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17K views 19 replies 13 participants last post by  Timbo 
#1 ·
One for You, One for Me...

I figured it was time to start another new blog. We've got friends that are getting married, and we wanted to give them something special. I figure the best gift you can give is one you want for yourself, so I'm going to make two while I'm at it. We originally thought about a mirror, but realized shipping it would be problematic. Then I thought about the clock project that had been bouncing around in the back of my head. After my usual extensive research, this is the design I like:



I then set out to find faces. I found www.clockprints.com, but wasn't totally satisfied, and ordering the right size was problematic. I figured I could engrave my own clock face with the Dremel tool, so I drew this up in AutoCAD:



The blue circle nominally describes the sweep of the hands I ordered from Rockler. The quartz movement has a pendulum and is AA battery powered. I'll be making the face bookmatched by resawing some QSWO thin enough for the movement shaft to poke through. I found an article in FWW about making the face first, then building the clock around it, which I thought was a good idea.

I will also put a picture frame hanger on the back, just in case we want to hang it. I'm planning on making a wine stave wine rack, but all of my barrel ends are concave from sitting out in the sun, so I thought this might look good either on top of it, or just above it. Our mantle has a large nautical chart above it, so ironically, I don't think the mantel clock will fit on our mantle.

They're getting married the second week of November, so I've got to hurry, unless I want to invoke the one-year rule…
 
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#8 ·
I'm going to design my own plans based on the picture shown above and the size of the face. I'm going to resaw some QSWO to just under 3/8" and bookmatch it, glue a printed page onto that face when it's the correct size for the clock hands, then dremel tool the design. I sand the paper off and paint the engraved part. If needed, I sand flush again to clean up the edges/sides of the painted engraving. I'll finish the face with just tung/blo so that it contrasts with a dark, mission stain on the body. This should also set off the pendulum nicely.

That's my process, and I'll document the steps as I go along. If anyone likes the design, it'll be available as soon as I draw it up in AutoCAD (sorry no Sketchup yet, and yes I know about the photo import option).
 
#10 ·
Disappointment

I finally received my shipment from Rockler. I opened up the packaging for one set of the AA powered quartz movement w/ pendulum and one package of the hands that I had selected. I assembled them and hung them on the wall. It took me a second (literally) to realize that the second hand was moving backwards. Also, the pendulum wouldn't keep swinging. The hands also kept coming off the drive shaft. I reassembled after verifying the diagram on the back of the packaging. Still unacceptable. I even looked and the stuff was made in the USA. BTW, Woodcraft sells the same brand, so I'm not slamming Rockler. Am I doing something wrong?

There's no way I can invest any time or wood on a movement that is that questionable. I looked into mechanical movements, but they're out of our price range. As a result, I'm having to rethink the wedding present situation entirely. I've gone through my Stickley catalog and have some ideas (i.e. picture frames, mirrors, coat racks, etc.). It looks like I'm going to have to invoke the one year rule. I really wanted something to be able to put on the gift table. Sigh…

I do really want to build this project. I think it'll look phenomenal with our other furnishings. I'm going to save up for one of these from Klockit.com:

 
#11 ·
Captain, you might take a look at www.klockkit.com They sale a lot of kits in every price range. Sorry to hear about the problem with the kit from Rockler. They do have a pretty good customer service, I would call them and explain the situation before I give up.

Mike
 
#18 ·
Ordering

I'm about to pull the trigger on my order from Klockit.com. I had a few questions about what to order, so I pinged their tech support. They don't mention what size winding key to get. I'm assuming that it's an eight-day movement, so that if you wind it every week, it'll keep running. I grew up with clocks (i.e. grandfather, cuckoo, etc.), so I didn't want a set that chimed. I think the pendulum length and swing will fit nicely with the design I've selected. I substituted hands that are more in keeping with the style of clock I'm making. I also asked what the winding arbor meant. I believe it's another hole, drilled into the face of the clock, for the winding key to line up with the movement, but I wanted to make sure. BTW, I'm only going to be making one of these. I'll be making something else for our friends' wedding present. I hope that's not too selfish.



I'm pretty excited about this project (not that that's any different from any other project I start). I think I'll feel a lot better about a quality mechanical movement vs. a quartz piece of plastic. I'm hoping the pendulum will look a bit more authentic too.

I've been getting some questions from my better half about how the dining room set is coming along. The answer is that I'm still in the "design phase", and I need smaller projects like this that I can finish to make me feel like I'm still making progress. My new job as a sailing instructor is really getting in the way of my woodworking. Plus, I'm emotionally exhausted after a day on the water, keeping the students from accidentally jibing the boat. As a result, I'm not getting out to the shop after dinner. I'm also trying to keep the power tool noise down after business hours for the sake of the neighbors' sanity. OK, not much progress on this blog to report, but I thought I'd keep it updated.

UPDATE: I sent the e-mail to Klockit.com right before I started writing this blog entry. I just got a response from them, so I'm pretty darn happy with their customer service! They said the appropriate winding key comes with the kit, and I needed a way to oil the movement. They just happen to have that oiling kit on sale. Feature that…
 
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