How to Remove and Install Grandfather Clock Drive Chains 

He said he was going to tell weight placement??

My grandfather clock chain came off and I thought I would have to find a clock repair person to drive to our small remote community. Then I found your video and at least understood what I was looking at when I held a mirror to see the inner workings. I was able to rethread the chain and get the clock going again. I am a 69 year old grandma. I smile when I see the clock ticking away and know I fixed it. Thank you!!!!!!

Thank you so much! You saved me $200 bucks! I inherited my Grandfather's clock and wasn't sure how to put it back together. It's now working and everytime it chimes it reminds me of him!

Wow! After moving to Washington State in 2014, my clock had the center chain come off. I checked and it was over $200.00 to get repaired in home. Today, I thought "what the heck!" and searched RU-vid. I found this video, watched it about 4 times to make sure I got it, and after about 5 minutes, I GOT THE CHAIN BACK ON!! My wife was amazed! I forgot just how beautiful this sound was! We have a Grandfather clock upstairs, but this one is down stairs and once I dust it off, I plan to put it in our living room and enjoy it once again! Thank you Todd for this very useful video! You are great!

This is so wonderful! The weights on my grandfather clock were pulled too high and got stuck so I had removed them and they have been just sitting there for a year. After I found your video I followed your instructions, actually was able to do it without using a wire. Also mine didn't have side panel access but it had a rear one so that was how I got to it. It worked perfectly! So happy!

Thank you very much for the video.. we fiddled with the middle chain for over an hour and then I checked RU-vid. Found you video and got that middle chain on the gear in less than 30 minutes. You're a life saver and back saver.

A few years back I was blessed to receive my grandma’s grandfather clock when we moved last year I accidentally pulled the center chain off. Everyone said I couldn’t fix it on my own but I found your video and all afternoon I have been listening to the beautiful chimes as it is completely fixed! I can’t wait to watch to see how to care for it. Thanks!

After having my grandfather clock disassembled due to countless military moves, it’s finally fixed. Thanks Todd!!

I had ABSOLUTELY no idea how a grandfather clock worked when I volunteered to set a friends up with just the chains and weights randomly in a box. Excellent instructional and the finished clock keeps perfect time. Thanks Todd.

This was a huge help. Complete beginner, managed to rechain my new Westminster Chime in an hour after watching this. Had a bit of an issue with the centre gear ( the clock) but solved that by hooking a length of wire on the sprockets and pulling the chain through by finger turning the sprocket with the chain tagging along behind. Thanks

Thank you! This video was perfect! We moved over a year ago, it was a self-move and I made the mistake of removing the chains and the weights. I should have just removed the weights only and secured the chains instead, but hindsight is 20/20. For a year my clock has been non-operating and everyone I called wanted to charge me $350-$450 to come out and re-assemble. With the help of this video you shared, I did it myself and I am thrilled - It is working again and it is music to my ears. Thank you! Thank you! for sharing you expertise. Excellent instructions!!

I got a grandsfather clock from an estate sale and it had no chains attached. Watched this video about 3 times and got them all on in the right place. Todd, you're the greatest. I subscribed and will watch more videos as I try to put everything back together. Thanks again!!!!!

Thank you so much for this! My wife surprised me with one this weekend and the center chain came off while moving it. This video saved the day!

Hi. Thank you so much for this super simple ""how-to" video. My mother was going to pay someone $250 to do this and get the clock working. I am a 50(ish) yr old woman, and had to wait til she went to church, to sneak and surprise her. My point with my age and gender, is that first try, the weight is back in place, and I have never touched a clock before!!! Thank you again!. On to the next video to get her started again.

We are so grateful for this video. We bought our clock and didn't prepare it well for transport. After we removed the weights, the chains quickly slipped off one by one. Your video saved the day!

This shows the amazing power of the internet. Thank you so much for this video! I am not a clock mechanic but I am the stupid fool who took the weights and chains off when moving houses so the clock wouldn’t get damaged. But then, I had no idea how to put it all back together. That was until I watched your video and BAM! All fixed! Thank you so much!

