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How to Unlock the Face of a Weighted Clock

A weighted clock is a freestanding Grandfather clock, with a series of intricate mechanisms both within the clock and on the outside of the clock. These mechanisms work together in synchronized order. If one part of the clock is malfunctioning, it will affect the other parts of the clock. The face hands on a clock can become stuck, or locked for a number of reasons. The clock must be examined and fully adjusted to free the hands so that the clock can function properly and keep accurate time.

Things You'll Need

Small pliers
Clock oil

Instructions

- 1
  Check the inner mechanisms of the clock. Open up the back of the clock with a small pair of pliers. Examine the spring to see if it is in working order. Oil the spring with clock oil if necessary, in the pivot sections.
- 2
  Remove the spring and if it is overly rusted, replace it with a new spring. Place a small amount of clock oil on the gears within the clock, to make sure they do not slow down due to lack of lubrication. Place the oil on the parts of the gears where there is friction. Close the back after oiling, and make sure to oil the clock once every three years.
- 3
  Stop the pendulum from swinging, so that you can examine the outer working mechanisms of the clock. Put on a soft cotton glove, and gently grab the pendulum by the bottom part. Once the pendulum has stopped, carefully unhook it from the pendulum hook and place it on the side.
- 4
  Check that the weights of the clock are in the correct order. Weighted clocks will have three weights marked left, right and center on the bottom of the weights. Make sure these weights are in proper alignment and adjust if necessary. Put the pendulum back on, making sure that the shiny side is facing front. Don't set the pendulum swinging until you have checked the clock face.
- 5
  See if the clock hands are sticking together. Examine the small nut where the hands connect on the clock face dial to see if it is too tight. Loosen the nut with the pliers. If the clock hands remain locked, take the nut off, reset the small hand to the hour you want the clock to chime and add a dab of clock oil onto the center where the minute hand moves. Put the nut back on and tighten, making sure not to over tighten. Set the bigger hour hand, by rotating it counterclockwise one time, until it rests on the 12. Do not overwind. Set the pendulum swinging by moving it to either the left or the right.

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