Hanging and Setting Up a Wall Clock Securely

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Hanging the Wall Clock
Over the years, even a light clock will eventually loosen a hook or screw that is set only in drywall.  All pendulum clocks rock slightly while they are running.  Add to that the extra downward pressure from the weekly winding, and you can see why so many clocks do fall from walls.
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To make sure that your clock is not at risk for a fall, be sure to use a stud finder to locate a stud.  Set a nail or a screw into the wall at a slight angle, so that the point goes down into the stud.  Make sure that the nail or screw is long enough to bite deeply into the wood of the stud.

If a stud is not a possibility, use a molly bolt or other heavy duty wall anchor.  Remember that clocks can be heavy.  An eight-day cuckoo clock with three weights can weigh 15 pounds or more.  If a small child pulls on one of the weights, the downward pressure can easily exceed 50 pounds.
 
Setting Up the Wall Clock
Remove any packing material from around your clock.  If your clock has chimes, make sure you remove the packing material from around the chime rods and check that the hammers are free to move.
 
Hang the clock on a securely mounted hook or screw on the wall.  Hang the pendulum on the pendulum leader (a small brass or steel strap or a wire bent to form a hook) that hangs below the clock movement.
 
Hanging the Weights
Weights are usually hung with the lightest weight on your left and the heaviest weight on your right.    Modern weights are often marked with an L (Left), a C (Center), and an R (Right). 

However, in many wall clocks, the weights weigh the same and are interchangeable. Cuckoos and two-weight wall clocks are often in this category.

If your clock has cables, be careful that the cable doesn’t slip off the pulley wheel while you are hanging the weights.

Getting the Clock in Beat
 
Pendulum clocks must be level to run properly.  If instead of an even tick … tock … tick … tock, your clock runs with a tock tick …… tock tick …… your clock isn’t level.  Try moving the bottom of the clock to the left or right until you hear a nice, even tick … tock.  

At this point, your clock should be hanging securely on the wall, ready to give you years of pleasure.