Building a Working Wooden Gear Clock

Hi. I received recently the magazine and tried to start to build this nice woodend clock. However I found some inaccuracies on the drawings on the attached pattern sheet. I found 1 mm difference in all wheels diameter when I cross-measured them eithei wertically or horisontaly. Is only way to correct this to scan them on the computer and redraw them? Regards Sakari

Dear Sakari, When I measure the wheels on several of the magazines we have here in the office, I don't see that issue. Unfortunately, with any printing process, there is a chance that the paper can stretch a small amount as something is printed. There's really no way to prevent that. Desktop printers are the worst, commercial printers and photocopiers are a little better, and web printers, like the ones used to print newspapers and magazines, are very good at preventing this kind of stretching. We'd be more than happy to replace your issue if you are not satisfied. Just contact our customer service department at customerservice@foxchapelpublishing.com. But, in general, though, 1mm (about 1/32" for those who use Imperial) probably will not interfere with the working of your clock. I'm not sure that as I work around the circular gear cutting with a scroll saw that I can be that 100% accurate unless I was using a CNC router, laser, or water jet cutter. Even with the small wheels, 1mm of error over 506mm (1/32" over 20") would be nearly impossible to prevent with a scroll saw. It's much more important to cut as accurately as possible and use the methods Clayton provides to adjust the running of your clock. Obviously, you want to be as accurate as possible, and small errors can compound over time, but this type of error is easily with a little sanding as you adjust your clock. It will not interfere with the action of your clock. Like the author says...these designs are based on 17th century technologies and I highly doubt they could be accurate to the mm back then. Best Regards, Bob Duncan Technical Editor

Too bad the clock video is not in HD. It would be nice to see the action that the swinging pendulum imparts on the pallets shaft. The video appears to make it look like the shaft is rocking back and forth with the motion of the pendulum. Is this an optical illusion or does it have something to do with the spacer spring that sits behind the pallets?

Hi Rick, That's an optical illusion. There is a bit of front to back motion, but it's not intentional or necessary. Since the pallets are night tight, and do have the opportunity to move front to back a little bit, air currents (even breathing on it from the right angle) or a slight bump when you start the pendulum moving can cause the front to back movement. Unfortunately, we're really in our infancy when it comes to making videos, so we're really not in a position where we can make HD videos yet. Best Regards, Bob Duncan Technical Editor

Thanks for the feedback Bob. Nothing like seeing the clock up close and in person.

Don't know what we've done wrong. Without the weights attached all the wheels want to turn in the proper direction as per the video but once the pallet is attached the escape wheel wants to run in the opposite direction. We have the weights in the correct position as per the photo in the magazine. Getting frustrated but obviously we have something back to front!

Hi Teresa - A few pictures would help us help you figure out the problem.

Thanks for the suggesstion but we're getting closer. We found there was too much play between the rods and centre holes of the wheels so have replaced the rods with larger dia ones and drilled out the holes to fit. Now the pallet is not so confused and driving it all in the correct direction. I just have to align a few of the teeth on the escape wheel as it is sticking in a couple of places stopping the pallet moving - the hole in the escape wheel was obviously not 100% in the centre in the first place - and that is in spite of also doing a check of the wheel after cutting it. Never mind, we will enjoy it once its finished and put up in the house.

Teresa clock making is a masochists hobby and frustration is the norm. LOL Glad to hear that it is progressing. Rhys

i found the this clock was the easest clock that i have built so far and it was the easest one to get to run and keep time. this is the forth clock that i completed so far that is runing. the fith one i have just found the problem and is now runing fine with only minor things left to finish. the first clock that i built took close to 6 month to get it to run after it was built. resistance in the gears is normaly the cause of not runing. i have done final sanding of the teeth with 1500 grit sand papper and then polished the teeth with a dremal tool and then useing some parifin wax on the buffing wheel. the teeth shine like they have a finish on them but they don't.

Moose, I'd love to see photos!!! Best Regards, Bob Duncan Technical Editor

Hello : Im new to Scrolling, An I saw this clock , I have a couple of questions ,,, For the Frame an Supports ???? Was stock 3/4 wood used or were 3 thin 1/4 " strips glued up to make it 3/4 " thick ??? .... An the next question would Finnish Birch be ok to use ????? Thank You ,,,,,,,,,,,,,Jimmyjoe

Hi Jimmy, Finnish birch would be fine. And you can glue together three 1/4"-thick pieces or use 3/4"-thick stock...whichever you prefer. Best Regards, Bob Duncan Technical Editor