Space Time Continuum by John Fast



Space Time Continuum by John Fast

John Fast emails:  "Hi Clayton,

 

I completed your Kinetic Sculpture design recently and thought you might be interested in seeing the results in these 10 photos. I followed your advice and constructed all the cogs, etc. from Baltic Birch ply. Except for the cogs, I veneered all the other parts to cover the ply layers. The main supports are of Purple Heart wood. I changed the design on the balance wheel a bit. I could not find any suitable marbles, so I made my own as well as the weights out of a piece of soapstone that I couldn't find any use for over the past 15 years. I also had to add the extra weight shown to keep it running. We don't have much humidity here in Winnipeg, Canada, so that isn't an issue for me. I'm really pleased with the result and while it may not be as perfect as your work, it looks great in our living room. Thanks for a great design.

 

Cheers,  John Fast"

 

Note:  Click on any of these pictures to enlarge: 

 

 

Clayton answers:  "Wow, John, you do magnificent work!

I hate to disagree with you, but your Space Time Continnum is way more perfect than mine! Yours is truly the art of a craftsman, and those soap stone counterbalances are beautiful art pieces in themselves. I'm glad you found a good home for them. I guess that's why they have been so patient for the last 15 years. They were just waiting for their place of signifigance in your sculpture.

Thanks for doing such a spectacular job on your Space Time Continuum. You have truly done that design proud.

Congratulations.  Aloha. Clayton"

Must Read: John Hilgenberg's Helpful Tips for Building a Wooden Clock

John Hilgenberg's Marble Strike Clock

For many years, John Hilgenberg has built many of my designs, and created expert designs of his own. Here are some of the ways he approaches building a wooden clockworks. Some of his methodologies are identical to mine, and some may vary from my recommendations – but he has been kind enough to put his methods down on paper, and I present them here for your perusal and hopefully some of this information, from his vast store of clock making knowledge, will work for you, too...

 

Here is the link to Johns' advice on my website:  FAQ's: John's Tips

Simplicity by Barry Coleman



Simplicity by Barry Coleman

Barry emails:  "Hi Clayton.    Barry Coleman here, thank you for plans sent, here are pictures of the finished clock.   It runs on about 7 pounds of brass, losing about 1 minute an hour at the moment, will trim.

This is my first clock, can hear it ticking now, very satisfying.

Regards, Barry"

Clayton answers:  "Congratulations Barry, you did a nice job on your Simplicity. I love to hear these 'first time' stories because I still enjoy hearing about a new clock being put into beat.

Give your Simplicity some time to 'break in'. Some clocks run fast or slow in the beginning. Give it two or three weeks before any major tweaking.

I agree - hearing her ticking is quite satisfying.

Great job on your Simplicity.

Aloha. Clayton"