7 Steps To Take Before Moving Your Grandfather Clock

Some time or other you will have to move your longcase
clock whether it's in the process of moving house or just
time to clean behind the case and move it for decorating. A
lot of damage can be done by just picking the clock up and
moving it in one piece without taking a number of
precautions So whether you are moving your grandfather
clock ten foot or ten mile Always

1.Wind up the clock so the weights are as close to the seat
board as you can get them, but remember you need to be able
to put the weights back onto the pulley hooks when
reassembling, so leave yourself some room to hold the
pulleys with one hand while holding the weight with the
other. A good guide line is to wind the pulleys up to just
above the trunk door top.

2.Take of the hood to expose the movement and dial and
place masking tape or the like over the gut line that is
around the strike and going barrels, this will stop the gut
line from springing out and getting tangled when you take
off the weights and will keep everything in place when you
lift the movement and dial from the case.

3.Take off the weights and it's a good idea to mark them by
sticking a piece of masking tape on to each one and writing
on them L (Left) and R (Right) or one, two and three in the
case of a modern clock with a chiming movement that has
three weights, this will ensure the weights go back in the
right place, as you will see when you lift them there is a
difference in weight.

4.Now take the pendulum off the movement, being very
careful not to damage the thin suspension spring (thin
piece of spring steel) at the top of the pendulum which is
threaded through the crutch at the back of the movement.

5.You can now lift the movement and dial from the case and
away from the trunk cheeks by lifting the whole thing up
with the seat board and placing it in its packing case. It
is best to pack the movement and dial stood upright in the
box making sure the bottom of the dial is not crushing the
gut lines. This will also keep the front of the dial and
clock hands safe, plus the added bonus of keeping the
crutch at the back of the movement from possible damage or
bending.

6.Your clock is now ready to be moved safely to its new
location. To reassemble just reverse the dismantling
procedure put the clock into beat and you are up and
running.

7.If transporting the clock in your own vehicle be sure the
clock case is secure and will not slide, preventing any
damage to the veneers or mouldings. We have found it is
wise to protect the suspension spring on the end of the
pendulum by taping it to a piece of thick card to prevent
it form being damaged or bent, also make sure the weights
are stowed really well as you don't want 12lb weights
rolling around the boot or foot well of your car.

If using a professional moving company it is always best to
dismantle and pack your grandfather clock ready for the
removal men to transport. As most are very well experienced
in moving furniture very few understand the workings of a
clock and attempts to move longcase clocks without using
these precautions will inevitably cause damage that is not
detected until long after the move has been taken, and by
that time they have long gone often leaving the owner with
a very large repair bill.

----------------------------------------------------
Barry Share is the proprietor of Riversdale Clocks...
http://www.riversdaleclocks.com
Make your own family heirloom. Get your free copy of part#1
of the case making manual "Making A Case For A Longcase
Clock" from. http://www.casemaking.riversdaleclocks.com