hand length question

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:46 pm     Post subject: hand length question

I have a 2" thick piece of walnut cut off of a log, and the time ring diameter is going to be around 12" to 14" (I assume the time ring dia is the center of where the #'s are placed) any how what or how do you determine the Min, hr, and sec, hand length? I'm sitting here and looking around my house and the min. hand on the clocks I have vary some go out over the #'s some fall just short of the #'s. Which is right? Is there some formula?

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:26 pm     Post subject: Re: hand length

If you look at various dials you'll see that the minute ring can be either inside or outside of the numerals.
The usual rule of thumb is that the minute hand tip just pierces the minute markers if the minute ring is outside of the numerals. It should cover the numerals if the minute ring is inside.
When you order sets of hands order the length of minute hand that is required to suit your dial and the correct size hour hand will be supplied to make a suitable pair.
The tip of a sweep second hand should also reach the minute markers, although the second hand can be less. They are often in a contrasting color to the hour/minute hands.