Sligh Grandfather Clock Setup
Posted on October 15, 2011 | By clockde
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Setting Up Your Clock
**If you are seeking a new grandfather clock, click “Grandfather Clocks“.
1. Unpack
Remove contents from master carton:
Pendulum – may be fastened to carton, or
inside of clock cabinet (Fig. 1).
Clock – Remove protective plastic bag.
Parts Box – located under the grandfather clock; may contain
cabinet key, winding crank or winding key,
weights and a level, depending on model.
Optional Parts may be packaged separately,
located above or below the grandfather clock. Make sure
finials, glass shelves, side panels and other
optional parts are removed before discarding
the master carton (Fig. 1).
2. Position and Level Grandfather Clock
Position your clock in its final location, avoiding
direct sunlight, heating/air conditioning vents,
heavy traffic and play areas.
Your clock must rest in a level and stable
position. Turn the leveling glides at the base
of the clock (Fig. 2) to raise or lower each
corner of the clock. Check your adjustments
using the level provided. See Troubleshooting
for optional deep carpet glides. If a safety
strap is provided, secure the free end of the
strap to a wall using one of the methods
diagrammed in Fig. 3.
3. Access Clock Mechanism
NOTE: Use gloves or clean, soft cloth when
handling brass fixtures to avoid tarnishing.
There are 5 mechanism access options:
Side Doors (Fig. 4a)
Side Panels are held in place by a small turn
button located near the inside lower edge of
the side panel (Fig. 4a). To remove, lift panels
up and push into body of the Grandfather clock. Tilt and
remove panel through side opening.
Lower Front Door (Fig. 4a)
Removable Hood (top of clock). To remove,
rotate the turn buttons and slide hood forward
tilting slightly to clear dial frame.
Access Panel located on back of clock.
4. Remove Packaging
Carefully remove staples and retainer
cardboard from chime rods. Cut rubber band
and remove foam blocks used to secure the
chime hammers (Fig. 5).
DO NOT remove foam blocks from the weight
pulleys at this time (Fig. 9, page 5).
In some clocks, pendulum and chains are
packed inside the clock cabinet (Fig. 6).
Remove string used to secure chain and
pendulum to eyelet screws. Remove eyelet
screws after pendulum and chains have
been detached.
5. Hang Chime Tubes
Select models only. The chime tubes are
hung over the buttons on the back of the
chime tube rack. Tubes are hung with the
longest tube on the left, as you face the clock;
the shortest on the right. Install each tube
through the front door and hang on appropriate
button (Fig. 7).
6. Hang Pendulum
Some pendulum bobs have a clear plastic
coating which should be removed. Carefully
hook the pendulum onto the pendulum
hanger as diagrammed (Fig. 8).
NOTE: Take care not to twist the hanger,
which may cause the delicate suspension spring to break.
7. Hang Weights
Make sure weight hooks are screwed tightly
to the top of each weight prior to hanging.
With foam blocks still in place, attach weights
to pulleys, or in some clocks, chains. Weights
are labeled on the bottom L (Left) R (Right)
and C (Center). Place weights onto the left,
right and center chains/pulleys as you face
the clock front (Fig. 9). Some models will have
only two weights.
NOTE: Let clock run 24 hours and lift foam
blocks from between cables (Fig. 10).
8. Start Clock
Once the Grandfather clock is level and weights are hung, draw
pendulum over to one side of the case and
release it (Fig. 11). As pendulum slows down
to its normal swing, the movement will
automatically adjust to the proper beat. The
sound should be an even tempo: Tick—Tick—
Tick—Tick. If the sound is uneven, the beat is
out of adjustment. Stop pendulum and restart
the swing. If the beat is improved, but not yet
even, repeat the process but pull the pendulum
to the other side of the case. The movement
will go out of beat if the clock is not level.
9. Set Time
DO NOT move the clock hands while chimes
are playing.
To set your Grandfather clock, move the minute hand
counter clockwise, the chimes should not
play. If for some reason the chimes should
begin to play when setting the clock, pause
until they complete themselves before
continuing. Wait until chimes stop, and turn
the minute hand counter clockwise to the
desired time (Fig. 12).
DO NOT move the hour hand, it will
automatically adjust as the minute hand
is turned.
NOTE: If hour hand does not coincide with
chime, see Troubleshooting page 15.
10.Select Chimes
DO NOT adjust chime selectors while chimes
are playing.
Most Grandfather clocks are equipped with a chime
selector and silencer lever at the 3:00 position
or a silencer dial in the upper right-hand
corner of the clock. Slide the lever up or down
or turn the dial to the desired position. These
positions may not correspond exactly with the
markings on the clock. Your clock may also
be equipped with a selector lever at the 9:00
position or selector dial in the upper left-hand
corner. This lever controls the
automatic night silencer, which silences the
chimes and strike during the nighttime hours.
11.To Silence Chimes
Some Grandfather clocks are equipped with a lever
located inside the lower cabinet of the clock
and hangs in front of the right-hand weight.
You may need to reach up into the cabinet to
locate the end of the lever. Push up on the
lever to turn on chime function, pull down to
silence chimes.
Depending on model, your clock will chime
every quarter hour and gong for each hour,
on the hour. Some Grandfather clock styles only chime in
hour and half-hour increments.
12.Adjust Chime Hammers
The tone of your chime is affected by the
hammer positions. The hammers are set at
the factory, however, it is possible that they
can go out of adjustment. If the hammers do
not strike the rods or bell correctly, bend the
hammer shafts slightly. The hammer heads,
while at rest, should be approximately ¹/16″ to
¹/8″ from the rods or bell. If it is too
close, the note will sound twice or sound dull.