Might be the single most helpful grandfather clock video I’ve found online! Thank you for making such a helpful video, you’ve saved us all a ton of time and money ❤

THANK YOU SO MUCH! while moving from MD to NC the packers pulled all the chains tightly and then it was over tight, I got the chains off and finally got the right and left chair on but had no idea how to do the middle chain. you video has told me how now...thanks so very much. It's so hard to get a grandfather clock man to come out so I have resorted to use RU-vid...lol...thanks so very much...lovely easy video.

Thank you! Right weight chain was completely off my 1972 Ridgeway grandfather clock; followed your video and fixed it perfectly. Hardest part was opening the chain link to remove the end tags!

My father assembled a clock kit in the '70s. When he passed in 2009 I moved the clock to my home and the chains had fallen off during the move. Reattaching them was a mystery to me. So for 13 years the clock has sat silently. Thank you so very much for helping me to once again bring life and a voice to this beautiful heirloom.

Thanks Todd! The the chain for the middle weight of my clock came off the sprocket. With your detailed instruction I was able to put it back in place without too much difficulty. My clock is up and running again.

Thank you for explaining things so simply. Wonderful directions. You saved us $150+.

Thank you, Todd. This saved me considerable cash by allowing me to fix a chain end that had gotten caught up in the quarterly chimes' sprocket. It took me only 20 minutes to fix it!

Found this video because we inherited a Howard Miller 610-202 clock and it was transported to our house with the chains off. Was worried we'd have to call a repairman because I could not figure out how we'd get to the middle sprocket, but this has given me hope. Thank you for putting this video online for us know-nothings! :)

Thank you for this video. My clock hasn’t worked in about 8 years and low priority for clock repair in a shop. I was able to fix it myself in a matter of under 20 minutes using the wire trick. My center chain had come off years ago and now my clock is keeping time once again on my30 year oldHoward Miller grandfather clock. It was a breeze thanks 5o you showing this simple trick that works. Thanks again!

YOU ARE SO PATIENT WHEN MECHANICAL REPAIRS. EXCELLENT TEACHING METHODS

Thank you, Todd for the advice. I was able to reach up with fingers on either side of the wheel and work the chain around and down.

Thank you! Thank you!!! I know this is an older video, but you helped me fix my heirloom clock. I am really grateful that you made this video and explained the “how to” so well!!! Thank you, again!!! ❤️

Hi Todd, I'm a new subscriber. My clock is a German make that came with the Emperor Kit. It has been very dependable but occasionally one of the weights just drops off. I have no idea why but the end result is having to reinstall the chain and put the weight back into it's casing. Your video was very helpful in helping to get things back together. It's working well. Thanks. Incidentally, I'm an 82 year old widow.

Very helpful, you have knack of explaining things. Thank you so much.

Thank you sir, this is exactly what I was looking for my Herschede Bellini and you couldn't have instructed this better.

Thank you so much! This video was a huge help in getting my dad's clock going again.

This was a great video! The technique was easy and explained so well. I did it myself and feel so proud!

Thank you so much just got a Hammond with a Hermele movement and your video was soooooo helpful. The previous owner never got it to work. We put chains on and it did.

Oh my Goodness, THANK YOU SO MUCH. We are doing a remodeling job and someone took the weights, chains and pendulum off. Now it's time for me to put it back together. I didn't take it a part so I had no idea on putting it back together. Thank you, Thank you for sharing and teaching.

Thank you so much. I accidentally removed one of the 3 chains and wanted to replace it myself--thanks to you I did!!

Great video. Detailed and clear. Helped me fix my clock and it took me just 30 minutes or so - once I found the wire to loop around the gears. I recommend taking the door off the clock. Easier to get your hands in and around where you need to pull the chains.

love old world time pieces. your videos are great.

I was hoping to find a video that would lead me in the right direction.but this one Sir, took me all the way. THANK YOU!!!.

Thank you for this wonderful video. I was able to repair my grandfather clock when one of the weights spontaneously came apart after 30 years of use and detached the chain from the gear.

