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Starter Clock Project

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John Somers 124/11/2009 21:42:45
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36 forum posts
Having produced a range of stationary steam engines over the last three years I have of late been wondering if I have the ability to produce a clock. I did at one stage restore antique wall and longcase clocks so I do have some familiarity of their workings. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a suitable starter project, plans, kits, reading material, etc ?
 
John S
Niloch25/11/2009 00:22:31
371 forum posts
I'm just at the very, very early stages of my first horology project, first model engineering project come to that.  I couldn't possibly presume to recommend it to you because I don't know what the outcome is going to be like.  But, I've chosen the Large Wheel Skeleton Clock as designed by John Wilding. See:  http://www.ritetimepublishing.com

Edited By Niloch on 25/11/2009 00:24:24

John Somers 125/11/2009 06:58:32
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36 forum posts
Thank you 'Niloch', your reply was exactly what I was hoping for. There is clearly a great deal of food for thought on the ritetime site and I shall be giving it a good looking at over the next few days. Meanwhile I wish you every success with your Large Wheel Skeleton Clock. I must say it does look extremely elegant. I would be very interested in the thought process leading you to your choice and the machines and tooling you feel necessary. Best wishes.
 
John S
Niloch25/11/2009 09:28:19
371 forum posts
Hello John,
2008 was a fairly good year in ME as far as clockmaking is concerned.  John Parslow commenced his serial on a beginners 15 day skeleton timepiece in issue 4322-April'08 and in October '08, issue 4336 John Wilding commenced his project on re-housing a Toulet Imperator.
 
I've since seen laser cut frames by www.modelengineerslaser.co.uk for the Parslow clock and, of course, you will know that www.iantcobb.co.uk is a good site to peruse and www.j-m-w.co.uk is equally worthwhile.
 
I think you've already mentioned one of the reasons why I chose the 'large wheel skeleton', I find it very aesthetically pleasing or, in your words, elegant.  
 
I didn't want a clock which required six months worth of work on polishing the frames alone. (I hope I'm exaggerating a great deal!).  My workshop looks extremely bare compared to some of our model engineering colleagues who are more incline towards steam propulsion and I've been amassing tools for twenty years or more.  I'm not the kind of modeller who is prepared to build tools to build tools to make an item so besides the 50 year old Super 7, I have a genuine Myford dividing head and several of the beautifully made products by JMW and, so far, just a couple of the hyper expensive Thornton cutters.  Try also to procure a copy of JMW's book, it is a mine of information. I'm sure your workshop will have every conceivable requirement.  To save setting-up time I would like a separate wheel cutting engine but it is low on my list of priorities.
 
Years ago I bought the two bound volumes of The Clockmaker from teepublishing.co.uk      which make interesting reading, in fact, there is a design for a wheel cutting engine but it doesn't seem 'beefy' enough to me.
 
One of the problems is that 95% of the time one is working in isolation because horology is far less popular than the other forms of model engineering, however, I'm pleased to say a neighbour is developing an interest .

Edited By Niloch on 25/11/2009 09:40:08

Edited By Niloch on 25/11/2009 09:41:33

Circlip25/11/2009 11:49:00
1723 forum posts
Two "freebies" on the front page. Eureka and the "Jubilee" clock.
 
   Frugally Ian.
Niloch25/11/2009 14:27:51
371 forum posts
Thank you Ian.  I was a little confused for a moment, others may not be, whatever, may we read home page for front page?

Edited By Niloch on 25/11/2009 14:28:46

Circlip25/11/2009 14:57:54
1723 forum posts
Yep, sorry Niloch, although when I said freebies, this is ASSUMING you've been bullied into taking a subscription for the continuation of ONE of them
 
  Regards  Ian.
Niloch25/11/2009 15:07:55
371 forum posts
Such lack of confidence Ian, it doesn't become you!  I subscribe to both ME and MEW.  Any more insinuations like that and I'll be sending the boys round!! (Moderator: just a little amusement on my part!!).  'Am trying to get hold of as many MEW back issues as I can from issue 150 to 1 (or even 0), an Ebay vendor recently had a starting price of £300; no bids during a ten(?) day auction; I'm not surprised. Sorry, I'm going off thread.
Phil Ashman25/11/2009 15:11:54
33 forum posts
John,
As a break from building a loco, and as a first clock, I made John Wildings 3/4 second Hipp pendulum clock. It was a straightforward job, and didn't take forever to make.
You only need one gear cutter, and the scrap box will provide much of the material.
 
It's quite a decorative clock if you take the trouble to make a decent case for it, and timekeeping isn't too bad either, a minute or two a week is achievable.
David Clark 125/11/2009 15:19:29
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3357 forum posts
112 photos
10 articles
Hi There
Launch of Model Engineers Workshop as digital back issues is imminent.
They will be from issue 1 to 2007 with a probable yearly subscription of £29 for access.
Watch this space.
regards David
 
Circlip25/11/2009 17:10:46
1723 forum posts
Sorry Niloch, don't send the boys round cos the words Blood and Stone spring to mind. The pension don't cover Either subscriptions anymore (Had BOTH when working) but I did collect issues 1-58 of MEW as a subscriber.

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