Cuckoo clock Plan

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 1:35 pm     Post subject: Cuckoo clock Plan

Hi all. New to this site. I am looking for a basic, not fretwork, cuckoo clock plan to build my first Cuckoo clock. If anyone can point me to a plan or a book that has a plan I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 3:31 pm     Post subject:

Klockit offers a battery-operated (Quartz) cuckoo movement (search #12227). This movement includes a free plan for a cuckoo clock case. The plan is nice in that you can make some alterations to profiles (etc) to change the look of the clock (and put your own spin on the design). The design is pretty basic, and is not a fretwork design. Hope this helps...

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:26 pm     Post subject: Plan

Chris,
Thanks for the info but I am looking for a traditional mechanical movement and look. I am still researching a plan and have ordered two books from frankenmuth about cuckoo clocks. I am hoping this helps. I have a one day clock I will be working off but am still hoping to locate some further instructions on how to do this. One question I have for you is what type of wood are cuckoo clocks usually made of? Thank you for your help. Greg Muller

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 3:21 am     Post subject:

probably made from plywood, or relatively inexpensive wood, as they were most always painted brown. they were also very inexpensive.

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:32 pm     Post subject:

Mechanical cuckoos made these days are predominantly plywood and plywood veneer type woods for case construction (just as amrad suggests). Baltic birch is also pretty common. It is also not uncommon to see MDF used as well.

I am taking an educated guess that carved wood pieces are usually made from basswood (or a similar wood better suited for carving), although I have also seen carved parts made out of (what I believe is) some type of rigid foam that can be carved and finished/painted. "Economy" cuckoo cases (usually housing quartz movements) are even fabricated out of molded plastic.

All that being said, I suppose that you could use virtually any wood that you wanted to. I am not aware of any advantages of using a certain particular species or type of wood over another.

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:04 am     Post subject:

If you are going to make a proper wood cuckoo then some of the old makers used Black Forest spruce (Genus Picea). A light, strong wood used as a baseboard for musical instruments too which makes the gong sound better.
Fir and Beech was also used.

Take your pictures and produce one from them as no plans are available to my knowledge on how to make a mechanical one, i may be wrong.
They were all carved by hand so go with your instincts and make an original that will appreciate in value and you pass on to your family.