Answered4 years ago
How will my Grandfather clock react to Thailand's hot and humid climate?
Hi All
Serious question
I have a lovely/ tall/ mechanical Grandfather clock that I would like to keep when we move to Thailand
BUT, my wife has just asked how will the wood (that it is made from) react in a hot humid climate
Yes I appreciate we can use a dehumidifier/ possibly the settings from an Air Con unit to lower the humidity but does anyone have any idea or experience how such a wooden feature would react under such circumstances especially if it was left for 3 months at a time without any humidity control
Thanks in advance
Hope you all enjoy your weekend
Serious question
I have a lovely/ tall/ mechanical Grandfather clock that I would like to keep when we move to Thailand
BUT, my wife has just asked how will the wood (that it is made from) react in a hot humid climate
Yes I appreciate we can use a dehumidifier/ possibly the settings from an Air Con unit to lower the humidity but does anyone have any idea or experience how such a wooden feature would react under such circumstances especially if it was left for 3 months at a time without any humidity control
Thanks in advance
Hope you all enjoy your weekend
Answer summary
A user inquires about the impact of Thailand's hot and humid climate on their Grandfather clock, particularly concerning the wood's reaction over time without humidity control. The community responds with various insights, mentioning potential wood expansion and contraction, pest concerns such as termites, and the necessity of proper care and maintenance. Some share experiences of wooden items adjusting well or suffering damage in similar climates, while others recommend assessing import duties and considering professional advice for preservation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of wood type and craftsmanship quality in determining how well the clock will fare in Thailand.
43 repliesnewest first
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J ******************
Get the wrong govt official be prepared to be hammered with various government charges, worse case scenario could be more than the value of the item ,hopefully not but easily could
Kevin *******
Need to sing that song from frozen !
Jhon *******
It's the mechanism you may have the most trouble with, if you love the clock perhaps you might consider gifting it to a family member or selling it to to someone who loves it as much as you? Free Willy , and yourself , so too speak.
Kevin *******
Leave your shit behind ! New life new everything !
Linz ************
OP@Kevin ******
I hear you and yes, I see your point but some ‘materialistic things’ have memories deeply embedded in them as much as you are correct, to actually let go is sometimes more emotional than physical
Jody *******
@Linz ***********
Leave it with someone you can trust. It will get ruined here. It's unlikely you will want to stay in Thailand as long as you think anyway, as it's common for people to come over thinking they will stay long term & find it's not what they thought.Linz ************
OPSafe travels
@Julane ******
we are their for just over 3 weeks as well, flying next month 😀👍🏼Julane *******
@Linz ***********
Most of our retired friends shifted from Bali to Thailand now. Too congested with traffic in the coast 10 years. I'll be spending a month there in May...always nice to visit.Linz ************
OP@Jody ******
NottinghamshireJody *******
@Linz ***********
Where are you in the UK?Linz ************
OP@Jody ******
good point, sadly we have no-one in the Uk to leave things with for safe keeping, our children are settled in Australia and New Zealand, if Thailand doesn’t work out long term (8+years) then Bali is on our radarJulane *******
Have a Japanese high quality wood table...no nails. (bought in Yokohama in 1999). Have had it in Singapore for 15 years, which is probably more humid than Thailand. We don't use air conditioning, just natural air. No problem with the wood.
It's currently been kept in a non aircon storage unit, while we decide where we want to live in Thailand. I checked it last week and still looks great. I'm actually surprised. But isually air flow and stable conditions are better that occasionally using aircon.
On the other hand, metal, paper, or anything glued, doesnt do well in the tropics.
It's currently been kept in a non aircon storage unit, while we decide where we want to live in Thailand. I checked it last week and still looks great. I'm actually surprised. But isually air flow and stable conditions are better that occasionally using aircon.
On the other hand, metal, paper, or anything glued, doesnt do well in the tropics.
Dave *********
When I lived there I did take with me two very old clocking in wall mounted clocks made from oak.. they were fine..what you have to watch out for is TERMITES they will destroy the wood if they get to it.. otherwise all good ... just make sure you fully disconnect the pendulums and the feathers in the clock for transportation purpose . But there are plenty of clock repairers in the city.. Customs will hammer you on import duties though ..20 years ago they hit me with a 10k baht import duty..
