How to Move a Grandfather Clock: 20 Steps for a Clockwork Move

Grandfather clocks are not only complicated and fine-tuned clockwork devices comprised of numerous gears and springs, but they are also beautiful, elegant, and valuable mechanical pieces of art, abundant with fine ornaments and stylish finishing.

The massive (six to eight feet in height) long-case, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clocks are widely appreciated for their decorative qualities and antique value.

If you do happen to own such an exquisite timepiece, then the last thing you’d ever want is to leave your long-case clock behind when you’re moving to another home. Naturally, the real question here is how to properly move a grandfather clock without damaging the heavy and delicate timekeeping device – its exterior, glass parts, and fine mechanics – in any way.

To pack and transport a grandfather clock without professional assistance is a delicate job, a challenging DIY task that requires many things to go right at the same time. Luckily, we’ve got the best advice on how to move a grandfather clock safely.

That’s right, we’ve got the steps on how to PREPARE, DISASSEMBLE, PACK, and MOVE a grandfather clock – all the steps that’ll work like clockwork.

Here’s how to move a grandfather clock in 20 steps.

Step 1. PREPARE: Inspect your grandfather clock

Soon enough, you’ll learn how to prepare a grandfather clock for moving – see the steps below. But first, it’s important that you inspect your pendulum clock closely and assess its current condition.

The main reason for this initial grandfather clock inspection is that any pre-existing structural damage on the clock – weakened areas or damaged parts – can lead to more serious problems during the actual relocation process.

Inspect your grandfather clock carefully – check its wooden case for cracks or other types of damage and take a closer look at its glass components. Also, check for missing keys, screws, or other fastening elements.

Contact a local watch shop for assistance if you have no idea how to do that initial assessment of your long-case clock.

Step 2. PREPARE: Assess the DIY risk

The best way to move a grandfather clock is to hire experienced professionals to do it for you. But hiring movers will cost you money so you may decide to move your grandfather clock by yourself and save some cash in the process.

Of course, before anything else, it’s time for you to assess carefully the risk of moving a grandfather clock by yourself.

Will you be able to gather up at least two other helpers to give you a hand?

Do you have a utility dolly to move your big and heavy weight-driven pendulum clock out of your home and load it safely onto a moving vehicle?

Do what’s best for your valuable floor clock.

The Biggest Risks of a Self-Move

Step 3. PREPARE: Disassemble your clock to keep it safe

The most important thing you’ll need to know when preparing to move a grandfather clock is that you shouldn’t just lift and carry the valuable timepiece without having disassembled it first.

Similar to a piano, a pendulum clock only seems sturdy and kind of indestructible while in fact, both specialty items consist of extremely delicate components that can easily be damaged forever.

Regardless of the move distance, you must disassemble your grandfather clock before moving it – otherwise, irreparable damage to its inner workings is almost guaranteed.

The detailed steps below will teach you how to disassemble a grandfather clock for moving – make sure that you follow them closely.

Get yourself a pair of cotton gloves before the disassembly process, for the sweat and oils from your hands may stain the brass and glass elements of the long-case clock.

Step 4. DISASSEMBLE: Protect the cables of cable-driven pendulum clocks

As you already know, the safest way to move a grandfather clock is to disassemble it first. The very first disassembly step is to protect its cables or chains (depending on the model) so that they don’t get tangled or twisted up during the move.

Here’s how to protect the cables of a cable-driven grandfather clock:

• Open the front glass panel and stop the clock pendulum from swinging.
• Insert several folded pieces of packing paper above each pulley holding the cables.
• Wind up the weights all the way to the top, one at a time, until the paper pieces get pressed against each pulley.

This safety step guarantees that the cables will remain taut when the weights are removed in Step 6.

Step 5. DISASSEMBLE: Protect the chains of chain-driven pendulum clocks

If you own a chain-driven grandfather clock, then you’ll need to make sure its chains do not get damaged or broken during the house move.

Here’s how to protect the chains of a chain-driven grandfather clock:

• Use your hands to stop the pendulum from swinging.
• Wind up the weights halfway, about three-quarters of the entire length. DO NOT pull the weights all the way up because that can damage the chains and their sprockets.
• Insert cable ties just below the sprocket of each set of chains, then fix those ties in place.

This step will guarantee that the clock chains won’t fall off their sprockets during transport.

