Leveling of A grandfather clock
Leveling your Grandfather clock is a very important step in not only setting up your Grandfather clock but it is critical on newer grandfather clocks that you grandfather clock is level both side to side as well as front to back. Along with leveling, its also critical that your grandfather clock is stable. A grandfather clock that is not stable, will rock back and forth every time you bump it or open and close the door. When the clock is not stable, each time you wind the grandfather clock, the clock will rock back and forth allowing the pendulum to bang around, hitting the weights and eventually, stopping the clock.
Newer Grandfather clocks, as well as grandmother clocks and wall clocks, have a "self correcting" verg. What this means is once the clock is level, you can swing the pendulum and eventually the pendulum will find its perfect spot to swing properly. The way a pendulum clock works (this is a simple explanation) is, the pendulum through several gears is being pusher one way, the pendulum has to swing back within 10% of itself. If your clock is un-level, the pendulum will not be able to come back within its limits and eventually stop. This usually takes about 10 min or less.
Newer Grandfather clocks, as well as grandmother clocks and wall clocks, have a "self correcting" verg. What this means is once the clock is level, you can swing the pendulum and eventually the pendulum will find its perfect spot to swing properly. The way a pendulum clock works (this is a simple explanation) is, the pendulum through several gears is being pusher one way, the pendulum has to swing back within 10% of itself. If your clock is un-level, the pendulum will not be able to come back within its limits and eventually stop. This usually takes about 10 min or less.
Leveling a modern day Grandfather clock is easy.
Leveling an older grandfather clock
Leveling and stabilizing an older grandfather clock without leveling feet can be a little trickier. Without leveling feet, you will have to use a little imagination. You will have to slide items under your grandfather clock in order to get it level and stable. Popsicle sticks work great for us, but anything will work just fine. Following the above directions for leveling a clock, instead of adjusting the feet, you will just put the items under the clock where the floor meets the case.
leveling on carpet
Leveling and stabilizing on carpet is a whole other story. Grandfather clocks DO NOT like carpet. Its hard to keep the feet adjusted on carpet, because the carpet is constantly settling. Many times when we level a clock on carpet, we will adjust it the best we can and shove the grandfather clock case as tight as we can to the wall. Some older tall case clocks it is best to anchor them to the wall.