JTTHECLOCKMAN

Anyone for a cool game of billiards. Now the contests are over I would like to show off my 2017 Pen Box entry. This too happened to take first place. I had this idea in my head for over a year but was just not able to make it till I was able to return to my shop. I have to say I am sort of strutting my feathers on this one because it came out almost as nice as I envisioned it. I will say I had to make many jigs to pull this off because every detail needed a cut that is not normal. Doing all the compound angle cuts was challenging. Drilling the holes for the pockets needed a jig as well as cutting the rails and trim work. The rails and pockets are joined with mortise and tenon joints because end grain is not a very strong glue joint. I did have an oops when I tried flocking the table and rails. The paint/glue I used was too thick and the fibers did not stick well. I had another can of the stuff so I was able to sand back the old and add the new and it came out well. Was able to get it done in time too. Thanks for looking and any questions or comments are always welcomed. Hopefully I can get the pen I have designed for the box done, very soon. I have included a photo of a full size billiard ball which I make clocks out of, for size reference. My replica pool table box is made from Birdseye Maple and Gabon Ebony. It's measurements are 4-1/2" X 9" which is a scaled down version of a professional table. It was dipped in BLO and then top coated with 6 coats of satin lacquer. The table top has green flocking on the table as well as the bumpers. The cues were turned from maple blanks and are also satin lacquered. The butt grips are wrapped with carbon fiber. The billiard balls are miniature replicas. The rail sites are round black Swarovski crystals. All the materials used were cut and angled using various jigs. The table is an easy lift off to access the pen box compartment which has a green plush felt cushion for any size pen. The lid has guide blocks to properly seat it easily on the box. This is a neat little box which will enhance that special pen for that special billiard fan.

I have been asked a few times and mainly politely turned them down. Not much of a teacher. But have to say I have shown a few people my techniques and have made corrections or helpful hints to some new scrollers. I like to think I have helped moreso on sites like this. There are so many videos out there today that it is a different world we live in than when I first started. Easy to just click and watch at your own convenience. Never gave the insurance thing a thought. It is like when you have people over to install things and work on your house. There is always that fear even though they are suppose to carry insurance. It is the sue happy world we live in.

That came out real well and no plans that makes it even better. Take a photo when all complete. I am sure it will be well used. thanks for showing.

Heck if i had to put all the items I made in over 30 years of doing this I would need a server just for myself. The last time I checked my inventory sheet there is over 800 different items I made over the years and sold. Not counting things I never sold but gave away. I never did get into the photographing my work till about when I joined sites like this. I put a few items in a gallery in case someone wants to look me up when I am dead and gone to scrolling heaven. I am sort of proud of the pen stand I recently made and soon I will be posting a one of a kind pen box that has never before been done that I am really proud of. I am posting these on every site I belong to. So if you belong to other sites I am on be prepared to see them there too.

No the poker chips and the smaller dice are real. I made the large dice with the clock in it and of course the cards. I did scroll the half round section in the chips to hold the pen. also sanded the chips so that the main chips stands that way and I could glue it using more surface.

OK I will have to figure that out. Thanks.

This is possible. It has been quite awhile since I was here and tried adding anything to my album.

That is a nice piece. the cuttings look spot on. You should be proud of that one. Thanks for showing.

I looked again and no upload button. Have title button,file name button,date button,and position button. Someone stole my upload button. I want it back. Thanks.

OK it has been awhile since I posted anything in the bragging page and also wanted to add to my album. First the bragging page, seems I must have hit enter twice so I need someone to delete the one that does not have the pictures in. Second thing is how do I add photos to my album. I do not see an upload button when I click on my album. Thanks.

This is a pen stand/clock that I entered into a contest on the IAP penturning site this past week. They run a fund raising party during the month of Feb every year and with this there are many different themed contests. I was able to get back in my shop after 3 years of being away due to illness and family matters. It feels good to get back. Anyway this was a project I worked on and entered into the Pen Stand Contest. This was my 2017 Pen Stand Contest entry. It did take first place. Pen Stand/Clock is of a gambling theme. The materials are maple, walnut, rosewood poker chips, 2" clock insert and dice. The playing cards were cut out on a scrollsaw and done in maple. The background of the symbols was painted flat black. the large dice is walnut. The base is rosewood with a bevel detail and covered with a dark green velvet. The wood parts were top coated in a satin lacquer. The poker chips are stacked and shaped to hold a single pen of any size. The holder chips are flocked in green where the pen lays to protect it from scratching. Thanks for looking.

