Clock in 1/8" wood?

[yysasa]

I've been dreaming about making Jennifer clock from John Nelsons Advanced Clocks book. Recently I took the pattern into a closer inspection and I realized that the clock is way too big to place anywhere in my house. On the other hand the book tells you to enlarge the pattern by 155%. However, if I'd use the pattern as is, it would be just perfect size.

Now the question. The pattern calls for 3/16" wood. If I'd use it in 2/3 scale the wood would be 1/8". I was thinking about walnut and maple or walnut and mahogany. Would this be too fragile to use in a clock? A clock as ornate and delicate as Jennifer? Or should I try to modify the pattern for thicker wood (I don't know if it's possible) or use 1/8" Birch plywood instead? I don't know if I could ever get the stain right in plywood, though.

TIA,
-Satu

[woodenfish]

Hi yysasa- perhaps if you would post the finished size of the clock, someone might be better able to answer your question. Just a suggestion.

Hal - woodenfish

[USMC1126]

Hey whats up? I just started making that clock the other day. I am using 3/16 white oak for most of it and the base is about 18.5" wide and I think once its done it will be around 28" tall. I think the 1/8" would be fine, you will see alot of the edges of the wood when you are finished so I would say stick with the hardwood.

King

[minowevie]

Alot of the Jennifers that I have seen are done in plywood. if you do use plywood, get really good plywood. with out void in the filler. and staning isn't a problem. I would like to shrink the clocks to a smaller size myself. that way I could get more of them in my house. but they would be fradgil to cut. so I would sugjest, stacking as much as posabale. even make 2 clocks at the same time. that makes the wood stornger. and use a critit card or a few pieces of tape over the plat hole. so the pieces wont fall through. also. leave the small pieces in, don't take them out. that will give more stabilaty to the wood, I even tape my cuts as I go. making the whole piece strong. that will also give you a place to put your fingures, while cutting. I think 1/8 would give a pretty fragile lacy effect. I would go for it. you will learn. bet it will turn out great. remmber to mesure your tabs, and the slots they go into. so as they will all be fitting good. or just cut them off. and just glue everything together. it will be strong. I also do that all the time. hope this helped good luck. your friend Evie