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2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Grandfather Clock? Wrong! If the Grandfather Clock is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Grandfather Clock then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Grandfather Clock? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Grandfather Clock and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Grandfather Clock wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Grandfather Clock then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Grandfather Clock site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Grandfather Clock, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Grandfather Clock, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

case, c. 1790, by Thomas Ross of Kingston upon Hull.

A longcase clock, also tall-case clock, grandfather clock or floor clock, is a freestanding, weight-driven, pendulum clock with the pendulum held inside the tower, or waist of the case. Clocks of this style are commonly around 1.8-2.4m (6-8 feet) tall. The case often features elaborately carved ornamentation on the hood, or bonnet, which surrounds and frames the dial, or clock face. The English clockmaker William Clement (clockmaker) is credited with the development of this form in 1670. Most longcase clocks are striking clocks, which means they sound the time on each hour or fraction of an hour.

The terms "grandfather", "grandmother", and "granddaughter" have been applied to longcase clocks. Although there is no specifically defined difference among these terms, the general perception seems to be that a clock smaller than 1.5m (5 feet) is a granddaughter; over 1.5m (5 feet) is a grandmother; and over 1.8m (6 feet) is a grandfather.

Traditionally, such clocks were made with two types of movement: eight-day movements and 30-hour movements. A clock with an eight-day movement required winding only once a week, while the generally lower-priced 30-hour clock had to be wound every day. Eight-day clocks are often driven by two weights - one driving the pendulum and the other the striking mechanism, which usually consisted of a bell or chimes. Such movements usually have two keyholes on either side of the dial to wind each one (as can be seen in the Thomas Ross (clockmaker) clock illustrated to the right). By contrast, 30-hour clocks often had a single weight to drive both the pendulum and the chimes. Some 30-hour clocks were made with false keyholes, for customers who wished that guests to their home would think that the household was able to afford the more expensive eight-day clock. All modern chiming grandfather clocks have 8-day movements. Most grandfather clocks are cable-driven, meaning that the weights are suspended by cables that wrap around a pulley mounted to the top of each weight. Such clocks are wound by inserting a special crank (called a "key") into holes in the clock's face and turning it. Others, however, are chain-driven, meaning that the weights are suspended by chains that wrap around gears in the clock's mechanism, with the other end of the chain hanging down next to the weight. To wind a chain-driven grandfather clock, simply pull on the other end of each chain until the weights come up to just under the clock's face.

In the early 20th century, quarter-hour chime sequences were added to grandfather clocks. At the top of each hour, the full chime sequence sounds, immediately followed by the hour strike. At 15 minutes after each hour, 1/4 of the chime sequence plays, at the bottom of each hour, half of the chime sequence plays, and at 15 minutes before each hour, 3/4 of the chime sequence plays. Almost all modern mechanical grandfather clocks have at least Westminster Quarters, and many also offer the option of Whittington chimes or St. Michael's chimes, selectable by a switch mounted on the right side of the dial, which also allows one to silence the chimes if desired. As a result of adding chime sequences, all modern mechanical grandfather clocks have three weights instead of just two. The left weight provides power for the hour strike, the middle weight provides power for the clock's pendulum and general timekeeping functions, while the right weight provides power for the quarter-hour chime sequences.

How longcase clocks came to be known as "grandfather clocks" and weights.

During the 19th century, two brothers named Jenkins worked as managers at the George Hotel in Piercebridge, County Durham, England. One of the brothers died and, according to the story told to Henry Clay Work in 1875, the clock (made by James Thompson (clockmaker)) began to lose time. Repair attempts were made, but failed. When the other brother died at the age of 90, the clock stopped running altogether, and was never repaired in remembrance of the brothers.

Work decided to write a song about the story of this clock, which he called My Grandfather's Clock. The song became popular, and it is from this song that the current usage derives.

Historical manufacturers

• Richard Donisthorp (floruit 1797), of Loughborough, England
• Luman Watson Cincinnati, Ohio (1790-1834)

Current manufacturers

• Howard Miller Clock Company
• James Stewart & Sons
• Seth Thomas Clock Company
• Ridgeway Clocks
• Colonial Times Clock Co.
• D' Clock Boutique.

