chime or combination of chimes of your choice.

4. Ability to record your own personalized chime.

5. Choice of “same” model but in different wood choices, such as cherry, oak, maple for otherwise same models.

6. Choice of same grandfather clock model and choice of coordinating color of pendulum, weights, bezel, and even cable wiring for cable driven grandfather clocks - such as in nickel or chrome instead of brass.

7. Importance of price in your purchasing decision.  If drastically lower prices are offered for grandfather clocks, would more of the same types of grandfather clock shoppers be open to purchasing them even if they were not branded with the clock brands they know most well.

Feedback on these points would be valuable to everyone in the industry, shoppers and manufacturers and retailers alike.  Please share your thoughts when you have the time.