Routers and sanders. I lost count on how many I have now. Do not really want to know. When I am in the ground I will let others sort them out.

That is where I got many of my themed clock inserts from and back then they were using the Takane motors because that is what I have in mine. As I mentioned they use to make many of my themed inserts and use to carry many more than they have now. Good to see they have the military ones still. Use many of those. I believe those were his designs. He had a graphics designer working for them. I hope you get things worked out. You could ask them if they can make the inserts the way you would like and not have to swap things out.

Kevin I do not believe it is a case of greed at all. I believe it comes down to who is supplying those inserts. I say this 1000 times more. There was a change in the clock insert business. The people that use to make those clocks do not make them any more. Ask Wildwood Designs. They carried that line of clock inserts and now they are made by a different company. I know this how??? I ordered clocks from Wildwood or Cherry Tree whatever you want to call them and their clocks are not the same. They do have some older stock but I will not buy from them ever again. Had my run in with them. One company will supply all these other vendors. They are at their mercy because they can not order from China because of the number you need and they need so many different varieties and can not sell that many. I just looked at the inserts I have and plain as day it is marked Takane as the company of the motor and made in the USA right on the motor and also on the housing. That is the name you are looking for. They were the company making all these. I say were. Not sure who is making them now. Just remembered one other very good source I bought inserts from and also many other things is National Artcraft www.nationalartcraft.com/categoryB.asp?gid=2&cid=43 If you noticed the name on that motor I showed is from the first link I gave you and it is a Time One insert made in China. Maybe they were the suppliers for awhile. Now who knows. I have been away too long to keep tract.

I am going to wake some old timers memories with this one. It is still made and is still a good option for those that want that portable dust collector. This was used by so many years ago when it first came out. https://images.samsclubresources.com/is/image/samsclub/0002628210300_A?wid=1500&hei=1500&qlt=80&op_sharpen=1

I am sorry I am out of options for you. As I said it has been awhile since the last time I ordered clock inserts especially that size. Here is the link to the clock inserts they sell. Only one type so there is no picking from them but quality is top notch. www.theisenclock.com/large_clock_fitups.html www.theisenclock.com/clock_parts.html I really and truely do not know what to tell you. I linked a page on Steebar site. I use to do work for them. Many of the patterns they sell are mine and my clocks I made are the ones shown. My example is on the 3-1/2" insert page. All those clocks shown there are the same company and everyone of them I have used. The 12 clocks in pattern form all use those inserts. When I made those clocks they sat on my desk for 2 weeks before I sent them to the owner. All worked perfectly and kept time. Again after that I have no way of knowing. I still have many of the inserts today because I bought in bulk. Now did they too change distibutors I have no way of knowing. This company changed hands when the original owner died and now this company has a very bad rep. I would not order from them. But I am just giving you examples. I do not think you will find a company that sells that large of Seiko inserts unless you buy direct from them. That is a china company. www.steebar.com/90-mm-inserts-clocks-3-1-2-inch/ Do you have this motor in your inserts you bought from that company??? Do you know what this is??? This is the same exact motor you would buy if you were building the clock from scratch parts like I think you mentioned at one time. They use this motor in their larger inserts too. It fits in the case when you get to that size. Just wanted to point this out if you are thinking of going that way. Buying a bezel and all will cost more for sure but the motor is the same. Good luck because this is all I can add.

Warning you milage may vary. May need to try for your self is my opinion

No need to sand saw marks. Good quality thin blade on a good quality bandsaw. If your saw is set up correctly you can saw paper thin slivers and ready for glue ups. Nice work. He has an artistic eye for sure.

