I am looking to get a mantle clock for my mother. I am completely open to building the clock case from scratch, or purchasing a clock kit with the mechanism. Has anyone had prior experience with this? I see clock kits available and the clock mechanisms only with plans. My question is would I be better off as far as "bang for the buck" just buying a nice mantle clock, or making one. My fear is that the kit will supply a cheaply made clock mechanism. Reviews online are scarce.
Well, Ive made a bunch of clocks over the years, and what ive scene of store bought clocks is they are seldom made out of solid wood. IMHO buy the plans and then get the movement, dial, etc. that you want, not what comes with a kit. Klockit, murry clock, emperor clock are a few vendor's I use. Here is an example of a nice simple mission style mantel plan, https://www.klockit.com/mission-mantel-clock-plan-and-components.html
Thanks for your quick response. You answered my concerns. I noted Klockit has plans and the clock parts. I will order the parts and plans and get my own wood. Thanks again.
It is "buyer be ware" for analog clock mechanisms. A quality unit can cost hundreds. Quartz movements like what Klockit has are very inexpensive and seem to last a long time (accuracy is excellent too). These are what I used in all my clock projects.
Many of the wood magazines have detailed plans for mantle clocks. If you have the ability and time, they make for great small shop projects.
I will say I have bought digital clocks from WalMart that literally DID NOT WORK. ONE had a digital face like this SEE PIC…
time to time. (NO PUN INTENDED!) part of the display would not work so I would get up in the middle of the night, cast a gland at the clock at it would display GO:ON or GO:GLE or BO:OB one time I got up for work cause it said 02:00 when it was 12:00.
YES indeed BUYER BEWARE!
ALSO this is a lesson learned. I made a few rustic small clocks for people to use on their nightstands. I had one I liked so I put it on my nightstand. When you make a analog clock with those clock works you buy at Hobby Lobby or where ever THERE IS No LIGHT so you can see it…. NOTE TO SELF!
I've had good luck picking up mantle clocks at 'antique' stores and what not for very little money, doing the refinishing, and refurbishing with klockit parts.
Thanks again for the replies. I got great advice. I think the concensus is Klockit makes a fairly decent clock mechanism. I should have been more specific and indicated when I referred to a kit I was thinking more of the clock mechanism. Anyway, I will post when I have finished the clock.
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