Number Six by Aleksandar Momcilovic

Number Six by Aleksandar Momcilovic

Aloha, Clayton

 

Here are a few pictures of my first ever wooden clock.

 It has been working for a 5 month and I am very pleased with his accuracy and overall performance.

 I used  padouk for frame, birch ply for gears, walnut for numbers, pear for pendulum rod and bob parts and ash for small detail and weight shell.

This is such amazing clock, it starts right away and keep ticking day after day.

Moving on to new challenges, I am interested in attempting a Solaris build so I will purchase plans.

I thank you for offering such amazing plans.

Greetings from Serbia,

Aleksandar Momcilovic

Aloha Aleksandar, that is truly an excellent build!  

Your padouk Number Six, with all your creative personalizations, is spectacular.  It is always so enjoyable for me to see the creative additions that builders put into these projects, and you have let your muse run free with this build!

With your excellent craftsmanship, evident in every part of your Number Six, she should be a powerful runner, singing her beautiful song, for decades to come.

My Number Six had her tenth anniversary last June ~ and is still as dependable today as she was a decade ago.

I think you have created an absolutely beautiful clock that will become a treasure in your family, to be passed down through the generations.

Congratulations on a spectacular build, and thank you for sharing your story and pictures of this beautiful clock.

Enjoy!

Aloha.  Clayton

Ric Paulson and his Number Six

Ric Paulson and his Number Six

Ric emails:  "Hi Doctor Boyer,

As the picture attests,  the Number Six is finished and running. That bag that looks like an IV is my version of a test weight. I’m now in the process of dressing her in Red Oak. Nothing wrong with the Baltic Birch but this is going to someone who requested the oak.

This is actually my third clock, I bought a kit which turned out to be a big mistake. It turned out rather flimsy and although I could get it to run on occasion it spent most of the time at rest. The problem turned out to be simple but makes every build of mine an exercise in modification. I live just outside the city with the highest annual average humidity in the U.S (including Alaska and your home state). Bellingham, Washington has a average humidity of 79.4 %, if it was constant it wouldn’t be an issue but the big swings from day to day cause havoc with the wood. My biggest headache is boring the arbor holes and having a nice tight fit one day and an oversize hole the next. I ended up adding dowel set collars to everything.

Next I built your Genesis from the magazine and although it runs quite nicely for long periods it seems to make up its mind to stop at irregular moments. I suspect the humidity has something to do with it, I just haven’t found time to track down the cause. #6 ran right from the beginning and I didn’t even have to adjust the beat, she seems immune to the humidity.

I’ve enjoyed every minute of the process so far (yes even the frustrating ones) and I’m going to order another plan set just as soon as I finish this message. You are bringing a lot of joy to those of us who wrestle with wood so please keep it up!

Warmest regards,

Eric (Ric) Paulsen

PS: One last thing: I discovered what happened to that old Craftsman scroll saw you had. A company in China bought it and thought that the vibration was a “feature” so they added some more and made thousands of them. I of course bought one, I have since upgraded but I’m not sure when my arms will quit shaking. They must have had some of the “feature” left over because I bought a band saw from the same company and it is loaded with it too!"


Clayton agrees: "You have confirmed what I have also found about the Number Six. It is the best, least humidity sensitive clockworks that I have. It will run, flawlessly, up to about 85%. Then it gets real quiet around here.

Genesis is more sensitive for a couple (or many) reasons. That 60T escape wheel, and the uniframe. The frame would be best made from ply, because I know it's shifting around under all those wheels.

The Craftsman scrollsaw?  I still have dreams that my back teeth are vibrating. No other machine has had quite as significant an affect on my psyche as that one.

BTW, if you should have any interest, you now qualify for entry into the Masochist's Corner...
The secret path begins (this part censored...again! --Lisa). You are now in the inner sanctum of the Masochist's Corner, and may peruse any and all of the creatures that live there...Welcome.

