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 your grandfather clock is level both side to side, as well as front to back. Along with leveling, it is 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" verge. 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 pushed 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" verge. 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 pushed 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.
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Modern day grandfather clocks can be leveled by turning the leveling feet, one way or the other. Some of the adjustable feet we encounter on many grandfather clocks are stuck tight. This usually occurs because when someone turns the grandfather clock, they rest the weight of the clock on one of the adjustable feet and turns the grandfather clock, tightening the foot down as far as it will go.
Sometimes, you might be able to tap the adjustable foot with a screwdriver to loosen the adjustable foot up. Be careful not to let the screwdriver slip and scratch the floor. If you are unable to loosen the adjustable feet with a screwdriver, you will have to lay the grandfather clock on the backside of the clock and loosen them up with a pair of pliers or another tool. Once the feet are easily adjustable, you can start leveling the grandfather clock case. Take a level and set it on a flat surface of the clock case. We always start with adjusting the grandfather clock from side to side. You should be able to lean the grandfather clock to one side and lift the case off the ground. You only need to lift a tiny bit. Once the clock case is lifted, adjust the foot. After the first one is adjusted, you can move on to the next, eventually leveling the clock from side to side. Repeat this same process for leveling the clock case from front to back. Please be careful if you plan on doing this alone. Sometimes it is best to have someone with you as a spotter. |
*******Turning the foot to your left, will raise the clock case, turning to the right, will lower the case*******
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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 would be best to anchor them to the wall.