Wooden Clock - Trial & Error

[KtownScroller]

I decided to mount the clock shelf and frame on the wall. What a better place to store it safely (See preview picture on bottom)!

Yesterday I stained the shelf and coated it with polyurethane. Today I added a second coat of poly. I think that will be it for the finish (See picture below). I like the way it looks! I am going to coat the frame with polyurethane this afternoon. I have decided not to stain it and leave it natural. I hope it comes out as well as the shelf.

I am trying my best to get caught up purchasing hardware, making small dodads and finishing the large pieces on the clock. We finally had a nice run of good weather and I figure now is the time to get it all done. After the frame is finished, I am going to stain and clear coat the pendulum assembly, as well as the the weight boxes. This way I will only have the gears to worry about and I can place them in the clock as I make them.

The suspension spring arrived today. Heavens knows what it is suppose to do. The thing is small and looks like it could break easily. I don't know how that is going to hold the pendulum and bob. I guess I'll find out!

Enough for now back to work!!!

[Haggard3230]

Looking good Rick.

[KtownScroller]

The shelf and frame are completely finished, except for the need to clear coat the frame spacers. I assembled the pendulum and bob today, including the addition of the timing adjustment screw and suspension spring. The pendulum assembly has been stained and needs to be clear coated tomorrow. I put the shelf, frame and pendulum together to see how they look. I swung the bob and it continued swinging on it's own for the better part of a half hour. I guess I now know what the suspension spring does. That's pretty impressive if you ask me.

[Haggard3230]

Still looking good Rick.

[KtownScroller]

Nothing to show today. I finished coating the weights, pulleys and pendulum bob yesterday. Everything came out well.

A discussion came about while I was working in the shed yesterday about the value of my clock. My son claims that he would not pay several hundred dollars for my clock or any clock for that matter. My neighbor, who was well intentioned, said I should be able to sell the finished clock for $100. Once he told me that, I realized that the conversation about the clock price must come to an abrupt end! My neighbor has no idea what hardwood, hardware, brass rod, lead shot, stain and polyurethane cost. The lead shot alone cost $30. Two foot brass rod cost around $7 and I will need several of them. Before it is all said and done there will be over $100 in materials sunk into this project.

If I were to set a value, I would need a minimum of $500 for the clock. The clock, of course, will never be for sale. The clock is a representation of my skill and craftsmanship that hopefully will be passed down through future generations. Maybe someday, long after I'm gone someone will say, "That's the clock great grand pop made, isn't it a beauty!".

[evilbadger]

Hey Rick

The clock is looking good so far. Keep going because the most challenging part is yet to come. I am new to this site but I have built a few wooden clocks. An important part is to keep checking even if you think the part is perfect. As you put the gears in take a piece of string and some small fishing weights to spin the gears, make sure to stop the gears in several places and let it go making sure the weight is the only thing making it spin. Check the first gear by itself put a 2oz weight on one side and 1oz on other side make sure it spins then add one gear at a time and check you should not have to add much weight to keep the train spinning until you get to the escapement which is always the most challenging part of a clock. The suspension spring is to keep the pendulum swinging as the escape wheel strikes the pallet that vibration makes the spring move which make the pendulum move. I went to the site where you got the plans so I will look them over and see if I can help you out on some of the questions you may run into.

Good luck
Tim

[evilbadger]

After you finish this one you can try the one I am working on. It can be found here:http://members.iinet.net.au/~andronis/ I will check in to see how you are making out though

Tim

[KtownScroller]

Originally Posted by evilbadger

After you finish this one you can try the one I am working on. It can be found here:http://members.iinet.net.au/~andronis/ I will check in to see how you are making out though

Tim

Tim - That's one cool clock!

[KtownScroller]

Hi Tim - Thanks for all the good information. One of my goals is to make sure each gear meshes freely with it's partner. Sometimes a little sanding is in order and other times I have to make the gear over and over and over... you get the idea. I like your idea with using the weights. That makes sense. I assembled part of the clock and the suspension spring became slightly bent. Good thing I bought two. Maybe I should order two more? Anyway the bob sits slightly crooked either due to the spring or maybe the assembly is slightly crooked. I am going to make a second bridge that holds the pendulum and cut a slight angle in the slot that holds the spring. This should make the bob stand straight without affecting the swinging motion too much. I like making the clock... it is quite a challenge. It sure would be nice to have some laser cut gears. Thanks again!

[evilbadger]

Hi Rick

Here are a few pictures from my nightmare. The weights in the picture are from another clock that is why they don't look right, just for testing purposes.
I will take a look at your drawings a little later today so if you run into something I might be able to help you out.

Tim