General clock making request

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:37 am     Post subject: General clock making request

I am preparing to make several heirloom type clocks for my children as well as some friends. I have requested information from several mechanical movement suppliers for basic information regarding the the installation of the movements they might sell or for recommendations on any books or reference material that I might read before I actually select the movements and begin the clock design and case building process. I have been sorely disappointed to keep hearing back that they have no information to supply me with or good advise as to where to get it. There was a time that I thought the building process would be the most difficult part, but now believe just getting the info will be harder

Can someone please offer some help to get me started in the right direction. At one time I was hoping to do this as Christmas gifts but now I am planning for birthdays

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:18 am     Post subject:

The first step is to decide the type of clock you want to build, size, etc.. Then pick out a movement that will fit. Not many mechanical clock movement manufacturers left, Hermle being really the only one. You may also want to consider quartz movements, as many people today can not be bothered with the maintenance of a mechanical clock, i.e. winding and oiling, and cleaning every 3yrs.

I've built several clocks, and one thing I would stress is start with a good set of plans, and know how the movement mounts in the case, i.e. to the dial board, back of the case, etc.. Also plan for the length of the handshaft, as it could be too long and cause the dial door not to close.

I am sure if you contact the klockit people they will help you out.

Here are a couple resources.

http://www.clockworks.com/instructions/mvt.html

http://www.klockit.com/products/dept-142__sku-Helpful%20hint%20-%20choosing%20a%20mechanical%20movement.html

books:

http://www.amazon.com/Clockmaking-18-Antique-Designs-Woodworker/dp/081172526X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293843871&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Making-Wooden-Clocks/dp/1565232089/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293843871&sr=8-1

Clock movements:
http://www.clockworks.com/

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:08 am     Post subject:

Thanks for the response. I should have been more specific.

I am planning to make wall clocks. I wasn't planning to use a set of plans. I am planning to design the case myself. I am planning to use key wound spring driven works with Westminster chimes. I had originally wanted to source Magdelin chimes, but I gave up on that idea 4 months ago. I couldn't find a supplier that had heard of them.

The two books you mentioned are good reference material to gain some clock background info, and I have both of them.

What I am really trying to find is some instructions that details the actual installation process of the mechanical movements so that I can work backwards to design the case around the various types of movements and the way they mount in the case. I could be wrong but I thought that knowing how the movement mounts to a case would help me in the design process to make it easier.

I have made a lot of furniture but never any clocks and since everyone always says to start with the works and build around it that is what i am trying to do.

Any more help would certainly be appreciated.

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:08 am     Post subject:

The movement below would be good for a small wall clock. If you notice Klockit has the mounting details (2nd link) which is what you are looking for.

http://www.klockit.com/products/dept-9__sku-13025.html
http://www.klockit.com/files/pdfs/Movements/13025.pdf

If you need a longer pendulum, it does come in a 45cm version from another supplier, or maybe klockit will special order it for you.
http://www.clockworks.com/hermle/340.html

Hope this helps!

Andrew

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:42 pm     Post subject:

Amrad is correct - movement installation may differ depending on the movement selected. Klockit carries a couple of mechanical wall clock movements, however mounting applications vary (from mounting directly to the backside of the dial board or mounting directly to the case back - - the two most common options for mechanical wall clock movements). Once you have a movement or two in mind, feel free to contact Klockit (you can even ask for me - Chris). From there, we can work to supply you with specific information regarding movement mounting which would help to finalize your movement selection decision.