Number six clock build log

[malc]

Plans have arrived, just under two weeks from hawaii to UK. Excellent service. Clayton said allow 4-6 weeks. Plans run to eighteen pages plus eight pages of instructions. Will be spending the next few nights reading and rereading them! Will order the ply need later today. I will be posting my progress as I go along. I will also be keeping a detailed record of my progress plus hours spent which may be of help to any others mad enough to attempt one of these!

malc

[Clayton717]

congrats, I look forward to seeing your progress. I have been wanting to try one, maybe this will help push me to it.

[malc]

First wheel cut, the escapement wheel about eight inches diameter cut to within 1/64 inch.

Malc

[Vector01]

That's going to be interesting. I always wondered how complex those were to put together.

[malc]

I have cut the escape wheel pinion and the third wheel. Now comes the long work of getting the two to run together, it will involve slowly rotating the pair and removing any imperfections from their teeth then sanding each tooth with 400grit sandpaper and finally polishing each tooth, probably about four hours work.

Malc

[amazingkevin]

I'm starting to like this clock idea.They are a real work of art.Deffinetly a converstion piece for years to come.This precision cutting sounds interesting.What blade are you useing to get within 1/64th's tolerance's.This will be the the talk of the club to see a works in progress that your involved in.What inspired you to take on a critical operation as this.I can't wait to see what's next to the going's on of you clock!I have faith in you from what i see,beautyful cutting!

[malc]

Most of the external cutting is done with a 14 tpi band saw blade, internal on my scrollsaw using a No.5 Olson blade. The 'roundness' is assured by rotating the wheel against a vertical sander. he final adjustments are done using good old 600 grit sandpaper and a vernier calliper. The inspiration came from the fact as an ex marine engineer I am fascinated with anything which rotates with precision. Plus a degree of masochistic insanity!

[malc]

Some more bits! Escapement wheel stained, center wheel, third wheel, several pinions, wind click mechanism, pendulum rod and centre of pendulum bob, pendulum crutch. Still lot to do, then a lot of sanding and polishing.

Malc

[toolbeltman]

Looking good Malc...keep up the good work...

[Barry5180]

Thanks for sharing the project with us Malc. I've been wanting to do one of these ever since I saw the videos on youtube. I'll be curious as to the total time involved to complete as well as your overall thoughts on the project. A very close friend of mine loves clocks and something like one of these would make a great gift.

 

Barry

[malc]

Barry, most of the main parts now cut, about twenty hours so far. Now the real work starts. I am cutting a new frame for it as the pine one I cut seems too weak along the grain. I will cut the two piece frame in 18mm MDF to see how it works, if this is ok I will cut one in oak. First I need to get each gear and it's pinion to run in balance and with its partner. This will involve smoe careful sanding anf polishing. I am a long way from finishing. Will keep you informed

Malc

[malc]

Its coming on! All the gears now run with each other, some still need staining and the teeth polishing but we are getting there!!

Malc

[amazingkevin]

malcolm,you won't believe this but when i looked at that allmost finished project of yours i got a cold shiver from the waist up in astonishment,my body actually shook! Buddy you did your homework on this baby! I'd even more love to see it in person! You are doing an absolute fine job on your chosen project. Your instilling the thought of trying one in us all seeing your acommplishments in so little time.GREAT job!

[malc]

Hope this works, never uploaded a video before. This is the drive train working, next I will move onto the clock train, then start adjusting the pendulum

Malc

[amazingkevin]

malcolm, That was pure poetry in motion.Stand up and take a bow ,you deserve it.Can you believe this!! You did it my man ! congradulations!HIP HIP HURRAY!

[Marshall]

WoW Malc this is great to see the work in process for sure ..a lot of work done here ......

[toolbeltman]

Nicely done Malcolm.. ..good to see this w.i.p all come together...thanks for sharing.

[Lastchance]

Very Nice! What nice detail. Great job so far!

 

 

PS> I hope you are keeping track of how much time this is taken you for referance.

[Vector01]

Very intricate piece Great to see it in action. That will be a show piece for sure

[bobman58]

great job malc

[malc]

Coming along, nearly finished now, about a week of testing then it can be moved to it's final position. I think 'er indoors will be pleased to have my building jig out of the dining room! Time keeping is about two minutes a day at the moment but I know I can get it much better that that. I will post pictures of her when she is in situ on the wall. Note it is changing to a her as I become more endeared with her.

Malc

[grampa]

WoW Malc, She looks great, how long has it took you from start to finish and would you do another one.......Paul

[Eagledrum70]

Awesome job so far Malc can't wait to see completed project. Eagledrum70

[mikesscrollsaw]

That is a great looking clock! I did one about a year ago, but it doens't work, it's just a neat looking dust collector. I think one of my gears is out of round a little cause it runs for about 20 seconds and stops, I can push past that spot and it does it again.

[malc]

WoW Malc, She looks great, how long has it took you from start to finish and would you do another one.......Paul

I don't know about 100 hours I think, and yes I already have the plans for a second one, it uses the complicated 'Grasshopper' escapement invented by John Harrison the clock maker that won the Londitude prize in the eighteenth century. It is called Tertius and you can see it here

http://www.woodentimes.com/

Malc