Clock Care Page
Longcase Clock Setting Up Instructions
1 - It is advisable to secure the case to a batten mounted on the wall. The securing screw
should be passed through an existing hole in the backboard.
2 - Place the case against the wall - it may be necessary to pack wood strips beneath the clock
feet if your floor is un-even, then check with spirit level.
3 - Mark the wall by passing bradawl through the hole selected in step 1 and make a wooden
batten say 6" long by 2" wide of a thickness matching that of your floor skirting board.
This is to ensure that the clock backboard sits flush against your wall.
4 - Fix the batten horizontally to your wall to cover the mark made on the wall in step 3.
5 - Pass a screw through the backboard hole selected in stage 1and screw to the batten. To
spread the load on the backboard it is advisable to put a washer on the screw first.
6 - Place the movement and seat board onto the case shoulders. Until the pendulum is hung,
which provides a counter balance to the movement preventing it from tipping forwards, it is
advisable for someone to place a hand on the movement while the pendulum is being hung.
7 - Take care not to break suspension at the end of the pendulum (the springy steel bit). This
is described in steps 8 to 10 below.
8 - Open the case trunk door and feed the pendulum upwards towards the back of the
movement - best done by holding the pendulum bob.
9 - Feed the tip of the suspension through the slot in the centre of the crutch and then feed the
brass block through the slot also.
10 - Engage the edge of the suspension into the slot located in the centre of the block at the
rear / top of the movement. The pendulum will then hang and is engaged.
11 - Hang the weights on to the gut line pulleys directly on the loops, or if fitted, the hooks.
12 - The movement is now stable on the case shoulders and the masking tape on either side of
the grooved barrels on the movement can be removed.
This has been placed there to prevent the lines from becoming tangled with the movement
and has kept the gut lines neatly in their barrel tram lines.
13 - Gently set pendulum in motion and listen to the beat. You are aiming for a nice
even 'tick - tock' which should arise if the case has been set level with a spirit level.
If the beat is not even then on a 'trial and error' basis move the clock case a little
to the left or right until it sounds even. It may be necessary to place further packing under
the case feet.
14 - Place the hood on the case shoulders and ensure the dial fits centrally in the masking
surround and not too far back inside the case.
15 - Move the hands clockwise until your clock indicates the correct time. Always allow it to
strike out each hour fully and never move the hour hand backwards as this could damage the
mechanism or throw it out of synch. Also never move the hands anti clockwise as this could
seriously damage the movement.
16 - The clock should be wound up once a week in a clockwise direction.
Timing adjustment
17 - Your clock will keep accurate time if the pendulum is set at the correct length.
If the clock is running slow, then the pendulum needs to be shortened. Turn the rating screw
at the bottom of the pendulum bob in a clockwise direction to shorten it.
Only half turns are required and repeat on a 'trial and error basis' over a few days until your
clock is telling the time accurately.
The converse is done if the clock is gaining.
Date and Rolling Moon Adjustment
18 - At certain times it is not possible to manually alter the date dial because the mechanism
is in the process of date change. If this happens it must not be forced but left alone for
a few hours and attempted later.
19 - By reference to lunar tables the correct date of the lunar cycle can be learned.
Case Care
20 - All that is basically needed is dusting but the appearance of the case can be enhanced by
applying a thin layer good beeswax every few months. Leave for approx 30 minutes and buff.
Servicing
21 - A longcase will only need oiling every 5-10 years and overhauling every 20-30 years
22 - Oiling is only required to the pivots and high quality clock oil should be used.
23 - Brass work on our clocks will tarnish over time even though it has been lacquered/polished.
24 - The dials of both White dial and Brass dial clocks do not require any cleaning other than
occasional dusting.
25 - Your clock is a hand-made piece of precision engineering and if you look after it then it
will give good service for many years to come.
Going On Holiday
26 - Stop the clock by holding the pendulum still.
27 - On return, move hands in a clockwise direction and allow the clock to strike each hour out
until correct time is reached.
28 - Set pendulum in motion.
Removing Hood
29 - To prevent hood door flying open and also to prevent too much strain being put on the hood
side columns, place thumbs on the hood door corners and grip the hood at the top corners.