The weights of the grandfather clocks provide the motive force that drives the clock mechanisms. They are the ones that are able to make the clock move and keep the clock ticking. They usually have a weighted insert with a brass shell. Grandfather clocks rely on three weights to keep them working on time. The left grandfather clock weight provides the power for the clock to chime every hour and half hour. The center weight is responsible for the actual time keeping, while the right weight powers a special chime melody for the clock. Grandfather clocks that have stopped working may have encountered a problem with the weights. Grandfather clock weights of original and antique clocks are usually made from either wood or brass, but it is also good to know that you can make weight from any recycled tin cans.

Making Weight from Tin Cans

Recycling materials is a way to save money and the environment. One way of recycling is making grandfather clock weights out of tin cans when you have a clock that stopped telling accurate time. Here’s how:

1. Contact the clock manufacturer in order to determine the right weight needed for your grandfather clock. You could also measure the original weights and contact any clock repair shop to get any information. Each clock is based on the manufacturer, and weights would differ if they are cable or chain driven.

2. Remove the lid of the can. You can empty the contents and clean it out thoroughly. Then fill each can out with sand until you reach the right weight for your grandfather clock. After each step, have the lid of the can replaced and seal the can with a super glue variant. Match the color of the structure when you spray paint the tin cans. Allow the weights to dry.

3. Mark each weight with their position using a permanent marker. Drill the can from the lid through the center and screw in an eye hook. Squirt a line of super glue around the seal to secure the eye hooks and allow this to dry completely.

4. The next step is to locate a cable pulley for each of the three weights of the grandfather clock. Each weight must be attached to the correct and its corresponding cable only. Make sure of this so that your clock will tell time accurately. Hand the eye hook of the correct weight on the cable pulley.

5. Finally, raise the weights as high as possible using the cable crank every week. Every day, the weights should be pulled slightly lower as they power the grandfather clock. Insert the crank mechanism into the key hole of the grandfather clock and turn clockwise until the tin can grandfather weights are lifted.

Tip: Check the weights and the clock from time to time and make sure that that the time is still accurate. If there are some inconsistencies with the clock’s timekeeping skills, go over the process again and make a new set of weight for your grandfather clock. If this still fail, contact the local clock repair shop.

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