Home >> Collecting >> Antiques

How to Unlock the Hands of a Weighted Clock

Most weighted clocks are "grandfather clocks," which include chimes. The hands are located on the clock dial face and rotate around by the mechanisms within the clock, which move and work in synchronized order. Many antique clocks sometimes develop problems such as the clock hands becoming stuck. There are a few ways to fix clock hands and restore the clock back to its original working order.

Things You'll Need

Clock oil
Winding key
Small screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Check to see if the clock spring is functioning. Sometimes the hands on a weighted clock stop working and lock in place when the inner mechanisms cease functioning. Examine the spring for damage. Make sure the spring is properly set in place. Remove the spring and oil the pivot points with clock oil. Replace the spring if old or damaged.
- 2
  Try to wind the clock with the key. If the key does not wind, check the gears within the clock and make sure they are not jammed. Oil the clock gears along the edges, being careful not to apply too much oil. Sometimes the gears within a clock can rust and cause problems that inhibit the hands from turning properly. Put just enough oil where the gears touch.
- 3
  Check to see that the clock hands are not pressed against the dial. Pull the hour hand, which is the bigger hand, away from the clock dial. Be careful not to break the hand. Bend the minute hand away from the hour hand. Rotate the minute hand counterclockwise.
- 4
  Set the hour hand by moving it to the right, and wait for a chime sound. Do not over-wind the big hand. Take a small screwdriver and remove the nut over the minute hand if the hands fail to work. Reattach the minute hand after placing a small dab of oil in the pivot, and tighten the nut, being careful not to over tighten.
- 5
  Make sure the weights within the clock are in their proper position. Sometimes the weights become tangled upon a clock being moved, and can interfere with the clock hand movement in general. Look on the bottom of the weights, where they are marked left, right and center. Readjust the weights so that they are in their proper position.
- 6
  Raise the weights once a week, to keep the clock running smoothly. Use the crank on cable driven clocks to raise the weights; pull the chains by hand on chain driven clocks. Make sure to leave 2 inches of space between the movement and the weights when adjusting.

Antiques