When moving, we removed the weights from our antique tall case clock and wound the gears up so the extra line wouldn't hang and get all tangled up. Now we are unable to remount the weights because there is not enough line to get the little wheel around the line and then hang the weight. We are unable to get the gear to go in reverse to get some additional line. Any suggestions?

Max, March 2011

First don’t try to move the gear backwards.
With the pendulum removed see if you can get a finger round the cord and gently pull the cord down. At the same time activate the lever/mechanism that would move with the pendulum . the clock should run, freeing up enough cord to allow you to wrap it around the weight wheel.

Maurice, March 2011