Your video just saved us $375. Thank you. The tip about using 18 gauge wire was so helpful. We have a 1980's Ridgeway Tempus Fugit chain driven grandfather clock. We recently had to remove the weights to move the clock. I actually raised the left and right weights too high and couldn't get the weights off. Thanks to your video we remedied the problem. Somehow in the process the chain for middle weight came out. Question: Does the middle chain feed from left to right? Thank you

TOD *thank you again. There is one repair man here in Gainesville. I called him & have an appointment. Hope he can repair our old beautiful grandfather clock

Thank you very much. You have convinced me that I have no business getting into my grandfather's Clocks gears and chains since my sprockets overlap and are hard to get to. Best leave this to an expert.

Thanks a lot for your helpful video my grandmother just recently passed away and I ended up with her beautiful grandfather clock the chain had came out years ago and now I know how to put it back in.

I'm glad I found your channel. My wife bought me a Herschede grandfather clock (model 325, 3 weights) for my birthday. I've always wanted a nice antique clock & she found a nice looking one on Craigslist. It's missing the pendulum & the chains are off. I'll use this video to give it a shot on my own. I'm wondering how to get the mechanism out of the cabinet. I can see the wingnuts on either side holding it in place. I guess I take off the clock hands but do I pull the face off too so the mechanism comes out the front? Which other videos of yours do you recommend me watching first? Thanks!

I found this video extremely helpful ! Big love from Malaysia ! Sub !

Thank you 🙏🏻 After This video I have the courage to fix mine! Because the chain was stocked so wish me all the best!

Very interesting and helpful. Thank you. Just a small point, all grandfather clocks do necessarily have side access panels to access the movement. My clock's hood has to be lifted off for this purpose. Thanks again.

Thank you, so very much for your tutorial reinstalling middle chain. I have a Ridgeway Grandfather 363.

Thank you. Extremely clear and informative.

Thank you so much Todd! I appreciate your knowledge and your help. God bless.

Thanks Todd. I do believe I saved me from a bout of frustration and a few choice swear words. My 1979 Ridgeway grandfather clock (I just bought had the chains removed by the former owner after I asked he let me prepare the clock for travel) and I thank you.

Thank you so much. I inherited a clock that my grandfather built and the weight broke off due to old chains. It is important for me to keep this clock working!

This was great information and excellent teaching! Thank you!

You did a beautiful instruction of how to replace chains.

Awesome video , I bought a 75 Seth Thomas grandfather clock at Goodwill for Fifty bucks that needed some clean up and work, two of the chains came off with the help of this video I had them back on in a few minutes, I ordered a new weight hook from clockworks.com soon as I receive it I'll be watching the clock setup video..

Thanks for showing this, Todd, it was exactly what I was looking for. 🤩A big thumbs up for this video.👍 And even though I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♂️ much about 🕰 I am fascinated learning how to do things like this so I am going to subscribe and check in occasionally to see what’s up. Thanks again for sharing.

Thanks, great job of showing and explaining !

Thank you we got a clock from a estate sale and the chains were off. I lucked out small hands I was able to put chains back on. Running great

My chains have circular eyelets so they can be installed either way I used a plastic tie to fish the chain. It is flexible but it keeps straight just enough to push through. Like your videos

Good video.👍🏼✌🏼 I have a Moathe Grandfather clock. My issue is the centre sprocket for the pendulum (I believe) keeps turning. It doesn't click or have any tension. What's the issue?? 🤔😁 How does the pendulum connect?

Hi Todd, thank you so much for your videos! You're always so clear and so thorough with your explanations and demos. I have a quick question about a fairly old grandmother clock that hasn't been in use for awhile. It still keeps time, but the chiming mechanism is off. The quarterly chime drive gear is moving way too fast and is going non-stop the moment the weight is loaded. The hourly chime is only working sporadically. We tried oiling the wells, but didn't seem to fix the problem. Any tips on things to try at home, without having to take the clock apart by a professional? Thanks again!

Thank you, I just inherited a Viking grandfather clock that my Grandpa built in the 70’s. Wish me 🍀

hi my name is todd also i have a howard miller clock chain driven clock that does not chime. my question is how do i set the time ? do you move the big arm clock wise or counter clock wise? when i got the clock the right (looking at the clock) chain was off and i set the time by turning the big arn clock wise. please help if u can

Thank you for this video, it was very informative!