Aloha. Clayton"

Number Six by Keith Thomas

Number Six by Keith Thomas

Keith writes:  "Dr. Boyer,

I have just finished my #6. I started with all baltic birch but thought it was too "white" so remade the frame out of zebra wood, looks alot better I think.

I just got plans for your Wee Willie clock and noticed your email on the plans so thought I would drop you a line. It looks like it will take a while to make but will be enjoyable. I enclosed a few pics, one is a wood Harley I did a few years ago.

Harley by Keith Thomas (this plan not sold or designed by Clayton Boyer)

I will send pics of my Willie clock when completed. Thanks for the plans, it is an enjoyable hobby.

Keith Thomas"

Clayton responds:  "Keith, I really enjoy seeing the personal touches woodworkers put into their projects. Your Fleur-de-lis hands and beaded dial ring blend nicely with your zebra wood frame.

I was actually glad to see you went with the lighter in weight copper hands on your finished Number Six clock. The wooden ones may have been too heavy with all their "Fleur" out to one side. Imbalanced hands can be difficult for a clock to lift after they leave the six o'clock position. Going with the lighter copper hands was a brilliant move, and they look very nice with your wood choices, too.

I can see with all the woodwork you have on your walls why you didn't want the "white" look of the Baltic birch ply frame for your Number Six. The zebra wood fits nicely into your home. I won't be showing your Six pix to my Number Six though...she'll get jealous and be wanting a new frame.

The Wee Willie really is a fun, and pretty easy build. It is a small clock and accuracy in drilling and cutting is extremely important. I don't usually build more than one of any design, but we liked the WW so much that I built a second one and am presently designing a weight driven, wall hung version.

Very nice to hear you are enjoying this wonderful hobby, and your work really does these designs proud. Thanks for the great pix.

Amazing detail in your Harley sculpture. Congratulations.

Enjoy. Aloha. Clayton"

Elegant Pendulum Length Solution

Number Six by Dave Kettunen

Clock builder Dave had a brilliant idea for extending the pendulum on a clock that was running too fast. Not only is the idea brilliant, but in this case I think the overall look of the clock is improved.  Here's his email he sent with the picture of his Number Six:

Dear Clayton:
Well I finished the #6 and it's a joy to have the clock start up the minute I set the pallet to the escape wheel. You'll notice that I had to extend the pendulum shaft (by 4") because the clock wanted to run fast. Probably because I made the weight from a piece of 2 x 6" copper instead of 1 1/2 x 10 copper. Instead of making a new shaft, I designed a spacer to fit in the middle. I think it looks great. The clock is mostly cherry with 2 walnut gears and the pallet is in maple.
Dave

My response:  Really beautiful, Dave. Brilliant idea for extending the pendulum shaft (much like the idea on Model T and others). I will be recommending that trick to others with a clock that runs too fast - and yours came out superb. I think that really adds to the overall look of your Six.

Glad to hear she started right up for you, too. She's a very forgiving mechanism, and my own personal All Time Favorite. Mine has been running daily for almost nine years without a single problem. I am pretty sure yours will run as well. You did a quality job.

Congratulations! Every home needs a heartbeat, and now yours has one.

 

Aloha. Clayton

Two More Number Six Pix

Number Six by Clive Evans

Number Six by Rod Schlaak

Thanks for the emailed pictures, guys!  Beautiful work.  Woodworking plans available for the Number Six clock can be found at my website, www.lisaboyer.com

Letter to Clayton: Polishing Arbor Ends and a Half Hour Strike Variation on No. 6

Hello Clayton!

It just keeps gettin' better!

I've learned alot from the first Number 6 build.
On that one, I re adjusted the crutch and pulled and sanded the pinions a dozen times before finally finding scratched arbors, which were stoping the clock.

That made me feel like an idiot since, between the Genesis instructions and the tips on your web site, I must have read your warning about polishing the arbor ends about a thousand times.

None of that sillyness this time tho.
I just had to hang her up and try out her beat this pm.