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Step 6. DISASSEMBLE: Remove the weights

The process of preparing a grandfather clock for moving follows a number of sequential steps that, in turn, follow their solid internal logic. Therefore, now that you’ve secured the pendulum clock’s cables or chains, it’s time to remove the weights so that you can pack them separately.

Using soft cotton gloves (or a piece of soft cloth), gently unhook each clock weight and see on its bottom whether it’s been pre-labeled.

If it is marked, then that’s good – you’ll only need to pack it properly (see Step 15). If it’s not marked, then you’re going to have to label each weight correspondingly (see the next step) so that you don’t make any mistakes when re-installing those weights in the new home.

Step 7. DISASSEMBLE: Label the weights

Sometimes it’s the small things that will enable you to move a grandfather clock in the best possible way.

Most grandfather clocks have 3 weights and to make things more complicated than you’d like, those weights are not interchangeable because each one weighs differently.

So, it’s very important that you know where each clock weight goes: Left, Center, or Right.

In case the weights are not marked in any way when you take them down, label them by attaching small labels to their bottoms. You can use L for Left, C for Center, and R for Right.

To have a foolproof reference point, always label the weights while you’re facing your grandfather clock.

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Step 8. DISASSEMBLE: Secure the hanging chains

If you’re moving a chain-driven grandfather clock, then you’ll need to secure its chains once you’ve removed the weights. You shouldn’t leave them just like that, hanging freely inside the body of your pendulum clock simply because they can cause serious damage to the internal clock components.

Wrap the chains together in soft packing paper to form 3 distinct sections along their entire length – top, center, bottom. Then use tape to secure those mini paper bundles together and thus prevent any free movement of the metal chains inside the clock.

Step 9. DISASSEMBLE: Remove the pendulum

Now comes one of the most critical steps when packing and moving a grandfather clock – the safe removal of the pendulum itself.

• Remove the side panel to gain access to the clock pendulum and its guide, then keep it safe until it’s time to re-install it.
• Use one hand to reach inside the space where the side panel was a moment ago and get a hold of the pendulum guide.
• Use the other hand to reach the clock pendulum in the front section.
• Lift up the pendulum, gently and slowly, until it unhooks from its guiding mechanism. Do not use more force than is necessary.
• Leave the pendulum you just unhooked in a safe place to pack it up later.

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Step 10. DISASSEMBLE: Secure the pendulum guide

The proper way to move a grandfather clock is not too complicated as long as you pay attention to these disassembling, packing, and moving steps.

Once you’ve unhooked the clock pendulum, it’s time to secure the pendulum guide. In reality, any abrupt movements or shocks may damage that delicate guide so it has to stay immobilized during transport.

Wrap the guide with several sheets of soft packing paper, then keep those sheets in place by taping them or placing rubber bands over them. That will restrict the overall movement of the pendulum guide and will keep it protected throughout the house move.

Step 11. DISASSEMBLE: Protect the chime rods

Some grandfather clock models come with chime rods and if your long-case clock does too, then you’ll also need to protect those rods during the haul.

The thing to remember here is that chime rods are pretty fragile and may break if they are left without any sort of protection. The worst part is that most chime rods are extremely difficult to replace so whatever you do, don’t skip this step.

To protect the chime rods when moving, position small pieces of bubble wrap between the rods, then use tape to fix the protective material. This way, the metal rods cannot come into contact with one another and won’t get accidentally damaged.

Step 12. DISASSEMBLE: Remove glass shelves and wooden ornaments

To transport a grandfather clock safely, you’ll have to remove any glass shelves it may have. Do this very carefully as you don’t want to drop any of the glass components of your pendulum clock, and you don’t want to cut yourself on the glass either.

Also, take off any decorative wooden ornaments that 1) can be removed safely, and 2) look too fragile to survive the move unscathed. Pack both glass elements and wood ornaments in packing paper first, then in protective (moving) blankets.

Finally, re-install the side access panel of your grandfather clock and lock it in position. That access panel (or panels) has to be there so that the glass windows of the long-case clock won’t come out.

Step 13. PACK: Pack the pendulum and the weights

You’ll be glad to learn that packing a grandfather clock for moving is much easier than disassembling it, so the next several packing steps will be the calm before the storm. The storm, of course, is the actual task of carrying and loading the massive weight-driven pendulum clock onto the moving truck.

Pack the pendulum and weights in packing paper first, then wrap them with thick moving blankets. Remember to pack each weight individually so that they won’t be able to touch and possibly get damaged during the move.