Julane *******
@Dave ********
that was on the entire shipment right? Like a big container? Our friends shipped their household last year including a big screen tv and prob 30 wall paintings and paid under 5000B in taxes.Dave *********
@Julane ******
it was just a small shipment of decorations for a bar I was opening .. not that much really .. it was at the old customs depot though Don Muang Airport customs before the New airport was even built.. probably more corrupt in those days..Julane *******
@Dave ********
yes, I heard from friend who moved to Bangkok 10+ years back...they paid a high amount too.Linz ************
OPThank you
@Dave ********
and W0W!!! and that was back then
Jack ****************
Actual woodworker here. Depends on the type of wood and construction. By itself that is not super helpful. We could try to derive this data, but as a general rule... If the quality of construction was good at it's origin it is probably good now. People understand to humidity 100 years ago. People like to romanticize old wooden stuff... If it was made to last 100 years ago it can probably handle Thailand. If it is the 100 year old version of Ikea it won't handle it.
Linz ************
OP@Jack ***************
thank you, yes, must be 50 if not 70 years oldJack ****************
@Linz ***********
I sent most of my life thinking an heirloom bassinet was a woodworking masterpiece only to learn it was something my great grandfather hacked together out of whatever was on hand. If you aren't on the cult of woodworking or antiques it can be tough to say.Unless you think it is life alteringly valuable don't let it make you a slave. Go live your best life.
Linz ************
OP@Jack ***************
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank You
Richard *********
word of advice: I have a 130 year old Wooden music box in the states and there is no way i would bring it over to thailand< the humidity would ruin the wood
Casey ******
@Richard ********
I just talked with Thailand. They don’t want that shitbox here either. Perfect scenario.
Richard *********
@Casey *****
??Linz ************
OP@Casey *****
harsh
Jo ****
We have one. After bringing it here to Thailand 26 years ago wood is fine but workings have stopped. Got it fixed a few years ago but it stopped again.
Olivier *********
@Jo ***
where did you have it fixed, please?Jo ****
@Olivier ********
. Just in a local shop in Udonthani.Olivier *********
@Jo ***
No such shops in Samui nor in Suratthani province as far as I know 🙁
Stuart *********
Here’s some light fun evening reading for you.
***********************************************************
*****
-018-1720-8Kool *******
The big problem you have is not the humidity itself, but with what else is in the air, and I'm not talking about pm2.5 dust particles. Just as an example, and doesn't represent anything about your clock, I am a photographer, and used to shoot in very wet situation in the rain. I had a professional bag with a ground glass front plate, and the rest was heavy plastic. I used it a few times here, then didn't use it for about 18 months. when I went to use it again all the heavy plastic was completely destroyed, as in just some small pieces, and powder. I'd used it many times in other countries, with high humidity, and stored longer, and it was always like brand new, except in Thailand.
Gerry ********
Termites?
James ***************
Might be worth asking
They deal with lots of grandfather clocks.
******************************************
They deal with lots of grandfather clocks.
Linz ************
OP@James **************
I might just do that as looking at the replies/ import fees etc, I might be tempted to sell it though I would be sad to see it go, it sounds beautiful when it chimesJames ***************
@Linz ***********
- the auctioneer in question are based in Pattaya, Thailand. I am sure they would be happy to give you advice on your options and how to take care of your grandfather clock, if you decide to ship it here. Just drop them an e mail. Good luck!
Thomas *******
Depending on the Wood,....it may have to go through the quarantine process where they open it up and check for pests or diseases (your word is not good enough), and/ or then go through the radiation process.
Kool *******
@Thomas ******
if it is unfinished wood, then it would be fumigated, not irradiated.Thomas *******
Kool *******
@Thomas ******
my experience is with many wooden pallets.
John *****
Depending on where you are. If you are up north, temp gets up to to over 40c with high humidity, the wood would expand and contract in winter. Can your clock take it?
Russell *******
Do you know what timber it's made from?
Stuart *********
Definitely falls under the “and everything else” category😀
I’ll let the wood experts advise on this….
You may find there is a Facebook group about such stuff. No idea if one exists.
I’ll let the wood experts advise on this….
You may find there is a Facebook group about such stuff. No idea if one exists.
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