A grandfather clock is tall, top-heavy, and full of delicate moving parts that must be secured before it goes anywhere. It's part furniture, part precision instrument — and the inside is what matters most.
Before moving anything, remove the weights, the pendulum, and the chime rods/hammers, wrapping and labeling each so you know its position. Left in place, the weights and pendulum swing and can bend the movement or snap the chimes. Wear gloves — skin oils tarnish the brass.
Pad the chime rods and tie back or cushion the hammers so they can't bang against each other in transit. Tape down or remove any loose shelves and the glass panels, or pad them well. The glass door should be secured so it can't swing open.
Wrap the whole case in moving blankets and move it upright, never on its side or back, with at least two people — the height makes it tippy. Strap it upright in the truck so it can't lean. It's heavy and the case is often antique, so careful handling matters.
At the new place, level the clock, rehang the pendulum, reinstall the weights in their correct positions, and reset the chimes. Many owners have a clock technician re-regulate it after a move. Grandfather clocks are a specialty item — our crews handle delicate antiques carefully; see our antiques moving guide and furniture protection guide.
The weights, the pendulum, and the chime rods/hammers — wrap and label each. Left in place they swing and can bend the movement or snap the chimes.
No — move it upright, wrapped in blankets, with at least two people, and strap it upright in the truck. Laying it down can damage the movement and the case.
Yes — skin oils tarnish the brass weights and pendulum. Handle them with gloves and wrap each piece individually.
Often, yes. After reassembling and leveling it, many owners have a clock technician re-regulate the movement and chimes for accurate timekeeping.
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