I bought a 2nd-hand Colonial gf (1970’s). Chime and strike work well but the time stops at :59 every hour. If I pull on the weight chain it will tick again. If I move the hand past the hour point it will chime and strike. I put the pendulum back in motion and it keeps good time until the :59 mark. Is there some servicing of the time chain and weight that will help this situation?

Todd thanks so much for this video, you saved a griving daughter... My dad pass away after a terrible accident and the thing he loved the most was one clock similar to this, and this video help me fix the mistake my mom made. I'm gonna watch the rest of the videos to learn how to keep ot running

Thanks! I was able to do the outside chains without much fuss just feeding them in from the sides without any other tools, but that center one has me stumped. I will give it a try with some wire.

I bought a Howard Miller triple chime, where for whatever reason, the guy took the chains out. With the movement still in the case, I found the ideal tool was a mechanic's retrieval tool. They're a flexible wound-wire choke cable about 2 feet long with a button on one end that extends a tiny claw on the other. I simply hooked the chain in the claw and was able to reach right into the movement, and set the chains onto the sprockets

Thanks so much for the informative video. I've been trying to find someone to help with this for over a year! It took awhile but I got it done! NOW where can I find replacement hooks for the weights. I lost one. No luck on the Howard Miller side

This was an excellent piece of work. I had no idea how the mechanics really worked nor how to replace a chain. 30 minutes later my clock is back in business. Thank you!

Hi Todd, How do you get the right replacement weights for a grandmother clock? I have a tempus fugit and we have lost the weights.

Four of the chime rods (Westminster) fell out of my Howard Miller 610-897 grandfather clock. I would like to remount the chimes into their holder. In appears that each of the rods is held in place by it's own screw. These screws are not easy to turn with a conventional screw driver. I haven't been able to find any instructional videos or information on how to reattach these chimes in their holder. Can you provide any guidance?

Very nice video, and very helpful. Thank you

my roommate inherited a Tempus Fugit Grandfather Clock.and had it moved, but now it is not workin..thanks for the info..will watch your other vids to troubleshoot the situation...I love a challenge...hope to hear it chime

Hi there I just bought a Erhard jauch uhrenfabrik emperor grandfather clock made in Germany made in 1977..I am trying to put the chain on the right side gear but it won't turn..yours from this video is made different can you help me?

Wonderful Info. Saved $200 by going "fishing" with the wire around the sprocket.

Thank you! This was super helpful!!! 😉👍

Thank you your videos are very helpful!

Thanks so much!! Great video tutorial!!

Very helpful video solved a lot of problems for me

I feel like such a dummy. A couple nights ago, I realized I needed to raise the weights on my clock. I lifted up on the middle weight and began to raise the chain. I was distracted and didn't realize the weight had lifted off the hook until the chain came out the other side. Now... I have to get the chain back where it belongs. It just haaaaaaad to be the center weight. I made several attempts tonight but the lighting was bad and my hooker was too stiff. I'll try again tomorrow. Thanks so much for the how to. The closest clock repairman is over an hour away and $$$.

im wondering about the position of the chime shut off lever. Is the chime shut off lever the long lever on the right of the mechanism, that is in "up" position? Is the lever in the up position the "chime off" mode? My franz hermle 451-053 does not chime, but clock works. The right and left weights dont go down, but center does, and clock itself works fine. Just the chime does not work. My lever is in "down" position. thanks.

clear, simple and straight forward. thanks very much

Thank you for the video, confused about what is right..is it from the back of clock or front ? My grandfather clock is mounted on the wall so I'm going by feel.. facing the clock the left side chain needs to be put back in. Thank you in advance

Hi Todd I watched your video on changing the chains a grandfather clock. My grandmother's clock that she left me, has 1 outside chain gear

this was super helpful, thank you so much!

Good morning. Could you tell me if for a grandfather clock with a chime the weight that weighs more has to go to the center ??? thanks

Hi Todd, I got a grandfather clock by Coloniar and it works fine but Chime . do you have any clip for chime?

