want to learn!!!

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:14 am     Post subject: want to learn!!!

Hi all,

At last I have found an active source of help on the web for mechanical clocks!!!!

My name is Mike, and I live in the Uk.

I am an electrical engineer. I have a basic mechanical understanding of things, but my field of course is electrical/electronics.

I have for some unknown reason, decided that I'd like to learn some basics about mechanical clocks.

I hope you guys can help????

I suppose I have a basic concept of how a mechanical clock operates. However, I'd really like to get hold of a few bits and pieces to sort of work things out!

I was hoping someone here might be able to shed a little bit of light on perhaps some sort of kit I could purchase in order to help me along?

I am an absolute beginner, but I do know that I am interested more so in spring loaded clocks rather than the weight driven ones.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Mike

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:12 pm     Post subject:

If you are interested in kits, I am sorry to say that we do not currently offer a kit that uses our spring driven mechanical movements (although we offer a couple of plans - #49611 and #49643). There might be something, however, offerd in the near future. As far as mechnical movement kits are concerned, we do offer a couople of pendulum driven movements (niether spring nor weight driven). You could check out the following kits: #35308, #35605, and #34930. Although weight driven, #34005 makes an interesting conversation piece.

If you are simply interested in learning about and tinkering around with the mechnical movement itself, then the kit option may not be what you are looking for. What you may wish to do is to look into Hermle movements on E-bay. Find a cheap movement to purchase so that you could disassemble or tinker with it. There are books out there (like the Hermle Service Manual - #99251) that can help with general repair and assembly of the movement itself. Of course, I would look into purchasing these types of books before getting a movement. It is always good to get a glimpse of what you are diving into... Just to make certain there is water in the pool...

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:00 pm     Post subject: clocks

Hi Chris,

Thank you for the reply.

I will get myself a book or two, and have a look at the kits you have.

It does not have to be a spring kit, anything fairly simple will do!!!!

If the kits you say are neither spring or weight driven, how exactly are they driven? Please forgive my ignorance.

I will be in touch

Thank you

Mike

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:45 pm     Post subject:

Just a couple of things:

1.) We refer to the clock works as the movement. The word "kit" would be the wood parts that you would assemble to mount the movement within (in other words, the clock case).

2.) Sorry about my mistake, but movements are only spring or weight driven. Kits 35308, 35605, and 34930 would be spring driven.

3.) Let me know if you are intesested in just the movements (rather than entire kits). I can list specific movement stock numbers if you are not interested in a wood kit.

Hope this helps to clear some confusion.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:51 am     Post subject:

I would check out the plastic clock kit at

http://www.clockplans.com/page13.htm

Also Ebay is a good source for clock movements, a weight driven one is probably better for starters, as you can take it apart without injuring yourself with the mainspring.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:29 am     Post subject: clock

hi all,

Thank you for the replies.

I have seen a mantle clock that might be good for me to 'have a look at', and open up.

It is a mantle clock with a HERMLE 340-020 mechanism which is apparently in good working order.

What I don't understand is this:

The clock does not appear to have a pendulum inside it. So how exactly does the slow release of energy get controlled?

In other words, it is not weight driven or pendulum driven, apparently it has a floating balance lever escapement.

Is this what will control the spring? If so, how exactly does it work?

I can understand the logic in weights and a pendulum, but I am unfamiliar with floating balance lever escapement

Forgive the questions, I am eager to learn!

Regards

Mike

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:42 pm     Post subject:

It's just like a watch movement, where a spring cause the lever to move back and forth. As it pertains to watches, but you get the idea.

http://www.timezone.com/library/horologium/horologium631673198118416858

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:27 pm     Post subject: i see

ahh I understand, thank you.

I have been browsing around the net, and there are no websites at all in the UK that offer complete kits (including the wood already cut to size).

As I am a beginner, I'd like everything to be relatively straight forward first time around. And then I can look at making a case etc...

Does anybody here know of any web sites in the UK that could help me out?

Kit 35308 looks good. Although what is included exactly?

Thank you

Mike

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:42 pm     Post subject:

#35308 will include all wood parts necessary for the wood case (pre-cut and factory sanded - ready for assembly), the hardware for assembly, the glass, the clock face, the movement (which will inlcude hands and hardware), glue, sandpaper, pilot drill bits, and instructions.

Items you would require to have (or purchase separately): Tools for assembly (such as an electric drill, screwdrivers, square, tape measure, etc), clamping, stain/finish of your choice, stain/finish applicators such as a paint brush, and possibly some additional sandpaper (if the need should be).

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:03 pm     Post subject:

That's a nice loking clock! I made one in the 1980's. Most people in the UK build their clock cases from scratch. They do have many suppliers of clock parts.

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:21 pm     Post subject: thanks

Thank you all for your very constructive replies.

Chris - You have a great website and clock kits.

I have just bought a fully working clock from ebay, which I am going to tinker with, and I will be in touch....

I have a shed fully kitted out with all my tools etc, so that side of things is not an issue. And anything I don't have I can 'borrow' from work.

One more thing guys, what is the difference between an open spring clock and a barrel spring clock?

I have an idea in my head, but I can't find any pictures of the two anywhere, in order to make a comparison!!!!

Cheers

Mike