Beginners first simple clock kit / plans

Edited By russell eberhardt on 23/01/2012 10:23:03

Edited By russell eberhardt on 23/01/2012 10:23:28

I would agree that the Alan Timmins longcase clock is a fantastic first clock to build. I did exactly that and every day I am pleased that I did! Recently I have started on John Wilding's English Dial Clock, and although I can follow the instructions, I have found them disappointing compared to the detail in Timmins book. Measurements are missed off diagrams, proper views are often not given, and the whole book lacks the detail which I came to expect having made my longcase clock. Also in Wildings book, there is little info on making your own cutters etc, which saves a small fortune if you are working to a budget!

In short, I am extremely glad that I started with Alan Timmins book (which taught me many useful skills) and then moved on to John Wilding.

Hi Chris,

Probably the simplest clock for a beginner is a "Foliot-clock".

See also this topic: **LINK**

Up to now, it was the first and only clock I made.
See also: **LINK**

Hi Chris,

If you just want to investigate the principles involved there is always the Meccano clocks which many build such as thiis foliot and verge.

As a clock isn't a model and most are not steam driven perhaps we could have a set of plans and a write-up in MEW?

Be a useful bit of workshop kit!

 Espically if in meccano...

Edited By jason udall on 22/11/2012 10:31:26

Hi Jason

John Wilding (horological writer, designer, clockmaker) himself built Meccano clocks, including a Congreve ball clock.

Regards

Terry

Why do all clock articles assume so much prior knowledge. I'd love to see a short series that actually went through 'clock theory' explaining things like how the gears work. It seems to me that you use and almost 'random' choice of cutter and rely on depthing to make poorly matched gears work with each other. Can any clock buff put their head above the parapet and explain for a bear of very little brain?

Joey

Terry .. not knocking it lived the L bracket (verge?) teeth on the above video..maybe will serve to allay my fears that I could never "make anything that good " if a clock can be build from "bought in" transmission gears....

Never ashamed to modifiy existing stuff I once remade some quartz clocks

1) loose 10 minutes on first 1/2 hr regain in second .. correct to the hour but minutes can drag or fly ..( ment to do that it was ment as a Visual Joke)

2) tide clock .. yes I know simple but hijaking the bought in clock for all dividing chain makes it quick

3) another joke clock accurate to the day but sometimes runs backwards ( don't the afternoons drag?)..

But realy these were just electronics projects for an artist friend .

Ah well, I will build one one day..

Neil

I have sent you a PM

Norman