Moving grandfather clocks, antiques, etc.

[Craig]

Hi all.

I need to get some glass display cabinets, paintings and clocks moved (including an 18C grandfather clock and a large 17C portrait) as well as books, papers, etc. and figure this merits using somebody who is experienced in this.

Does anybody have experience of a firm who do this well, or any other advice?

Many thanks!
Craig

 

[Nigel Watts]

You could try Cadogan Tate. They are both a convetional removal firm and a specialist art shipper. I believe they are used by some of the London auction houses. Prbably not cheap, but if you want the job done properly....

http://www.cadogantate.com/

 

[Lime]

Things like long case clocks are usually better packed by their owner if they have bothered to learn anything about them. (which they usually do)
In all cases the pendulum and weights have to be removed.
Ensure the weights are fully wound up before removing them then the chain/rope will not get tangled in the "works".
The top of the case usually comes off (often there is a catch inside the top of the lower door to allow this) and then the "works" can be removed and packed separately from the case.

Much of what I have said will be obvious to anyone who has moved clocks but IME many removal firms know nothing.
They work on the principle that the least dismantled the better....saves them the job of putting it all back together and removes the responsibility involved with that too.
They just fill it with packing (hopefully) and perhaps keep it upright.
On the otherhand i have seen a long case clock laid on it's side "to keep the pendulum and weights from moving around in the van".

 

[Nigel Watts]

Sorry to be a pedant, but I would recommend that you let your longcase clock UNwind fully before removing the weights. As soon as you remove the weights from a wound clock the lines will lose their position on their winding barrels. If the winding barrels have been grooved, placing the weights back on with the lines in the wrong positions may cause damage to the ridges between the grooves. If the line is fully unwound before the weight is hung there is no danger of this, and as you wind the clock the line should sit properly in its groove on the barrel.

The pendulum, after removal, should be taped to a length of wood to protect the spring part at the top. The mechanism, with dial attached, should be lifted out of the case and packed separately. They usually just sit in place and shouldnt need unscrewing.

A good removal firm will know these things. My worst experience was with Pickfords many years ago. They managed to damage two of my pieces of antique furniture.

 

[Lime]

Sorry to be a pedant, but I would recommend that you let your longcase clock UNwind fully before removing the weights. As soon as you remove the weights from a wound clock the lines will lose their position on their winding barrels. If the winding barrels have been grooved, placing the weights back on with the lines in the wrong positions may cause damage to the ridges between the grooves. If the line is fully unwound before the weight is hung there is no danger of this, and as you wind the clock the line should sit properly in its groove on the barrel.

The pendulum, after removal, should be taped to a length of wood to protect the spring part at the top. The mechanism, with dial attached, should be lifted out of the case and packed separately. They usually just sit in place and shouldnt need unscrewing.

A good removal firm will know these things. My worst experience was with Pickfords many years ago. They managed to damage two of my pieces of antique furniture.

My experience is exactly the opposite.
As you say with those clocks that have fusee winders drums or just grooves the weight wire will jump the groove and cause damage or trouble when setting up.
With your suggestion, no matter how much the weight comes down there will always be some still on the winder which will come adrift.
Also the release of tension in the wire/rope will cause it to twist and snag.
If the weights are fully wound up the tension is maintained on the weight wire so does not come out of the grooves.
That is my experience.

Of course some 28 hour clocks have a continuous loop so this does not apply.

 

[Craig]

This makes me want to hire someone else to do it as I dont know anything about it and those who do, dont agree...

 

[Nemesis]

Well the usual antique trade removal in the past used to be an old Volvo estate with a roof rack, a blanket and a piece of string...


I am sure Nigel's suggested firm will be fine, or you could call one of the 'big' auction houses and ask who they recommend... or a friendly antiques dealer.

 

[Lime]

This makes me want to hire someone else to do it as I dont know anything about it and those who do, dont agree...

To be honest, a great deal of what you do is determined by the clock itself.
The particular clock I always moved fully wound was an Edwardian 8 bell that stood about 9ft tall.
The wire ropes on it were surprisingly small but very long and there were three of them!
I tried unwinding them then moving the clock but there was about another 2ft of wire left on the fusee drums so with the release of tension they got into a fine muddle.
Never again!

 

[Nigel Watts]

There is a way to get the line fully unwound. AFTER (never before!) removing the weights, lift the click on the ratchet with your finger and pull the line fully out.

The same advice, and more tips, can be found on Derek Roberts's site (see url). He is about as grand as it gets as far as clock dealers goes, so I guess he should know!

http://www.derekroberts.com/drclocks/help/index.htm

 

[Lime]

There is a way to get the line fully unwound. AFTER (never before!) removing the weights, lift the click on the ratchet with your finger and pull the line fully out.

The same advice, and more tips, can be found on Derek Roberts's site (see url). He is about as grand as it gets as far as clock dealers goes, so I guess he should know!

Really.
The diagrams shown in the link are very simple movements and the method couldn't readily be used on most clocks that I've owned.

As I said it depends on the clock.

It isn't difficult to find a link to support either view, see:
http://www.overs.co.uk/article/9/1/7stepstotakebeforemovingyourgrandfatherclock.html

But to be fair don't take my word for it have a look at the British Horological Institute site:

http://www.bhi.co.uk/aHints/lctrsp.html

They know what they are talking about.

 

[Nigel Watts]

Touche! I concede that you are also right. An honourable outcome, I think.

Discussion forums are such wonderful things. Who would have thought that one could be drawn into an argument about whether to move a clock in a wound or an unwound state?

If we are not careful we will soon be at war over which end to open a boiled egg. I have always favoured the Lilliputian view....

 

[Nemesis]

Slice or bash?

 

[shelli]

Antiques road show - closing credits - sit it on the back seat poking out of sunroof of 2CV or morris minor - also works for suits of armour.

Serious Question now - can anyone tell me why in Last of the Summer Wine there is almost always a scene with a runaway bath tub - do folk of a certain age really find this so (invariably) hilarious?

 

[Nemesis]

Folks 'of a certain age' don't tend to watch the prog, as far as I know.

Clearly you are an avid fan?