How to Safely Prepare a Grandfather Clock for Shipment

If you own a grandfather clock, there are big chances that it has been passed down from one generation to the next, which makes is a highly valuable family heirloom. If you find yourself in that situation, you will want the antique clock to stay in the family – in good condition and intact.

However, you might be wondering how can you move the grandfather clock without damaging or breaking it? Well, you are reading the right article. In it, you will be able to read about the steps you should take to safely pack and ship the clock. Let’s take a look at the steps:

Step 01: Remove the Pendulum

Make sure that you carefully stop the pendulum from moving. Hold it at the middle and slowly lift it in order to remove it from the suspension spring that holds it in place. You should not force it since it should be easily unhooked. Wrap newspaper or cloth around the pendulum to prevent it from moving during transport.

Step 02: Remove the Weights

Depending on the type of clock you have you will need to follow specific steps:

1. If the clock is chain-driven, pull the chains until the weights are halfway to the upper side. Tie the chains together with a wire or duct tape, hence, they will not come off during transportation.
2. If the clock is cable-driven, you should fit blocks of hard foam or newspaper above each pulley. Wind in the weights one at a time until they stop so that the paper, foam, or cloth is jammed above the pulley. This will prevent the cables from tangling once you remove the weights.

Unhook the weight, remove them, and make sure that you mark each weight so that you know where to place them when you reassemble the clock. Wrap the weights in protective material and pack them in a box.

Step 03: Secure the Chains or Cables

Once you remove the pendulum and weights, make sure that the chains or cables are not intertwined with each other. To prevent them from tangling, wrap the on bubble wrap or newspapers. Secure them with a rubber band and you are good to go.

Step 04: Take Care of the Movement

Next, you should check if there is any movement, and if it is not secured, you should remove it and pack it separately. Pack the dial and movement upright in a well-padded box so that you can keep the clock hands safe and prevent them from being damaged during shipping.

Step 05: Secure the Access Panels

When you dismantle the clock, you should reinstall the access panels and secure them in place. You can secure them by taping or locking them. Also, if there are any doors or windows, make sure that you lock them as well.

Keep in mind that there are professionals that can help you with moving your grandfather clock, and ff you want to learn more about grandfather clock shipping, visit here.

Conclusion

By following these five steps, you will be ready to get a sturdy box, pack your grandfather clock, and move it to a new location without it being damaged. You will also make the whole process easier, less time-consuming, and less overwhelming for you.