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Good news . . . this clock just made Reader's Gallery Fine Woodworking Magazine. Don't know which month yet.

This is my tenth clock. I started building all-wooden gears clocks after retiring from 25 years of service in the US Navy (retired in Dec 2006). The first wooden clock was inspired by a similar all-wooden gears clock that I witnessed in a Cape Cod Arts Museum while on honeymoon in November 1982. I told my wife then, "Someday I will build you one of these beautiful clocks." She chuckled at the thought. Twenty-five years later and a wake-up call I made good on my promise. That promised clock is labeled M-3 on my website www.hardwoodclocks.com . This current clock (M10) fulfills my second promise which is to build one for each of my adult children upon their marriage. This clock is for my daughter Patti Rose who married in October 2014. My choice of Mission styling comes from the many requests I get for a clock of this type. The stained glass inserts on the support bench were acquired while on active duty and assigned to COMNAVEUR, London, UK. Adding these 1920's stained glass pieces to the bench was the perfect use for them. The leaded crystal in the pendulum bob was found and purchased at an art museum in Richmond, Virginia. The bob itself is fashioned in a circle to honor the unconditional love in marriage. An inscription under the bench top reads, "Above all, always cherish each other." Predominantly constructed from quarter-sawn white oak with mahogany gears. Finished with hand rubbed tung oil followed by carnuba wax.

Gallery

Comments

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Awesome work. A real treat to see. Great shapes and balance. One of my favorites.

Regards
Dan

This project made me imagine another similar piece that could be electrified.
Battery operated clock with a small, separate , belt drive motor to make the gears spin. Sort of a whimsical idea, but might really get someones attention with gears turning around and around. Simple on and off toggle switch for the motor.
 

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Spectacular is the word I would use!

Lee
 

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wow charles, this goes beyond exceptional, with the symbolism and all the extra touches , to me these clocks are almost priceless….i would like to know how many hours you have in this clock, i dont know if you even took count but …gee…your family is so blessed to have these, these will go on for years and years and only you know just how much of you are in these…fantastic charles..you sir are a master clockmaker…thank you for sharing….
 

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I don't know much about clocks but I do know when I see some really fine woodworking.
This is some really nice work! Congratulations! It's a beautiful time piece!
 

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This might be the most amazing clock I've ever seen! Just beautiful!
 

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superb! It is an amazing work of art, engineering, craftsmanship…. I love the details. the beautiful face, the glass, crystal pendant and I'm sure much more.
 

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Very nice clock, thank you for sharing, you have a wonderful gift
 

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Exquisite! It's the only adjective I could come up with that has not been used. ;-)
 

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All I can say is WOW! and How? How did you get started and how could you help myself to get started?

Beautiful…simply beautiful !!
 

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absolutely beautiful.
 

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That is some inspiring work. Thanks for sharing.
 

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Incredible work, Max. I love seeing your clocks. The design on this one is very nice. Do you laser/cnc-cut the face?
 

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I owe some answers . . .
For Grizzman: How many hours? Hmmmm . . .I'm guessing abut 360 hours!
For Alongiron: At some point in the future I plan to publish a book with a simple clock design to teach the craft.
For Bobasourus: I did use a local laser artist to cut the design into the mahogany face. It took some time to piece the mahogany template together and then edit a drawing to prepare for the laser. I also laser cut the hands from a 5 layer laminate that I specially glued with epoxy.
 
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