Wooden Clock - Trial & Error

[KtownScroller]

It was raining earlier, so I thought I might see if I could figure out how to make an exact reverse copy of my gear pattern. As luck would have it, CorelDraw 12 allows me to open the parts.pdf file and manipulate the drawings. I loaded page #25 into the program and by accident, deleted the background picture, leaving only the actual drawing. I then discovered that I could mirror the drawing without distortion. I then saved the new reverse gear drawing to a different pdf file and printed it out. As a final test, I put the original printout back to back against the new reverse drawing and both pictures match up perfectly!

To top it all off, it was suppose to rain all day and the sun just peeked out from behind the clouds. Maybe things are starting to turn around?

[Hobbyhorse]

That is good news Rick....thanks for that.

Rhys

[KtownScroller]

Four hours in the shed and a new plan of attack produced a very good gear. The reverse pattern idea worked out well for this particular gear. The original pattern was created for the wrong side of the gear. It was fixed to the same side as the 2" x 1" support ring. This forced me to drill the pin gear holes before the ring was in place. Once the pattern was removed and the ring glued on, I had to re-drill the (12) 3/16" holes causing all kinds of ugly problems. The drill did not want to follow the original holes making the original holes larger or the drill came through the original holes crooked. This was the source of most of my frustration with the first two compound gear attempts. The reverse pattern allowed me to attach the pattern to the opposite side of the gear blank. This in turn allowed me to leave the pattern in place, since I could now glue the ring to the side where the original pattern was, but no longer is. Basically, I was able to drill the holes in one step instead of two. This produced rather clean, accurate holes.

The new compound gear has very little if any run out. This is important to insure that this gear meshes well with its counterpart. On my test block of wood the two gears work very well together. After much trouble, I will call this gear a success!

[Wood Dog]

Good for you Rick.........I knew this project was not dead.
Looking forward to more WIP pictures, and some badly needed SUNSHINE, I've had it with this rain too.

[Haggard3230]

See what happens when you "sleep on it". Glad you got it figgerd it out Rick.

[KtownScroller]

Today is one of those days when it's time to catch up on a few things. Thinking ahead, I am going to need pivot pins, brass pins, oak pins & shafts, brass screws, brass rod, brass washers and a suspension spring. The suspension spring listed in the plans no longer exists! At least the supplier listed no longer carries this item. I substituted a similar looking suspension spring and have my fingers crossed that it will work. Actually I don't have a clue as to what the suspension spring does, other than attach to the pendulum. If anyone knows anything about suspension springs I would appreciate their input (calling Hobbyhorse & CalMcC). A picture of the suspension spring and assembly, as well as the frame assembly can be found at the bottom of this message. I don't think I am infringing on the designers plans by showing a few snapshots of the plans. This particular plan is free to the general public.

If I get out to the shed today I am going to work on getting the frame assembly dowels cut, drilled and tapped. I would like to assemble the frame and have it ready for the gears as I complete them. My gear train test boards are OK, but the real McCoy is better. I can then sand the teeth on each gear as I complete it, so as to insure that everything runs smoothly together.

I also think I am going to start finishing some of the parts that are completed. On bad weather days I can easily finish sand, stain and clear coat finished parts. Maybe this will encourage me to get those gears cut. Actually, now that I have somewhat of a good plan of attack on the gears I should not run into too many roadblocks (assuming everything fits together ).

[Wood Dog]

Rick you may want to look at this site, it explains what a suspension spring is for. Suspension Springs with Clock Pendulum Parts

[KtownScroller]

Originally Posted by Wood Dog

Rick you may want to look at this site, it explains what a suspension spring is for. Suspension Springs with Clock Pendulum Parts

Thanks for the link Wood Dog.

[KtownScroller]

The original plans called for the dowels to be drilled and tapped, using a variety of short pieces of threaded rod to tie everything together. I decided to change the design a little and drilled thru holes in the dowels, while waiting for my cook-out company to arrive today. Instead of using short pieces to hold everything together, I decided to use long brass rods that will be threaded on the ends (held together with eight brass nuts), to hold the clock frame together. I ran out of time today to finish the rods, so I will thread the eight rod ends tomorrow.

I mounted the clock on the wall for inspiration. I also placed the finished gears in the clock to get an idea of what it all will look like. My cook-out company was surprised when I told them the clock will actually work when complete... I hope.

[Hobbyhorse]

Looking good Rick....you should be very proud of your workmanship.

Rhys