External links

• Charles Edwin on the evaluation of antique clocks
• Care guide for valuable antique longcase clocks

case, c. 1790, by Thomas Ross of Kingston upon Hull.

A longcase clock, also tall-case clock, grandfather clock or floor clock, is a freestanding, weight-driven, pendulum clock with the pendulum held inside the tower, or waist of the case. Clocks of this style are commonly around 1.8-2.4m (6-8 feet) tall. The case often features elaborately carved ornamentation on the hood, or bonnet, which surrounds and frames the dial, or clock face. The English clockmaker William Clement (clockmaker) is credited with the development of this form in 1670. Most longcase clocks are striking clocks, which means they sound the time on each hour or fraction of an hour.

The terms "grandfather", "grandmother", and "granddaughter" have been applied to longcase clocks. Although there is no specifically defined difference among these terms, the general perception seems to be that a clock smaller than 1.5m (5 feet) is a granddaughter; over 1.5m (5 feet) is a grandmother; and over 1.8m (6 feet) is a grandfather.

Traditionally, such clocks were made with two types of movement: eight-day movements and 30-hour movements. A clock with an eight-day movement required winding only once a week, while the generally lower-priced 30-hour clock had to be wound every day. Eight-day clocks are often driven by two weights - one driving the pendulum and the other the striking mechanism, which usually consisted of a bell or chimes. Such movements usually have two keyholes on either side of the dial to wind each one (as can be seen in the Thomas Ross (clockmaker) clock illustrated to the right). By contrast, 30-hour clocks often had a single weight to drive both the pendulum and the chimes. Some 30-hour clocks were made with false keyholes, for customers who wished that guests to their home would think that the household was able to afford the more expensive eight-day clock. All modern chiming grandfather clocks have 8-day movements. Most grandfather clocks are cable-driven, meaning that the weights are suspended by cables that wrap around a pulley mounted to the top of each weight. Such clocks are wound by inserting a special crank (called a "key") into holes in the clock's face and turning it. Others, however, are chain-driven, meaning that the weights are suspended by chains that wrap around gears in the clock's mechanism, with the other end of the chain hanging down next to the weight. To wind a chain-driven grandfather clock, simply pull on the other end of each chain until the weights come up to just under the clock's face.

In the early 20th century, quarter-hour chime sequences were added to grandfather clocks. At the top of each hour, the full chime sequence sounds, immediately followed by the hour strike. At 15 minutes after each hour, 1/4 of the chime sequence plays, at the bottom of each hour, half of the chime sequence plays, and at 15 minutes before each hour, 3/4 of the chime sequence plays. Almost all modern mechanical grandfather clocks have at least Westminster Quarters, and many also offer the option of Whittington chimes or St. Michael's chimes, selectable by a switch mounted on the right side of the dial, which also allows one to silence the chimes if desired. As a result of adding chime sequences, all modern mechanical grandfather clocks have three weights instead of just two. The left weight provides power for the hour strike, the middle weight provides power for the clock's pendulum and general timekeeping functions, while the right weight provides power for the quarter-hour chime sequences.

How longcase clocks came to be known as "grandfather clocks" and weights.

During the 19th century, two brothers named Jenkins worked as managers at the George Hotel in Piercebridge, County Durham, England. One of the brothers died and, according to the story told to Henry Clay Work in 1875, the clock (made by James Thompson (clockmaker)) began to lose time. Repair attempts were made, but failed. When the other brother died at the age of 90, the clock stopped running altogether, and was never repaired in remembrance of the brothers.

Work decided to write a song about the story of this clock, which he called My Grandfather's Clock. The song became popular, and it is from this song that the current usage derives.

Historical manufacturers

• Richard Donisthorp (floruit 1797), of Loughborough, England
• Luman Watson Cincinnati, Ohio (1790-1834)

Current manufacturers

• Howard Miller Clock Company
• James Stewart & Sons
• Seth Thomas Clock Company
• Ridgeway Clocks
• Colonial Times Clock Co.
• D' Clock Boutique.

External links

• Charles Edwin on the evaluation of antique clocks
• Care guide for valuable antique longcase clocks

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