The Grandfather Clock – Timeless Americana
A long distance or cross-country move is never as simple as just throwing a few things in boxes, loading them onto a truck and making the trip. No, exceptional care must be taken in order to make sure that all of your items, particularly those with financial or sentimental value, arrive at their new home in one piece and still functional. Heirlooms, electronics, antiques, classic furniture, or pretty much any high-end items will require some specialized treatment to ensure their safety.
Many houses, and even some businesses, are home to grandfather clocks, those tall, wooden time pieces with large faces and glass enclosed works. They provide a touch of class and elegance to any location, while at the same time being fully functional. Quite often, these pieces are handed down from generation to generation, and the importance of preserving them becomes more important with each set of hands they fall into. So of course, when the need arises to transport a grandfather clock, it is imperative that the proper steps be taken, in the correct order, to make certain that your grandfather clock survives to be handed down to those next in line for it.
Preparation For the Move
This valuable heirloom may have stood the test of time (no pun intended) for years in your home, but now the time has come to relocate in a new city or state, and while the process of moving your grandfather clock may seem like a daunting one, with a little judicious planning, it can became and enjoyable and memorable adventure. As with any move, the key is in planning ahead. Doing so makes sure your grandfather clock remains in pristine working order.
What You Need:
- Plenty of soft cloths and gloves, as these will help to protect the grandfather clock’s delicate finish and prevent scratches and scuffs that all too often accompany a move.
- Packing paper, bubble wrap, and moving blankets. Again, the more protection you have around the unit, the more likely it is to arrive unblemished in your new home.
- Packing tape and cardboard boxes. These are staples of any move, long or short, and should be kept in ample supply.
- A hand truck. Also known as a “dolly,” this is what you will be using when the clock actually changes position from home to truck, and later from truck to new home.
- Your basic tool kit with wrench, screwdiver and pliers, along with some plastic baggies to store screws, nuts, or any other small parts.
- A set of helping hands. Do not scrimp on the assistance. You do not want to try and maneuver a grandfather clock all by yourself.
Securing The Moving Parts
The grandfather clock will need to be at least partially disassembled in prep for the move, particularly the pendulum and the weights. It is advisable to use those soft gloves and cloths we mentioned to handle the removal. They should be wrapped in bubble wrap or moving blankets to prevent damage and labeled so they can be located later on. Label each of the weights with the position it corresponds to (right, center, left); doing so will make reassembly much easier later on. Lastly, place these items in a marked box and secure with packing tape. Make sure those boxes go when the clock does and keep them together.
Securing the Clock Itself
Some clocks are cable driven, so you will want to make sure those cables are secured to prevent the tangling that can and so often does occur on moves like this. Cable ties or twist ties should be sufficient for the job. If the clock is driven by a chain, the chains will need to be removed and placed in a baggie, clearly marked for identification later.
Securing the Exterior
This is vital, because the exterior of the clock is what most people will first see and notice, and the last thing you want are scratches, nicks, or other blemishes. Make sure to close and lock the clock door, then wrap the whole thing in bubble wrap, preferably several times over. You will have to work hard to overdo it. Secure all wrapping with packing tape, and if you want to throw some blankets over it, so much the better.
Moving Your Grandfather Clock
Okay, it’s game time. You’ve prepped and you are ready. The first thing to remember is that grandfather clocks can be heavy and awkward, so secure a couple of extra hands to help you out. Carefully lift the clock and place it solidly onto a hand truck or dolly, and make sure it is well balanced, not likely to tip over or fall off. If you wish to tie it down, now is the time.
Be sure to have a ramp leading up to the truck or trailer that will be hauling the clock. This is not something you just heave in the back. Place the clock against the wall of the trailer or truck and tie down with ratchet straps. Do this tightly in order to prevent movement. Remember that often during these road trips, items may shift due to sudden stops or maneuvering. You want to make sure that the grandfather clock is not going anywhere until you are ready for it to do so.
Final Destination and Reassembly
Once you have arrived, do everything in reverse. Secure some assistance to help remove the clock from the truck. Use the dolly or hand truck to carefully maneuver the clock inside and into its new location.
Reattach the weights and pendulum, based on the labels you created earlier. Some folks like to take pictures or videos of the disassembly in order to make reassembly easier. If the clock has leveling feet (and most do) adjust them to make sure the clock is standing straight and is stable.
Start Your Clocks
You will need to gently start the pendulum swinging and then set the time on the clock face by adjusting the minute hand clockwise. Let the clock run for a few hours, making sure there are no glitches or problems with its performance and timekeeping.
Keep in mind that you may have to watch the clock (no pun intended) for two or three days to make sure there are no discrepancies in the clock’s accuracy. If there are, adjust the pendulum weight by turning the nut at the base of the pendulum rod, clockwise to go faster, and counterclockwise to go slower.
Enjoy!
You have done it! You have successfully relocated one of your most cherished possessions or heirlooms into your new home or business location, and because of your proper and efficient planning, it should continue providing its own unique brand of functional elegance for many years to come.
Moving, particularly long distance moving, can be a challenging endeavor, but taking the proper steps, in their proper order, will go a long way towards making sure that your moving project is a successful one. Because there is nothing as satisfying as a job well done.