Use packing tape to secure the bundles. Transfer them into a strong cardboard box of the right dimensions.

Step 14. PACK: Protect the frontal glass sections

This step is all about making sure that the glass sections in the front of your freestanding clock are well-protected against breakage.

Cut out cardboard pieces that match the shape and dimensions of each separate glass section, then place the cardboard over those easily breakable areas of the floor clock. Use painter’s tape (masking tape) to secure those cardboard cut-outs without leaving nasty glue marks on the glass surface.

Always go for cardboard with maximum thickness. If you feel the glass panels are still vulnerable, then feel free to add an extra bubble wrap layer over the cardboard one. The bubble wrap will serve as an excellent shock absorber during transport.

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Step 15. PACK: Wrap the entire body of the clock

As mentioned above, packing a grandfather clock for moving is pretty straightforward and logical. So, get it done effectively before moving on to the final hurdle – wheeling the huge clock out of the home and loading it onto the moving van.

The final stage of the packing task is to wrap the entire body of the big clock in moving blankets. Don’t leave any sections unprotected and use as many blankets as you need to provide a good level of protection for your valuable possession.

Use packing tape to secure the blankets but be careful not to touch the clock surface directly with the tape because doing so will most likely damage the delicate finish.

Step 16. MOVE: Get friends to help you out

Now that you know how to pack a grandfather clock for a move, let’s move on to the final stage of the clock moving operation – the last few steps that will enable you to take the big clock out of your home and load it safely onto the moving vehicle.

You should NEVER attempt to move your grandfather clock entirely on your own – it’s too risky due to the oversized dimensions and serious weight of that household object. In reality, one wrong move can damage that valuable item forever, and let’s face it – most grandfather clocks are, simply put, priceless.

So, to increase the chances of a trouble-free move of your long-case clock, do not initiate the moving task unless you’ve got a couple of helpers by your side.

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Step 17. MOVE: Load the grandfather clock onto a dolly

The next step is to load your grandfather clock onto a utility dolly – the two-wheeler that is used for moving heavy and tall household items such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, stoves, and some types of furniture as well.

Rent a utility dolly from a local moving company or a truck rental agency, or purchase one from the nearest home improvement store.

Have the two helpers tilt the grandfather clock slightly backward and you slide the moving dolly under the base of the clock. Use the dolly straps to secure the heavy load onto it – use pieces of rope or a separate set of straps if the dolly comes with no straps.

Then, with your friends’ help, tip carefully the dolly backward until it’s well-balanced on its two rubber wheels.

Step 18. MOVE: Keep your grandfather clock upright

Exercise extreme caution while you’re wheeling your grandfather clock out of your home. Be sure to go slowly and never rush things, even when time is against you.

You must do your best to keep your grandfather clock upright at all times. Laying down the clock during transport is not recommended as it may damage the finely-tuned clockwork mechanism inside it.

Antique furniture clocks are even more susceptible to transportation damage when they are laid down on their sides or on their back because of the way their movements are fixed to the case.

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Step 19. MOVE: Load the long-case clock onto the truck

The moment you’ve managed to wheel your prized possession out of your home is exactly the moment you should start thinking about how to load your grandfather clock into the moving truck.

Wheel up the utility dolly along the loading ramp to get it inside the back of the moving van. The loading task shouldn’t be too hard as long as your helpers are there, supporting and pushing the load as you’re pulling it up.

Again, don’t hurry up the loading process, and definitely, don’t underestimate its difficulty level either.

Once safely inside the moving vehicle, strap the grandfather clock to the side to restrict any unwanted movement during the relocation trip.

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Step 20. MOVE: Install and re-assemble the clock in the new home

Hopefully, you’ll already know where you want to put the majestic pendulum clock in the new home.

Complete the re-assembly task by following these very steps in reverse order. Then wind up the clock, set the proper time, and just start it using its pendulum.

Our steps and tips for moving a grandfather clock end with a single piece of advice: don’t move your grandfather clock by yourself when you assess that the risks of damage to it are too high.

As a rule of thumb, if you’ve never moved a weight-driven pendulum clock before, then it’s a good idea to hire professional movers who know what it takes to guarantee the safety of your valuable item.

How much does it cost to move a grandfather clock?

The best way to know the cost of moving a grandfather clock is to request free moving estimates from several grandfather clock movers in your area. In fact, you may be pleasantly surprised by the affordability of those specialty movers.