If too far away, the note will be soft or fail to
sound at all.
In tubular chime Grandfather clocks, hammer adjustments
are made by turning small screws on the end
of each hammer draw rod atop the Grandfather clock
mechanism. By turning these screws,
the hammer heads can be brought into proper
location with the tubes. The hammer heads,
while at rest, should be approximately ¹/16″ to
¹/8″ from the chime tubes.
13.Set Moon Dial
If your Grandfather clock has the moon phase dial feature,
follow these instructions.
CAUTION: If the moon does not move easily,
it is probably in the process of advancing.
Wait several hours, or set the clock several
hours ahead or back, and then try again.
Use a calendar to look up the date of the last
full moon. Count the number of days,
including today, since the last full moon.
Apply slight pressure to the face of the moon
dial with your hand and rotate clockwise until
the moon is directly below the #15.
Turn the moon dial clockwise one “click” for
everyday since the last full moon.
The moon dial is now set and will continue
to operate unless the clock stops. The moon
dial may be reset when the clock is started.
14.Set Calendar Dial
Some clocks have a calendar dial.
Insert a pointed object into one of the setting
holes, located above each date, and turn dial.
The calendar can be set to coincide with the
current date, but will need to be advanced at
the end of any months having less than 31 days.
NOTE: If your calendar changes at noon
instead of midnight, reset clock 12 hours
ahead or back.
15.Wind Clock
Crank Key Wind
Your Grandfather clock should be wound once a week or
before weights have finished descending. If
you turn the chimes to silent, the outer
weights will not descend. To wind the Grandfather clock,
insert the winding crank (Fig. 18) into each
of the holes in the dial. Turn the crank in a
clockwise direction. The Grandfather clock is equipped
with an automatic limit device, which prevents
weights from being raised too far. When
winding, take extra care to prevent cables
from crossing. If weights reach the bottom of
the clock, make sure they are not tipped
forward or backwards when you begin
winding the clock. Wind slowly, do not allow
the weights to sway.
DO NOT hold the weights as you wind, use
only the crank.
DO NOT wind the clock without the weights
on the pulleys.
Chain Wind
Your clock should be wound once a week or
before the weights have finished descending.
To raise the weights, slowly pull the chain
straight down with one hand while guiding
the weight and chain with the other hand. If you pull too fast, the weight may
touch the seat of the movement and cause
damage to the chain as well as the movement.
DO NOT push up on weights as you wind.
DO NOT pull up on the chains without the
weights attached.
NOTE: IF YOU TURN THE CHIMES TO
SILENT – on clocks with three weights the
outer weights will not descend, and on clocks
with two weights the weight to your left, as
you face the Grandfather clock, will not descend.
16.Adjust/Regulate Clock
To adjust the timekeeping on your Grandfather clock, turn
the regulating nut under the pendulum bob
up to speed the swing of the pendulum, turn
down to slow the pendulum.
Hold pendulum with one hand while adjusting
the regulating nut with the other.
DO NOT allow pendulum to twist. This may
damage the suspension spring.
One complete turn of the regulating nut will affect
approximately one half minute in 24 hours.
Seasonal temperature changes may require
adjustments to the regulating nut. Reset Grandfather clock
hands after adjustment.
Care of Your Grandfather Clock
Replacing Suspension Spring
If the suspension spring is damaged, it may
be replaced. Remove the pendulum and
unscrew the small knurled bolt in the
suspension post which holds the spring in
position. Hook the pendulum hanger to the
new spring and insert the spring into the
suspension post. Align the hole in the top
portion of the spring with the hole in the
suspension post and replace the knurled bolt.
Moving Your Grandfather Clock
Before moving your Grandfather clock, always remove weights
and pendulum, if your clock has them. If the
clock is to be transported by vehicle, all parts
must be protected by the original packaging
or similar materials.
Care of the Movement
Dust is the enemy of all precision machined
parts. Protect your Grandfather clock from dust, chemical
vapors and areas of constant vibration.
Your clock movement should be oiled by a
qualified repair person approximately every
two years, and cleaned at regular intervals
as recommended by the repair person. Only
the finest clock oil should be used. Oil should
never be randomly sprayed or applied on
the mechanism.
Care of Clock’s Wood Finish
Sligh Clock’s beautiful hand-polished finish
will last for generations. Regular dusting with
a soft, lint-free cloth such as cotton, flannel,
terrycloth or cheesecloth will help maintain
the wood’s original luster. Using a slightly
dampened cloth will cut down on friction,
avoid scratches, and help reduce static
electricity that attracts and holds dust.
The beauty of the Grandfather clock case can be
maintained by periodically using a self cleaning
furniture polish. Soap and water is
not a thorough cleaner for wood products.
Self-cleaning furniture polishes contain both
wax and solvents which maintain luster and
provide adequate cleaning under most
circumstances. If a more thorough cleaning
is necessary, use odorless mineral spirits.
Always protect your Grandfather Clock from conditions
of excessive heat, cold, dampness and
strong sunlight.
In the event of small mars or scratches, use
a touch-up stick or scratch remover, available
from most paint stores, or call a professional
furniture repair person.
Care of Brass Parts
The fine brass accents of your Grandfather Clock
should only be handled with soft cotton
gloves or a soft cloth. Dust with a fine, soft,
clean cloth.
NEVER use an abrasive cleanser, permanent
damage will result from its use.
Cleaning Glass
Avoid getting cleaning products on brass
surfaces. Spray glass cleaner on a soft
cloth and then wipe glass surfaces. Never
spray directly onto the cabinet or brass finish.
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