Cora / 31 from Alaska here. 1st order of import, THANKYOU for the time you’ve taken to help with my very specific inquiry , refreshing , so again, your time is definitely appreciated ,, With the feeding through of the chain, since there are the teeth that the chain loops fit over and are easily rotated into the direction you want to feed the chain , is it feasible to place the chain onto the teeth and then manually manipulated to spin the chain up and over , continuing until the chain is in the desired length . (I am writing this while watching , starting after threading the first , left , chain. Random , but letting it be know ) Again, THANK YOU THANK YOH THANKYOU

I'm 81 years old and followed your video to hanh 2 chains out of 3 on my Barwick grand father clock 194422, just had it cleaned. the middle chain was alredy on (I can see why). Now to see if it will keep time. Thank you, Michele

I recently purchased a Howard Miller grandfather clock from someone and it came with a broken chime rod this is my first grandfather clock I'm wondering do I have to replace the whole chime block or can I just replace the one chime rod it has a brass screw that the rod is embedded in and it broke off flush of the screw it is a side mount chime block any ideas any help would be grateful thank you and I love you videos I'm very informative Charles

Hi Todd, My brother who was a Horologer recently passed away, leaving behind some work that was complete and some that still had to be looked at. I have at our shop, a grandfather clock movement that I need to return to the client and re-install into its cabinet. watching this video about re-installing the drive chains has somewhat calmed me down and prepared me for the delivery and re-assembly of this grandfather clock. I do have other questions in regards to placing back the hands at the right ringing position, as well as properly placing the suspension and pendulum back. do you have other helpful videos that can guide me somewhat? As my brother was receiving work from outside sources as well, a horologer is difficult to come by where we are situated. Can you help?? Thank you

Center chain has been impossible for me to get. I can't remove side panels or any of the housing so I have no side view. I can get wire up in there, but can't bring it around and down the other side. I'm working blind. Any advice?

Todd I know you said the heaviest weight on right and lightest on the left, my clock is strange they are almost the same weight 4 LB, 4.6 LB and 4.7 LB. so is that the order from left to right?

So, I got my grandfather clock 'cleaned/tuned up' and now it will not continue working. Even when I start the pendulum swinging, it goes for maybe four to five minutes and gradually slows to a stop. I have leveled the clock side-to-side and front-to-back, and the pendulum is not hitting any of the chimes, but it doesn't continue swinging for more than five minutes. Any ideas of what I could look for to get this clock going for more than 5 minutes? Thanks.

I am new to Grandfather Clocks, really have no real experience other than 2-3 months or so. I have a Howard Miller Clock, and have been pulling the weights down from left-to the middle and then the far right. I have a chain pull for all 3 weights. It’s a 1972 clock. Well early this morning the weights we’re getting low and I pulled them up in the same order I described above. All even high. When I was pulling the 3rd far right weight, I noticed it would intermittently chime, that perhaps the chains may have been making them vibrate. A few hours or so later, I learned I hadn’t heard any of the chimes sound off at all. The time keeping was correct, but no chimes at all, not on the quarter, the hour or 30 mins turns. Nothing at all. I noticed only the middle weight had come down a little, the 3rd weight on the right did not come down at all. The far left weight wasn’t really noticeable to me if it had. My clock does not have side access panels, but has a rear access panel. I was able to retrieve the 3 rd weight chain and gradually and carefully gain some slack to make the chain a bit longer. I reattached all the weights back on and the clock moves, but I still have no chimes at all. I’m not sure if that 3rd weight being hung up may have knocked the clock sync or timing off, if that’s even the correct terminology to use. Anyone have any suggestions? I used it for 3 months and it worked great. When I pulled the back panel off the back, I noticed 1 of the hammers frozen in the pulled back position . The other hammers seem to be flush with the strings/cords. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

i do have a question and i hope you will see it to answer it i took off the weights when moving the clock from house to house but i have weighed all 3 weights and the right one like you said is heavier..the center and left are equal weights..does it matter which weight i put on first .. just curious thank you ..i suppose i will start with the heavier one or does it matter?

Great video, it really helped me getting the chain back in, but how do I know how high to set the weights?

Oh, yes! You did help! Thank you so much :)