If you’re one of the many people who own a grandfather clock, you may be wondering how to go about packing and moving it. While it may seem like a daunting task, there are a few things you can do to make sure your clock arrives at its new home safely.
It’s possible to move a grandfather clock horizontally, but it’s generally not advised because laying the clock down adds pressure to the panels and glass elements. While newer grandfather clocks have a smaller chance of being damaged being transported horizontally, antique clocks are more susceptible to damage.
Newer grandfather clocks can be moved lying down, but this puts unnecessary pressure on the panels and glass elements, which increases the risk of breaking. Older clocks need to be moved upright because of the weight of the movement and how it is attached to the case.
It is best to keep your grandfather clock upright whenever possible as lying your timepiece on its back or side can damage the mechanisms inside and cause costly damage.
To pack a small pendulum, tape it to the bottom of the clock. For large pendulums, such as those used in grandfather clocks, box the pendulum in a pendulum box or tie it to a piece of pegboard. The pegboard should be at least a couple of inches longer and wider than the pendulum to keep it from bending.
You shouldn’t try to move a grandfather clock on your own unless you’re experienced in moving heavy and fragile antiques. If you’re not careful, you could hurt yourself or damage the clock. It’s always a good idea to have someone else help you when you’re moving something heavy.
The pendulum disk can be moved up or down by turning the adjustment nut. To slow the Grandfather Clock down, turn the adjustment nut to the left, which will move the pendulum disk down. To speed the Grandfather Clock up, turn the adjustment nut to the right, which will move the pendulum disk up.
To disassemble your clock for transport, remove the weights one at a time, being sure to package them in protective material such as an old sock or bubble wrap. Label the position of each weight as you remove it. Also remove the pendulum and package it safely. Do not tape or wrap the pendulum in place, as this could damage it during transport.
It typically costs $300-$1,300 or more to ship a grandfather clock using peer-to-peer shipping services. This cost depends on the size, age, and value of your clock and whether you need any additional services, such as packing or loading.
You should try to keep your grandfather clock standing up at all times. It is not a good idea to lay it down during transport because it might damage the delicate clockwork mechanism inside.
Whether you can lay down a grandfather clock to move depends on your clock’s condition. It is possible to move it this way, but it is generally not advised because laying the clock down horizontally adds pressure to the panels and glass elements.
They do best in a room that is comfortable for everyday living and is not too hot or cold and not too damp or dry. These clocks are susceptible to extreme fluctuations in humidity and temperature which can cause the wood to swell and shrink.
You should never try to move a grandfather clock without taking it apart and taking precautions to protect the fragile glass panels.
To protect the clock’s pendulums and side glass panels from impacts, wrap them in a moving blanket or bubble wrap. Put any chains or cables in a plastic bag and label them accordingly.
To protect the exposed hand shaft, use 4”-6” sections of cardboard tubes or 3”-4” strips of Styrofoam blocks. Hold them in place with a rubber band.
Remove the pendulum from the clock and secure it for transport. Do not tape or wrap the pendulum in place, as this could damage it. Place a sheet of bubble wrap between the hands and face of the clock to secure them. Use painter’s tape if necessary to hold the bubble wrap in place.
If you will be using loose packing material such as Styrofoam peanuts, wrap the clock in a sheet of plastic or a heavy-duty plastic bag.
If you lie your timepiece down on its back or side, the mechanisms inside can become damaged and this can be costly to fix. Additionally, if you tilt the clock on its side, this puts extra stress on the wooden case and glass panels. It is best to keep antique grandfather clocks upright at all times.
To move a grandfather clock, first remove the weights and wrap them in a moving blanket to protect them from damage. Then place moving blankets inside the clock to stabilize glass from the inside. Finally, wrap the outside of the clock to protect it from damage.
The reason a clock pendulum often stops swinging, after being moved, is because the clock case now leans at a slightly different angle then it did at its former location. The new angle causes friction which slows down the pendulum’s swing.
Look at the grandfather clock from different angles to check for any obvious problems:
If your mechanical clocks do not chime or strike, ensure that the strike on/off lever is not in the “strike off” position or halfway between positions. Additionally, make sure that the movement is not in the “night off” position. Lastly, ensure that all packing material is removed from the movement area.
The speed of the clock can be regulated by turning the Pendulum Nut to the right to speed it up, or to the left to slow it down.
A shorter pendulum swings faster than a longer pendulum. The effective length of a pendulum can be changed by either raising or lowering the pendulum bob. The pendulum bob is located on the pendulum rod. If you raise the bob, the clock will run faster.
To change the effective length of the pendulum and, as a result, the speed at which the clock runs, you can either move the pendulum bob up or down, or turn the nut to the left or right. If the clock is running too fast, you would move the bob down or turn the nut to the left; if it is running too slow, you would do the opposite.
To protect the exposed hand shaft, hold them in place with a rubber band around the clock. Just make sure that the cardboard tubes, or Styrofoam blocks are ¾” or more inches higher (or thicker) than the end of the hand shaft they protect.
Put your clock in the box and fill it with packing peanuts or other soft material. However, remember that one box is not enough to protect an antique clock during shipping. You need to put it in two boxes or, what is better, get a custom-made wood crate for it.
The cost of shipping a grandfather clock typically starts at $1,100 but can range up to $3,000 depending on the size and value of the clock as well as the distance it will travel. Other special considerations such as delicate woodwork can also affect the price. nsiderations such as delicate woodwork can also affect the price.
Author: Jay Baxter
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