Hello all

Another new member (based in the West Midlands) clocking in and looking for advice.

As background many years ago I served a mechanical engineering apprenticeship so had training on machine tools but have not had any further experience using machines so much relearning to do.

Having now retired I am hoping to set up a small workshop. A year or two ago I designed and built a CNC routing machine on which I cut all the parts for a wooden clock which runs well.

This has given me the urge to make a ‘proper’ clock. I could do with some advice on which machines to get. I have been considering the Seig SC4 lathe and the SX2 mill. Would these be suitable for clock making?

And any advice on a suitable clock design to start off on?

Thanks

George

Welcome George. I cant help you with your machine question but undoubtedly others can and will. Im relatively new here myself and this is a great community, plenty of people willing to help

Welcome George,

The answer depends entirely on your expectations. Watch and clock makers can expect/demand levels of accuracy from machines that are more dependant on the skill of the operator then the quality of the machine. This means amazing watches and clocks have been made on very basic machines, but also that perfectly good hobby machines have been condemned as they can't work to a tenth of a thou.

I know at least one seller of these machines WON'T state they are suitable for such work, but also that many people DO make clocks (if not watches) using them.

Sorry not to give you a straight answer!

Neil

Clock dudes are the skilled guys, making amazing things out of limited equipment

Harrison was doing his stuff in the 1750s

Clock guys aren't "better" than other engineers, they are simply more capable at specific tasks for precision purposes, and their skills can be legendary

A year or two ago I designed and built a CNC routing machine on which I cut all the parts for a wooden clock which runs well.

Pretty much any decent machinery set will fulfill your requirements IMO, there will be websites out there with like mined folk as yourself who will be doing the things you require, the biggest query I would think would be the scale you are working to

I cant give advice as I am a beginner but have a look a Clip Spring on You Tube, hes a clock maker and has videos on workshop tooling.

Why not see if you can pick up some of the books on making clocks, or articles from ME for that matter, and see what sort of equipment was used. John Wilding for instance has described a number of clocks, but there are others. If you find that something interesting was described in ME some years back, make a query here, someone is sure to have the back issues.

John

Many thanks for all the replies.

I have been browsing through the John Wilding designs and am wondering if his castle clock may be the one to try.

I have watched the click spring videos and there is a wealth of information there but the clock he built is a step to far at the moment.

Thanks again

George

Hi George, welcome to another 'Clanky, also named George, I have a Warco 250V-F & a WM16 mill which are fine for what I potter about with so can't really suggest what would be the best for your needs. As mentioned there are many members who dabble in horology that would offer more advice.

George.