> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://clockworks.crisp.help/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How do I remove Mechanical Clock Hands?

*   [Knowledge Base](https://www.clockworks.com)
*   Removing the Mechanical Clock Hands

### Article sections

## Removing Mechanical Clock Hands

Removing [Mechanical Clock Hands](https://www.clockworks.com/clock-parts/clock-hands.html) is fast and easy to do. The following are hand removal instructions for [German mechanical movements](https://www.clockworks.com/clock-movement.html) post WW2.

### German Post WW2 wall, mantle and floor models

Removing mechanical clock hands for post WW2, mantle and floor clocks is quite simple. Turn the [hand nut](https://www.clockworks.com/product/german-clock-hand-nuts) to the left while holding the minute hand with fingers. Use some small needle nose pliers to loosen the nut first. Once the nut is loose, you can turn it with fingers until it comes off. Then the minute hand will be able to wiggle straight off its square arbor and off of the clock. The hour hand is a friction fit, so just twist the hour hand back and forth and pull toward you until it comes off. If you have a second hand bit, that is only a friction also, so just grab it with fingernails, twist pull off.

### American Antique time and strike

These type of movements come in two styles. If there is a [minute hand nut](https://www.clockworks.com/product/american-hand-nuts), the first style is the same as above. Be very careful not to lose this hand nut. They are very hard to find and replace. The second style of mechanical clock hands will have a pin holding the minute hand on instead of a nut. This [pin tapers](https://www.clockworks.com/product/clock-repair-tapered-pins), meaning it's fat on one side and skinny on the other. Just grab the fat side with needle nose pliers and yank the pin out. The minute hand will fall out with a [washer](https://www.clockworks.com/product/clock-hand-washer-assortment). Save the [washer](https://www.clockworks.com/product/clock-hand-washer-assortment) and the [tapered pin](https://www.clockworks.com/product/clock-repair-tapered-pins) for ease of reinstalling the hands. If these items happen to get lost, Clockworks offers washers and taper pins for purchase, as well as replacement mechanical clock hands.

_The content of this website is copyright by [Clockworks](https://www.facebook.com/ClockworksUSA) and written by [James Stoudenmire](https://www.facebook.com/james.stoudenmire) in year 2020_

Last Updated: 2 months ago in

### Related Articles