OK I am going to ask again then why. If you turned the blade sideways you still can not turn the piece. Unless I am missing something in your quest. If you want to cut long strips buy a bandsaw. OK we found one for you. It is the Dremel 18" 1800-01 you can rotate the clamps for infinite cutting lengths. Just what you asked for. www.buybesttools.com/tools4/B0002HC23Y.html

If they do not say in big bold letters made in the USA they are not. (Also Japanese better than Chinese. I mention this because be careful with motors also) You want some real good quality buy from here. I use their inserts and never had a problem. But you will pay. www.theisenclock.com/index.html Here is the third site I tried to get up before. I bought lots of inserts from these people and again never had a problem. They are based in Canada though. They use to make me custom inserts. Have not dealt with them in over 3 years as I mentioned. They stopped carrying many of the inserts I was buying from them so it was not lucrative any more. But it is an option. It is all I can tell you and that maker is not the one I knew. Again this is a few years ago and I am out of the loop for that long now. www.clockparts.ca/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=384 One more thought for you. If you want a great insert Seiko inserts are some of the finest. I bought many through Alibaba.com. Takes quite awhile to get but you need to order in bulk. I know I may sound like I am all over the place but I am giving you all the places I had success from. Never bought from the place you mentioned and never will now.

Did you ever try to bend the blade 90 degrees. It does work. If you want to cut long strips just bend it a very little bit so it gets by the back supports. You still would not be able to spin it so what is the sense. Lets discuss.

Hello Kevin First off let me start by saying I have been in the craft business for over 30 years and have sold tons of clocks because that is my prime theme of my projects. Every clock I sell I always tell the customer the clock insert is guarenteed for life any problems contact me or send it back and i will replace for free. In those 30 years do you know how many I have had returned. ZERO that is right ZERO. Now maybe something went wrong with the clocks but there is no way I would know about it if they did not contact me. Maybe they lost my card. Everyone gets a business card and that included when I sold on consignment. They were always included. That is the first thing. Next is the company you bought from is a distributer of many things and they buy in bulk. They are not a clock company. You mentioned that you spoke to other companies. Can you list what companies you spoke to and then you say you spoke to the maker of the inserts. That one I would truely love to hear about. Who was this person and do you have the phone number. Next is you asked or mention about the 3 standards of clocks. Nowhere did I say they use different motors. The quality is in the parts used. Use the economy inserts and watch how many plastic parts come back broken along with the motors. Huge difference. That is why most clock companys will not even sell economy inserts. Now I have been away from the craft industry for the past 3 years due to illness and family situations. I have not bought clock inserts until just recently and if you check my past posts I mentioned there has been a huge shake up in this area. I can not get clock inserts that I use to be able to get many years ago. Next point. Where are the inserts you bought being made??? It should say right on the back. At one time and I still have a ton of them they were all made in Germany. Great clocks never a problem and used a "N" cell battery. Then they started making them in the USA and most that you see being sold by the reputable dealers are USA made. Now I know who use to make them and that is why I want to compare what you said. These are all triple "A" batteries now. Now there are the china made inserts and say right on there. They are economy inserts. Here is 3 companies I have dealt with and can say carry good quality and I never had any problems. I have bought many other inserts but they are much more expensive. www.clockworks.com/clock-movement/clock-inserts.html www.sloanswoodshop.com/clock%20inserts.htm The third one I will not post because it is showing it is an unsecure sight. I do not know why. Anyway to sum this up I believe you either got a bad batch of inserts or they are not good quality and made in China. I try to keep to a certain style of insert so that I usually can pick out if I made the clock or not. I had a person try to return a clock to me saying I sold it to her and the clock stopped. I clearly knew it was not my clock but I replaced the insert for her for free anyway. Good luck with this.

And you would want to do this WHY?????

www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/21804-clock-inserts/?hl=%2Bclock+%2Binserts

Does not exist. Anything larger than the 1/8" roundover bit for a dremel will snap. It can not handle the sideward pressure. Go to a small palm router such as the colt. great router. Plus you may want to use other profiles for a base or a box and things. Much more bits to choose from and a whole lot safer. Lets be smart out there.