How To Move A Grandfather Clock
How to move a grandfather clock? Clocks are easily damaged during transport because the impact may cause them to stop, and additional steps should be taken to protect against breakage and damage during transportation.
If the Clock’s pendulum is not tied down (secured), a small force can cause it to swing up and hit the top of the Clock, causing it to change positions or even potentially breaking the glass protecting it.
How To Move A Grandfather Clock
Is there anything more beautiful than a grandfather clock? They really compliment any décor.
Their graceful designs and ornate accents make for a piece that’s truly impressive and one that can be handed down from generation to generation.
Here is our guide on how to move a grandfather clock:
1. Round up your tools and supplies
Start by gathering all the necessary moving tools, supplies and equipment. To ensure your giant grandfather clock is moved with the utmost care and attention, we recommend wearing gloves or a clean cloth to remove parts.
You’ll also need moving blankets, padding, and bubble wrap to protect various parts inside and outside of the grandfather clock you plan to send home with us.
Other essential moving equipment includes light protective bags on wheels (which can be rented from your local Home Depot), crates and boxes to hold packing material to secure each part of your large grandfather clock during transport, and a sturdy pallet to hold everything tight while in transit.
2. Make Reservation of truck rental
Moving a grandfather clock out of your home can be as easy as renting a van. You could rent a box truck, small moving van, or trailer to do the job, and you probably won’t need more than that!
If you have room and want to hire professionals to move things for you, Moving.com has helped thousands of people by matching them with the right professional mover.
3. Enlist the help
Grandfather clocks require care when being transported from place to place. While it may be possible to move a Grandfather Clock by yourself.
We highly recommend having at least one person nearby in case assistance is needed. It’s important to ask family or friends as far in advance as possible since it takes special training to transport a large clock safely.
Should you run into any difficulties hiring hourly movers for the task, please call on moving.com’s Labor Center powered by Hire Helper.
These labor-only movers will come to your house and move the grandfather clock with care during their visit, so you won’t have to worry about lifting the thing a single inch.
4. Get Familiar with the Grandfather Clock
While many different kinds of grandfather clocks are available, they all operate similarly.
The pendulum, a metal device that swings back and forth inside the Clock, is supported by the pendulum guide. Inside the body of the Clock, you’ll also find a set of hanging weights (usually three).
These weights are supported by chains or cables, which act like pulleys. Most models will present the sides and front glass panel display on top.
5. Removal of glass panels
Before moving a grandfather clock, you should always disassemble the parts inside first. Do not try to Move a Grandfather Clock under any circumstances without taking it apart first.
Begin by putting on your gloves and removing the Clock’s side and front glass panels. These fragile panels must be carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and extra padding to prevent them from breaking while in transit.
Make sure they are packed inside a moving box labeled “Fragile.”
6. Tie cables or chains to prevent from tangling
Next, reach inside through the side panel and wind (or crank) the weights almost to the top. Holding the ends of the cables or chains together with your hands while securing them in place, use one of two options.
Packing tape or a twist tie. This will prevent them from becoming tangled up in each other while ensuring it’s easier to take down and transport.
7. Removal of weights
The clock weights can weigh between 3 pounds to 6.5 pounds per weight, so it is wise to use bubble-wrap or other protective methods.
For the Clock to perform at its best, the weights will need to be placed in the exact location they were situated before the move; once removed, label and store them in this manner in a corresponding box until after the move.
8. Removal of the pendulum
To remove a pendulum, one must first stop it from swinging back and forth. Typically, the means you will need to unhook the pendulum from its intended guide carefully.
You can wrap it in bubble wrap or some other paper to ensure it is transported safely.
Then it would help if you put an appropriately sized box around the pendulum so that there is plenty of padding between the moving scrap metal and whatever else inside the box.
9. Remove the top of the Clock
If it’s possible to remove the top of the grandfather clock without damaging any part of it, be sure to do so carefully and place it on a table.
Wrap the face of the Clock in bubble wrap and secure it with packing tape. Then, wrap either some shipping paper or bubble wrap around the entire grandfather clock itself, securing that with packing tape before moving onto another box.
10. Move the Grandfather Clock to the truck rental
Once the individual parts of the Grandfather Clock have been packed away, it’s time to move on to wrapping its exterior.
We suggest either padding, moving blankets, or both wrapped around the perimeter of the Clock for extra protection.
If you like, we can even pack the Clock inside of a box that has both it’s top and bottom open (which would let you easily slide it onto a dolly), allowing you to wrap it with padding and moving blankets if desired.
With a bit of help, place your Grandfather Clock it onto a dolly and tilt it back slightly so that the wheels are all resting firmly on the ground ahead of you.
Related Posts
