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My dad worked for the railroad for 38 years. He was also an avid woodworker. Over the years he made many pieces of furniture, as well as various boxes, bowls, plant stands, etc. for his home and for friends. When he was no longer able to work in his shop, he let me have most of his tools. One of the items I got from him was his band saw (which he had built from a Gill Built kit).

The "rolling" stand that he had for the saw was getting in pretty bad shape and was far too big for my small shop so I built a new one to better serve my purposes. However, I decided to save the wood from his original stand and use it when I could for future projects.

This clock is the first of those projects. Looking at the clock you will see several "flaws" (old stains, nail holes, etc.). I purposely used these pieces of wood from his band saw stand to remind me of where it came from and the work my dad had done. (not to mention they cover my own flaws!!) While he was very meticulous in his work for things that would be used and seen by others, when it came to building something for the shop he was more about functionality than looks. Consequently there are several old nail holes (in no particular alignment), dents and scars that are visible in the clock. As for the clock insert itself, I choose the old railroad steam engine design because of his many years working on the railroad and also because he help to build several steam engines in the 1940s and 50s.

Gallery

Comments

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20,030 Posts
Any piece that has a story behind it simply is a better piece. Great job, great story.
 

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375 Posts
A wonderful tribute to your Dad and a great use of vintage materials.
 

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18,411 Posts
A wonderful piece, that not only tells the current time, but also the story of times gone by.
 

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36 Posts
The distressed look is in also. I have been touching up a lot of new furniture that is distressed lately.
 

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1,083 Posts
Great project with sentimental value that both of you are sharing.
 

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4,054 Posts
Nice story and that clock face is pretty awesome : )
 

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1,243 Posts
Cool story. Cool history, and very cool clock.
Thanks for sharing George.
 

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2,474 Posts
Gotta love a piece with a story behind it.
 

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11 Posts
Beautiful clock and story!
 

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1,049 Posts
Man, a masterpiece isn't just about how it looks but on the importance of that thing being made of.
 
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