Author Topic: Building a Wooden Clock  (Read 12440 times)

Offline raynerd

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Building a Wooden Clock
« on: May 24, 2014, 08:34:55 PM »
When I built my CNC machine last year I purchased DFX files from woodentimes online. I never looked at the files in detail, getting distracted as I often do and so before Christmas, I emailed David to ask if he would kindly resend the email, which he did. Over the last week I have been busy purchasing bearings, carbon fibre rod, beech chopping boards(!) and other odds and sods to build the clock. I also used v-carve to chop up the DFX files into pieces that my CNC machine could handle due to the limit bed size. I started cutting the plates over the last few days. Interestingly, I also laser cut a set of parts. I also wanted to compare my CNC cut wheels to accurately profiled laser cut wheels – basically due to my lack of confidence in my CNCing ability! Incidentally the CNC has turned out well.



It was all looking good!!


I initially used a mix of what I considered the best parts, but it was a bad move! 
You can see there is clearly a problem with the drive through the main train:



Finally the last few weeks I got around to sorting out a new front frame. David has been a fanatic help all e way through the build. I replaced the frame and also the intermediate wheel and it seems to be running ok now:



I'm going to get it into the living room tomorrow if it passes the over night test!! Other than possibly paint the hands white, I don't think I'm going to do so much with it. I also might use a polished steel weight rather than brass - I'm not very good with aesthetics but thing it looks quite fresh and modern all light wood - or unfinished :-/

Offline dsquire

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2014, 09:03:10 PM »
Hi Chris

Nice to see that your getting some shop time and makin bits n pieces. Give it a bit of time to run itself in and it should be a keeper.  :D :D

Cheers  :beer:

Don

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and your better best

Offline chipenter

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2014, 02:24:34 AM »
The first three clocks I made where of Beach all cut by hand , with Beach arbors using Graphite as a lubericant , looks good they have a totaly diferant sound wood against wood .
Jeff

Offline raynerd

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2014, 03:15:37 AM »
It's 8am and the clock has been running now over night! - hurray :-)

I remember countless nights of coming down to a stopped clock when I had the gearless clock build.

Happy days!

What do you guys think to a steel/ally - none brass weight and white hands?


Offline garym

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2014, 06:07:11 AM »
Very nice, Chris.  :clap:

I thought you'd been quiet for a while, obviously still busy though. The hands need to be more visible but not sure what would look best. How about alloy hands and weight?

Will it survive in the house with children ;-)

Gary
Workshop activity resumes now ankle improving :-)

Offline mattinker

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2014, 06:28:58 AM »
I agree with Harry, you can't see the hands, they need to be in contrast with the background. I would go for something dark, dark blue or black for the hands and how about blued steel for the weight, especially if the screws are blued.

Regards, Matthew

Offline raynerd

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2014, 09:38:04 AM »
Thanks guys,
Garym, I've been pretty quiet and not up to much for about 4 months, since Christmas really. Works been hard and I fall asleep now where as I use to play for a few hours in my workshop.

A blued weight would look awesome but I doubt I could blue something that big, certainly not evenly! Yes, dark would work for the hands. Worse case I can always re-paint or cut new ones if I'm not happy.

Chris

Offline Pete49

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2014, 01:33:06 AM »
dark hands for sure. How about a piece of copper pipe capped both ends and filled with shot or sand...easy to adjust the weight as well.
That's what I used for my wooden clock 'Genesis' by Clayton Boyer. Made out local hardwood. Now in bits as a couple teeth broke on the sprockets. Kids can be a pain at times, especially if not your own    :wack:
Pete
PS website is www.lisaboyer.com if interested
oops..........oh no.........blast now I need to redo it

Offline sbwhart

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2014, 02:49:06 AM »
Good work Chris
 :headbang:

Stew
A little bit of clearance never got in the road
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Location:- Crewe Cheshire

Offline raynerd

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2014, 07:11:49 AM »
Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies!

I didn't get your message in time. My wife wanted white hands, so I did white front side with black edges and back...looks quite nice I think.

In the living room.


Offline garym

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2014, 09:31:21 AM »
Looks great on the wall, Chris, if a little vulnerable. :bow:

How will it cope with inevitable dust?

Gary
Workshop activity resumes now ankle improving :-)

Offline raynerd

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2014, 10:55:07 AM »
Never mind the dust - when the weight drops to lowest point, it's only about an inch from my youngests' grasp!

Offline vtsteam

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2014, 10:34:05 PM »
Looks great Chris! :thumbup: :thumbup: :clap:
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline DaveH

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2014, 07:07:44 PM »
Very nice Chris  :thumbup: :clap:
 :beer:
DaveH
(Ex Leicester, Thurmaston, Ashby De La Zouch.)

Offline NormanV

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #14 on: May 28, 2014, 09:01:15 AM »
Could you not use a piece of lignum vitae for the pendulum weight? It would be in keeping with the wooden clock. You could go down to your local bowling club and pinch a bowl when no one is looking!

Offline Fergus OMore

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #15 on: May 28, 2014, 09:05:48 AM »
Lignum vitae now in bowls? No, not really.  :loco:

Offline NormanV

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #16 on: May 28, 2014, 10:01:26 AM »
That's what Micktoon used to make a wood carver's mallet he described in a recent post.

Offline vtsteam

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #17 on: May 28, 2014, 11:10:50 AM »
I don't know what they are made of, but a quick check of densities shows the heaviest woods topping out at 80 lbs per cubic foot, and brass up around 500. Sorry about the imperial units, but the ratio is the same for metric units.
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
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Offline Fergus OMore

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #18 on: May 28, 2014, 11:28:52 AM »
Bowls? Mine are Tyrolite but others- I believe - are Hensolite.
As for Lignum Vitae, it is fairly classic stuff. My first bits were from ships' stern tubes when ships were broken up on the Tyne. I bought some to make Northumbrian small pipes and then both African Blackwood and Brazilian Rosewood. As the blackwood is in fairly short supply( and expensive) for things like clarinets, I donated my remaining stocks to a Professor of Saxophone's husband who makes and repairs wind instruments.

As far as lignum is concerned, it can be worked with ordinary hss lathe tools and polished with the turnings which contain natural oils.

Maybe old lignum bowls which have cracked and go to car boot sales can be salvaged.
Blackwood is in such short supply that the turnings are mixed with resin- and re-used.

Not cheap!

Norman


Offline NormanV

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #19 on: May 28, 2014, 03:47:04 PM »
Norman, that's what I meant.
Norman

Offline krv3000

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #20 on: May 28, 2014, 05:11:00 PM »
well dun  :thumbup:

Offline raynerd

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #21 on: June 25, 2014, 05:47:50 PM »
The clock is great and still ticking well but annoying me with only just over 24 hour run time. I really need to fit an additional pully and loop. Any thoughts where it could go?


Offline chipenter

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Re: Building a Wooden Clock
« Reply #22 on: June 26, 2014, 03:31:18 AM »
Never mind a pully you are limeted by the lenth of cord that will go on the arber , a mark two improved disign is called for .
Jeff