How To Regulate Your Clock For Accurate Timekeeping.
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The faster the pendulum swings, the faster the minute hand will turn. A basic principle of physics is that the
length of a pendulum determines how fast it swings. A short pendulum swings faster than a long pendulum.
You can remember this principle with the phrase "A SHORT DOG’S TAIL WAGS FASTER”
You can change the effective length of the pendulum by raising or lowering the pendulum bob on the
pendulum stick. If you push the bob up, the clock will run faster. Lower it and the clock will run slower. If you
turn the nut clockwise you will be raising the bob. If your clock runs too fast or slow, the best way to correct
this problem is to set your clock to an accurate watch or clock.
After 24 hours, record how many minutes your clock is running too fast or slow. Then adjust the bob up or
down the pendulum stick to change the pendulums effective length. You’ll need to take an educated guess
as to the distance. Reset the clock minute hand time to your watch or clock again. Repeat this process
every 24 hours, recording the results, and readjusting the bob until you are within 3 minutes of the correct
time.
Then, switch from recording every day to recording every week. Use the same process described,
recording the time difference, adjusting the bob up or down every week, until the clock is accurate within
approximately 3 minutes per week. Remember, mechanical clocks are not as accurate as quartz or electric
clocks! A three-minute error per week is not bad. Maybe you can do better.
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