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Wood clock plans suggestions

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 5:55 pm
by Kayvon
I've built a couple clocks from plans composed by Clayton Boyer. Simplicity is a workhorse, running day in and day out. Journey was a headache, always giving me problems, but lots of fun to watch when she worked.

I'm considering doing more wooden clocks, maybe a spring-driven design next. Does anyone have experience with other designers I should consider? Clayton Boyer's clocks are beautiful, his plans well-written, and his email support impeccable, but I'm wondering if I should branch out some.

Re: Wood clock plans suggestions

Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:06 am
by bill z
Kayvon,

Another clock designer is Bryan Law from the UK. He uses several escapements and has 22 clock designs.

http://www.woodenclocks.co.uk/

He has an Epicyclic gear drive clock that interests me. A couple of his clocks have odd shaped gears that sink with other odd shaped gears.

When I was making my wood geared clocks, I could see how each gear was a 60 to 1 ratio so I thought I could design my own. I found out that I am not artistic by any means. My clock was ugly and didn't run well.

A great note is that Aspire does most of the work of keeping the 60 to 1 ratio for the gears. To me, larger gears are easier to keep moving.

Best of luck on finding your next clock. Keep us informed.

Re: Wood clock plans suggestions

Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:54 am
by Kayvon
Thank, Bill. Law's clocks look great. A very different style from Boyer's.

By chance, have you tried both designers? Could you compare their instructions/plans?

Re: Wood clock plans suggestions

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2019 6:30 am
by bill z
I have NOT tried Bryan Law's yet. but I have been thinking about the Epicyclic gear drive clock for several months.

Maybe the smart thing to do is to try one of the cheaper designs to see how documented it is. Then go to the more elaborate.

The other side is that we both have made several clocks and can figure out about anything. No guts no glory!!

Re: Wood clock plans suggestions

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2019 1:09 pm
by Kayvon
Spot on. I think that's what I'll end up doing unless I take the plunge and design a clock myself first.

For those interested, here's a list of sites with plans. I'll try to keep this list up to date with comments from others.

Clayton Boyer's clock plans
Clayton has a variety of beautiful clocks. Outside of brass rods and string, you'll find most clocks are completely made of wood. There's a stunning variety and each clock has a gallery of builds to give you ideas for customization.
Clayton is great about responding to emails. Designs run $40-$60. Paper plans are available for a couple dollars extra to cover paper/postage. I usually order paper plans and ask for the DXF files in addition, which he always includes in the price.

Brian Law's woddenclocks
Brian has around 40 numbered designs. Most of his clock use metric measurements, but usually both sets of measurements are provided. Designs include a large number of non-wooden functional components, like bearings. A few designs are even available for (FDM) 3d printing, rather than wood construction.
Most designs run $26 for digital plans. Some bundles are available for $36.

WoodenTimes
Only about 10 designs available, but they feature a beautiful, thin aesthetic. Both paper and digital plans are available, usually for €40. The site also sells kits.

Re: Wood clock plans suggestions

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 7:21 am
by bill z
Just a note here about Brian Law's clocks.

Yesterday, I downloaded one of the 4 FREE clock PDFs to try out his designs. I had a question about the sleeves and shafts in his design so I emailed him. Even though there is a 6 hour time zone difference from Texas to the UK, he responded within 3 hours to my questions.

Looking over some of his other designs, he has some interesting escapements.

With the cooler weather setting in, I think I'll stay inside more and build another clock (between 'honey do's).