How often do I need to wind it?

Most antique mantel clocks run for eight days. You wind them once a week on a designated day to build a routine. Turn the key smoothly until you feel firm resistance. Don't force it past that point.

Why does my clock stop ticking?

The clock might sit out of level. The pendulum needs an even beat on both sides of its swing to keep the escapement running. Listen to the tick. If it sounds uneven, try sliding a folded piece of paper under one side of the base.

I inherited a heavy black stone clock that chimes every half hour, but it runs way too fast and gains about twenty minutes a day. Can this be fixed?

Black slate and marble clocks usually have a small square hole above the twelve o'clock mark on the dial. This controls the speed. You use the smaller end of your winding key to turn the arbor inside that hole. Turning it left lowers the pendulum slightly and slows the mechanism down.

My wooden clock has two winding holes on the front dial, and I am not sure which one does what or if I need to wind both. What do they do?

The hole on the right winds the timekeeping mainspring. The hole on the left winds the striking mechanism for the bell or gong. You can wind just the right side if you want the clock to run silently. Winding both keeps the time and the chimes running together. Always wind both springs fully. Some makers set the striking train to stop the clock if it winds down first.