Maintenance Tips

How to hang your cuckoo clock

The clock should hang about 80 inches from the floor so that the weights have room to drop.
Do not use a nail to hang the clock - they bend over time and your clock could fall off your wall. Check with your hardware store as to what you should use to hang a clock - it will depend upon the type of wall you have at your home. In our shop we use an EZ anchor. One part is screwed into the wall and then you put in a screw that the clock will hang onto - make sure the head of the screw will fit into the hole on the back of your clock. Test by gently pulling on the clock to mae sure it is secure on the wall.
Hang the clock on the wall. Make sure the back is flush against the wall and it is level side to side.
Once the clock is securely on the wall, attach the pendulum and the weights. All the weights are the same.
Once the weights and pendulum are on, give the pendulum a moderate swing and listen for the tick tock sound.
When you are adjusting the time, only move the minute hand (larger hand). Be sure to stop at the half hour and the hour to let the bird cuckoo and if it is a musical clock, to let music play.
The clock will be regulated when you pick it up. In case you ever need to adjust: move the leaf up on the pendulum to speed up the time and lower it to slow it down.
Depending upon your clock, the weights will need to be pulled up once a day or once a week. Gently pull up weight by pulling the chain down.
If you plan on being gone for more than a few days, gently stop the pendulum so that the weights won't drop completely to the floor. Restart the clock by swinging the pendulum as stated in section #5.
If you are having a problem with your clock after you have picked it up from our shop: Before bringing it in, call us first. We may be able to resolve the problem over the phone.

Mantel/Table clocks with pendulums

Make sure the clock is sitting on a level position.
Hang the pendulum. Start the pendulum by giving it a small, gentle swing. You should hear a "tic tock" sound.
Setting the time on your clock.
1. Spring clocks (bim bam movements): To set the time, only move the minute hand and only go clockwise. Be sure to stop at the "12" and let the clock strike the hour. If your clock also strikes the 1/2 hour, remember to stop at the "6" and let it strike before moving the minute hand any further.
2. Spring chiming clocks: Follow the above instructions but you will also need to stop at quarter hour to let the clock chime before moving the minute hand further.
Chiming clocks with a silent option: Do not move the selector lever while the clock in chiming. The best time to put the clock in silent mode is right after the clock has chimed.
Winding your clock
1. Most clocks need to be wound every 7 days. You may notice that your clock is running a little slow near the end of the 7 days. This is not unusual. You can reset the time after you have wound the clock.
2. Turn the key with a smooth motion. Continue turning the key until you feel significant pressure. Most clocks need to be wound 12-15 times in each winding hole.

***As time goes by the oil that is put in the clock evaporates and leaves the pivot (the ends of the gears) running dry. This can cause damage to the movement. We recommend you have your clock oiled about every 2-3 years to prevent this condition.

If you are having a problem with your clock, call before bringing it back in. We may be able to resolve the problem over the phone.

***If your clock has a balance platform instead of a pendulum, all the above information (except #2) will pertain to your clock.

WALL CLOCKS WITH PENDULUMS

Do not use a nail to hang your clock. The type of screw/anchor you need will depend upon the type of wall you have at your home. Make sure the head of the screw will fit into the hole on the back of your clock.
Hang the clock on the wall. Test by gently pulling on the clock to make sure it is secure on the wall and level side to side. The pendulum will not swing properly if it isn't hanging parallel to the wall/back of clock case.
Hang the pendulum on the hook and give the pendulum a swing. The clock will start ticking.
To set the time move the minute hand clockwise. If you have a chiming clock, stop at each quarter hour for the clock to chime. If you have a bim bam clock, pause at the hour and 1/2 hour to let the clock strike.
For 8 day clocks - be sure to wind once a week. You will need to wind each winding arbor 12-15 times.
The doors on some wall clocks can be a bit heavy. You will notice the clock will swing to the side whenever you open the door. If you have this situation, you will need to secure the clock more securely to the wall. The hanging screw will not be enough. Ask us for recommendations for the best way to secure your clock. The clock will get out of beat if you constantly let the case swing side to side each time you wind it.
Antique mechanical clocks are inherently inaccurate. It is not usual to have to reset the time a minute or two after winding.

***As time goes by the oil that is put in the clock evaporates and leaves the pivots running dry. This can cause damage to the movement. We recommend you have your clock oiled about every 2-3 years to prevent this condition.

***If you are having a problem with your clock, call before bringing it back in. We may be able to resolve the problem over the phone.