Since 1972, I have been asked thousands of questions about clocks. As a service to my customers I thought it would be helpful if I answered some of the most frequently asked questions on line. Please feel free to write in with your questions and we'll answer as many as possible.

Dear Clock Lady,
I just had my clock cleaned. When I got it back it ran 8 days but know I have to wind it every four hours. I wind it until it feels stiff but I'm afraid to overwind it. What is wrong with my clock?

Stuck in Utah

Dear Stuck,
You can not overwind your clock. Since you have recently had your clock repaired the mainspring is clean and well lubricated. So go ahead and wind your clock until you can not wind it any tighter. If you are afraid to wind it too tight it's OK. You will just have to wind it more often. If it's tightly wound it will run for 7 to 8 days.

Sue

Dear Clock Lady,
My wall clock runs well only if it's crooked on the wall - What's wrong?

Joe Calie

Joe,
Your clock is a little “out of beat.” Take it to a clock repair person. It simply needs a minor adjustment.

Sue

Dear Clock Lady,
We have a Grandfather clock that’s about six (6) years old. When we bought it the clock man said don’t move it around. We want to paint the room and are wondering should we paint around it or should we have a clock person come and move it for us?

Al

Dear Al,
You can move the clock yourself if you are careful and follow these simple steps:

1. Check your clock to make sure that it is level.

2. Using a towel or soft cloth remove the weights. If the weights are not marked ‘left -center - right’ then mark them yourself. The weights have to go back on the clock in the same order in which they came off.

3. Remove the pendulum.

4. Move the clock and reassemble by reversing the above order.

Sue - The Clock Lady

Clock lady - Help;
I just bought an Edison Model 30 Cylinder player. One cylinder came with the player and it plays great. I bought a bunch of additional cylinders two of which are almost new but I’m having trouble. When I put the new cylinders on they will not play. However, when I put the old one on it plays great. Do I need a new needle assembly?

Dave

Dave,
Look carefully at the new cylinders you bought. A Model 30 Edison is a four (4) minute player. It will only play cylinders which are black. If your new cylinders are blue than they are two (2) minute cylinders and will not play on the model 30.

Sue - The Clock Lady