Grandfather clocks hold sentimental value, often passing through generations as cherished family heirlooms. However, these heirlooms weigh anywhere from 100 to 300 pounds. Transporting these delicate yet hefty antiques requires extra care to ensure they remain intact. If you’re looking to trim moving expenses and handle the relocation yourself, read on for a comprehensive guide on how to move a grandfather clock safely.
Before Moving a Grandfather Clock
Before moving a grandfather clock, consider the following tips:
- Wear Gloves: We recommend wearing gloves to avoid damaging any delicate pieces.
- Inspect the Clock’s Condition: Examine your grandfather clock for any damage, missing keys, or screws. Fragile areas may complicate the moving process, so take note of them.
- Measure Doorways: Grandfather clocks, standing at up to 8 feet tall, may pose challenges in tight spaces. Measure doorways at both the origin and destination, and if uncertain, consult professional movers.
- Use a Moving Truck: Due to their size and fragility, transporting grandfather clocks in a car is impractical. Rent a moving truck and always keep the clock in an upright position.
- Reassembly Care: When reassembling the clock, wipe it down with a soft damp cloth to remove any accumulated dust during transit. For thorough cleaning, seek professional assistance.
Supplies for Moving a Grandfather Clock
Before moving a grandfather clock ensure you have the necessary supplies:
- Furniture blankets
- Moving dolly (rentable from home improvement stores)
- Moving truck (with a ramp)
- Cleaning cloths
- Cotton gloves
- Scissors
- Permanent marker
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Masking tape
- Moving boxes
- Cable ties
- Packing paper
- Cardboard
- Cable ties
- Moving help (at least one or preferably two individuals)
How to Move a Grandfather Clock in 11 Steps
Follow these steps for a safe transport:
1. Gather Your Tools:
Round up your supplies to prepare for an organized disassembly.
2. Disassemble the Grandfather Clock:
Wearing gloves, remove the front and side glass panels.
3. Secure the Hanging Chains or Cables:
For chains, stop the pendulum, wind weights three-quarters of their length (but no more to avoid damaging the chains and sprockets), secure with cable ties, and wrap each chain with packing paper. For cables, insert folded packing paper above each pulley and wind weights to the top. The cable should be tight when you try to move a weight.
4. Remove the Weights:
Remove and label the weights, individually wrapping them in bubble wrap or packing paper. Note, many grandfather clocks will have three, non-interchangeable weights. If the weights are not already labeled, include the corresponding location (left, center, right) on the packaging.
5. Secure the Chains:
If your grandfather clock had chains, tape bundles of individually wrapped chains together to prevent swinging.
6. Remove the Pendulum and Secure the Guide:
Stop the pendulum, unhook it gently, and wrap with packing paper. During transit, the pendulum should be moved horizontally. Then, wrap the pendulum guide with packing paper and secure it in place.
7. Protect Chime Rods, Shelving, and Ornaments:
If present, wrap chime rods with bubble wrap and tape. Then remove any fragile ornaments, glass shelves, and the top or face if possible. Wrap each item individually and label the box as “fragile.” If the top of the clock is hollow, fill with packing paper.
8. Protect the glass:
Reinstall the front and side panels. Install cutouts matching glass panel sizes using cardboard or bubble wrap, securing with masking tape.
9. Wrap the Grandfather Clock:
Wrap the clock with moving blankets, securing with tape. If available, slide a box with the top and bottom removed to the middle of the clock for added protection.
10. Get Help to Move It:
With assistance, tilt the clock backward, move the dolly under it, secure with straps, and load to the back of the moving truck. Finally, secure it to the side. While on the dolly the clock should be protected by one person behind and at least one person in front.
11. Reassemble the Grandfather Clock:
Follow the disassembly steps in reverse order. Once the pendulum is moving, set the correct time.
Hiring Clock Movers
It is best to hire professional help if you’re unsure you can provide the level of time, attention, and care that is required to safely move a grandfather clock. Another thing to consider is injury to yourself by moving this weighty item. Finally, if you find your clock is in a particularly fragile condition, it might be best to seek the support of a professional.
Unsure if you can tackle this on your own? When in doubt, seek help. Taskers can help move and keep secure your grandfather clock for a seamless and safe transit.
Moving a Grandfather Clock FAQs
How much time does it take to move a grandfather clock?
The process can take one to two hours, excluding transit time.
How much does it cost to move a grandfather clock?
Costs vary but can start from $400, with an average range around $1,000, leading up to $4,000.
Can I move a grandfather clock by myself?
Moving alone is not advised due to the clock’s weight and fragility.
What are the benefits of hiring a Tasker for moving services?
Hiring a Tasker can make this job go like clockwork ensuring time savings, safe delivery, cost efficiency, and a personalized touch during the moving process.
