Adjust the Pendulum on a Clock

Old pendulum clocks usually have a screw to adjust the length of the pendulum and therefore the time of each swing or rotation. This article tells you how to do this to correct the time-keeping.

Steps

  1. Wind the clock fully, set the time correctly and let it run for one week exactly at which point record how many minutes fast/slow it is (call it M).
  2. Measure the number of turns per inch of the thread of the screw that support the pendulum weight (call it N).
  3. Let T be the length of time per swing. (A swing is from one side to the other, not back again. For a long case grandfather clock T is typically 1, but for shorter clocks T will be some fraction of 1).
  4. Calculate the number of degrees turn to adjust the pendulum as follows: degrees = M x N x T x T x 2.78
  5. Watch the clock to see if it is keeping time. If it is running slow, shorten the pendulum; if fast, lengthen it.



Tips

  • Getting the mechanism professionally cleaned and lubricated will improve the clock's time-keeping.
  • Long case clocks keep the best time when on solid floors, preferably attached to a wall, and in an even temperature.

Warnings

  • Clocks, especially large ones, could be dangerous if they fall on a child. Make sure they are secure at all times.

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