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How to Balance a Grandfather Clock

The grandfather clock, also known as the long case clock, has been in existence since the 1600s. The clock contains a pendulum that swings in regularity, keeping the time accurate. The mechanism is incredibly sensitive to movement, and bumping or sliding of the clock can often throw it off balance. A grandfather clock that is off balance will not swing properly and will stop telling proper time. Balancing the clock is fairly easy and mainly requires patience.

Things You'll Need

Shims

Instructions

- 1
  Open the grandfather clock. Clear the immediate area of possible obstructions to avoid accidents.
- 2
  Push the pendulum gently and listen to the tick-tock. If the clock is out of balance, the sound should seem incorrect and imbalanced--different from what you usually hear. It is often described as hearing a tock-tick instead of a tick-tock. If this is not the case, your clock may have an issue other than balance.
- 3
  Place a small shim no thicker than 1/4 inch under one side foot of the clock. The shim can be a coaster, piece of wood, cardboard or something similar. You may need more than one shim to balance the clock. In many cases, the clock will tilt slightly in one direction. Place a shim or shims opposite the tilt.
- 4
  Push the pendulum gently again, and listen to the tick-tock. If it is running correctly, the clock should be making a tick-tock sound rather than a tock-tick. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the tick-tock sounds balanced.
- 5
  Close the clock and allow it to run for a few hours. If it keeps proper time, you have repaired it. Otherwise, return to Step 3.

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