The problem with cuckoo clocks is at least two-fold. The pendulum is out in the open and susceptible to air movements that disturb the motion of the pendulum. If it's near an HVAC vent, open window, or a door that is frequently opened, there's no hope of it keeping accurate time. The wooden pendulum is also a problem in that it is not only susceptible to temperature change, which causes a change in length and, thus, the period of the pendulum, but also to changes in humidity, which causes a change in the weight of the pendulum, skewing its center of mass. The accuracy of a pendulum is a function of its length to its center of mass. Many clocks have a metal pendulum that is enclosed in a surrouinding case, which reduces the number of problems associated with timekeeping in cuckoo clocks. If a cuckoo is not keeping even close to good time, try moving it to another location with a more stable environment.
@@dperry428 good comments, so many things can affect the exposed wooden pendulum. None of those issues with this location. The two clocks that have been here before ran great-one with a pendulum in a case and one a large cuckoo like this one. Thanks for watching and commenting. Possibly the first pendulum was more susceptible to temperature and humidity due to it's open carvings.
I never would have looked for it if I hadn't gotten that Waterbury calendar clock. It was the only resource on how the calendar mechanism worked. But I learned a lot more than that from reading it! Thanks for watching and leaving comments!
I too have found The Modern Clock a valuable tutorial on the details of pendulum construction and theory, and am slowly crawling through the rest of this dense and useful book. What a find! Thanks for the video
Yes this book actually made me appreciate the pendulum as the complex, integral part of the movement that it is. Before this book, I thought of the pendulum as just a weight to toggle the verge, not super important in it's construction. Now I think differently. And I love the drawings on how to cut your own wheel.
Yes very good information. Most newer movements have the pendulum length on the movements but the older clocks dont. The pendulum stick length is very important. Great video. Thanks for the shout out. God bless you and yours.
After replacing this pendulum with good results, and the recent question coming up in one of the groups, I thought this might help someone. Thanks for watching.
I knew that fancy pendulum didn't go with the clock, but I loved it so. I see there is so much about the pendulum, but surprised the cuckoo clock is such a worry.
@@justmike57 I have had to work on it multiple times. I have another railroad cuckoo that is rock solid, always keeps good time, no issues running. Not so with this cuckoo quail.
The problem with cuckoo clocks is at least two-fold. The pendulum is out in the open and susceptible to air movements that disturb the motion of the pendulum. If it's near an HVAC vent, open window, or a door that is frequently opened, there's no hope of it keeping accurate time. The wooden pendulum is also a problem in that it is not only susceptible to temperature change, which causes a change in length and, thus, the period of the pendulum, but also to changes in humidity, which causes a change in the weight of the pendulum, skewing its center of mass. The accuracy of a pendulum is a function of its length to its center of mass. Many clocks have a metal pendulum that is enclosed in a surrouinding case, which reduces the number of problems associated with timekeeping in cuckoo clocks. If a cuckoo is not keeping even close to good time, try moving it to another location with a more stable environment.
@@dperry428 good comments, so many things can affect the exposed wooden pendulum. None of those issues with this location. The two clocks that have been here before ran great-one with a pendulum in a case and one a large cuckoo like this one. Thanks for watching and commenting. Possibly the first pendulum was more susceptible to temperature and humidity due to it's open carvings.
Your videos are very interesting. I have an earlier edition of The Modern Clock by Goodrich - very good book.
I never would have looked for it if I hadn't gotten that Waterbury calendar clock. It was the only resource on how the calendar mechanism worked. But I learned a lot more than that from reading it! Thanks for watching and leaving comments!
I too have found The Modern Clock a valuable tutorial on the details of pendulum construction and theory, and am slowly crawling through the rest of this dense and useful book. What a find! Thanks for the video
Yes this book actually made me appreciate the pendulum as the complex, integral part of the movement that it is. Before this book, I thought of the pendulum as just a weight to toggle the verge, not super important in it's construction. Now I think differently. And I love the drawings on how to cut your own wheel.
Yes very good information. Most newer movements have the pendulum length on the movements but the older clocks dont. The pendulum stick length is very important. Great video. Thanks for the shout out. God bless you and yours.
After replacing this pendulum with good results, and the recent question coming up in one of the groups, I thought this might help someone. Thanks for watching.
I knew that fancy pendulum didn't go with the clock, but I loved it so. I see there is so much about the pendulum, but surprised the cuckoo clock is such a worry.
@@justmike57 I have had to work on it multiple times. I have another railroad cuckoo that is rock solid, always keeps good time, no issues running. Not so with this cuckoo quail.
Wow, thanks Cheryl
@@whitneykovener thank you! I never really gave the pendulum much thought or credit until I read this book