newbie-wood gear clock plans

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:10 am     Post subject: newbie-wood gear clock plans

Hi,
Just joined this group and want to make a wood gear clock. Spent a couple hours reading and looking at what is available. I want to make a clock that will run for more than a few days, preferably 8 days. Like most projects, I would like to start out relatively easy and work my way to more complex projects, but I do have 2 homemade CNC machines to cut parts. I gather that the grasshopper escapement is more "efficient" than most other mechanisms, is this a large factor in how long a clock will run? I did find one, but the details are slim, anybody know of kits that match these requirements?
I also want to use solid, laminated wood instead of plywood. I am leaning toward mostly pistachio and olive, both are fairly dense, hard and closed grained. Has anyone used fiberglass or carbon fiber to increase the strength of a laminate to keep the weight/thickness down? This would be say between the first and second and between the fourth and fifth layers in a 5 layer laminate so it would not be on the outer surface. I also have a few chunks of lignum vitae (10-15 pounds each!) I would like to use for some of the parts. I read a few comments that it might attract dust and not maintain a low coefficient of static or dynamic friction. This stuff is real easy to machine even though it is hard and has an unbelievable finish/feel when buffed even without any oil or varnish.
thanks in advance,
jaime

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:22 am     Post subject:

You should check out this forum, just wooden gear clocks! They can help you with all your questions. Go to the main website, and click on the clocks to see some cool clocks.

http://www.bealltool.com/clockforum/

other sites
http://clockplans.com/page4.html

clock I wish I could make, or buy, 1/2" thick wood gears
http://www.patriotmill.com/Jesse%20Emory%20Replica%20Tall%20Clock.htm

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:32 am     Post subject:

thanks for the reply. Can't seem to get any responses on the other forum you mentioned. Didn't run across the patriot mill link you sent, nice clock. Interesting info about using solid, quarter sawn wood instead of laminated wood, but not sure I will go that way. I will give a test shot to a thick gear. I knocked off a quick 1/4 inch thick one about 3" in diameter last weekend out of madrone (a closed grain wood common where I live). I will use my smaller CNC and cut it using x, theta and z instead of my bigger xyz CNC. I would need a 1/16 inch bit that could cut 1/2 or more deep with the xyz, this is tricky. My small CNC will be cutting radially into the gear which I would hold on a mandrel (like when you make a pen). I will only need to go as deep as the depth of the tooth on the gear (I read up on gears but can't remember the term used for this value. Been out of school too long, no more short term memory!). No real limit on how thick the gear could be (although I don't think you need a 1" thick, 4 inch gear, but it might look nice! Still searching for that 8 day clock plan or any info about the houtman designs plans.
thanks,
jaime

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:56 am     Post subject:

if you email jr beall directly, he will help you. I wanted some instructions he was teaching a class on, and he sent it to me.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:09 pm     Post subject: H. Houtman designs

Has anybody tried the Houtman 8 day clock design? Are there any other 8 day clock plans around? The 30 hour clock plans are good but I would like an 8 day (or more!) plan. Any comments will be appreciated. Icarus

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:59 am     Post subject:

I believe his is the only one.

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:55 am     Post subject: That is one cool projection clock!

This clock projects the time, date, or temp on the wall or ceiling http://www.liangdianup.com/clocks_1.htm some people call
it a ceiling clock but I call it a digital projection clock. I got the black one because at the time that was the only color
they had. But now they have them in black and also in white.

Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 11:45 am     Post subject:

A few thoughts on the original questions:
One issue to consider with an 8-day wooden gear clock is the weight required to run it. The Houtman clock requires 24 lbs. We did a prototype that required about 15 lbs. We didn't proceed with production of that clock because we weren't comfortable with having that much weight hanging off a wooden wall clock.

In terms of escapements, accuracy or efficiency are probably not your first concerns (there are other factors that will affect the accuracy of your wooden gear clock--it is a novelty, not a regulator). Today, I believe the grasshopper escapement is used primarily for its uniqueness and visual appeal. It is, however, more complicated to construct than a simple anchor or Graham type escapement.

Jeff Schierenbeck
www.wooden-gear-clocks.com

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:10 pm     Post subject: clock plans

Visit [url]www,woodenclockparts.com[/url] for free downloads on wooden gear clocks.
Grasshopper escapements are not hard to build and run.
Solid wood gears have been made for many, many years and some of them are still running. Plywood is use today because it is a better product and is much more stable. A little movement with the grain of a wheel can stop a clock.
regards
Joe