I know, its waaay to early to be sending pix of this one, but, I just felt REALLY good about it when I hung the pendulum and she was ready, after only 3 seconds of crutch fiddling, for me to step back and enjoy!!!

Shes now into the 3rd hr of the sweeeetest beat Ive ever heard, and still no adjusting!!

Now Ill stop patting myself on the back before I bruise and applaud the master.

You have an unbelievable gift!!

As great as I feel to just be able to glue your plans to some lumber and TRY to follow your instructions, I cannot imagine having the capacity to create from nothing a work of art so perfect and functional AND develop a process by which a clumsy hack like myself may turn out a reasonably similar result!

My hat is off to you Sir.

I cannot seem to decide what direction to go from here.
You have given me entirely too many options to choose from.

Im pretty sure Im going to build the Attempt cabinet, but, still sorting thru the other choices.

Im still wanting to make a higher tone 1/2 hr strike.
Im thinking a simpler way, rather than off set detents, would maybe be to extend the cannon pinion arbor thru the back of the frame and just duplicate opposing 180 deg detents.
I guess the wire going to the strike hammer may need to be off set to clear the pendulum.
Ohwell, plenty to keep me bizzy while deciding details.

Ill send cabinet pix soon as I figure out what wood to use.

Cheers, Roger

 

Clayton's Response:  Aloha Roger,

 

My hat wouldn't fit, and I bumped my head, on both sides, going through the doorway this morning! 

 

Wow, fast build this time. Seems like you just gave the first Number Six to your father-in-law a couple days ago. And this one is showing all the signs of becoming a real beauty, too. I see you have opted for the double weight drop top and the hourly strike. I think your idea of running a second strike mechanism out the back of your Six to strike the half hour is brilliant.

It is always exciting to hear of a new mechanism put into beat. Thanks for the pix, and thanks for all the kind words about my designs.

Number Six by Roger Bivins

From builder Roger Bivins:  "Hi Clayton, heres a pic of my finished 6.
Today's the birthday party for my father in law so she will be gone soon.

I've gotten my wheels cut for the next one.
Can't wait till my cabinet package arrives!!"

 

Lucky father-in-law!  Roger liked the Number Six so well that he's building another with the tall case option.  Number Six is one of my most popular designs.  Mine has been ticking away in my office for nine years now.  Beautiful job, Roger.  I look forward to seeing more of your work!

Letter from Clockster: Number Six Options

Hello Clayton,
SHE'S ALIVE!!!  I still have a lot of work to do yet, but its nice to
see her pulse.

My wife would like me to build your cabinet for the 6.  Does your cabinet and chime package include an assembly diagram for the double weights like Bob used?

Roger

Aloha Roger,
It is still always exciting to me to hear of yet another clock being put into beat.  My purpose has always been to spread the joy that I found in making these wonderful mechanisms, and yours is a wonderful example, BUT I still get that same joy back when I get to see the pix and read the stories.

Congratulations.  As I mentioned, Number Six is my own personal All Time Favorite design, and because of that I made the other plan with all the options - and there are LOTs of options.

There are two cases described, but many variations of those cases from extremely simple - like just pull your Six off the wall and set it here - to what you see in Bob's video with the dual weight top (which also has TWO options!), to the addition of dial rings, enlarged hands (three varieties), hourly strike mechanism (options bell above or tube below!), etc. etc.

I think that plan is close to 40 pages!  Okay, I just went and checked, the Tall Case plan is 38 pages of options for your Six (did I go overboard?  I think not!  The Six is worth it!)

Just a little story...my Six has been running flawlessly daily for almost nine years - which reminds me, a fellow from Tokyo sent me pix of his Six that survived the 9.0.  Just blew off her pendulum.  When he rehung the pend she started right back up!

Anyway, we have some friends visiting from the mainland and I moved my giant exercise ball off of the chair in my office so one could sit while I bragged about all the other clocks in the room.  Next morning I came out and my Six had stopped!  It has NEVER stopped!  WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WRONG!!!  Maybe it finally needing a cleaning?  Maybe a bug crawled between the pinion and a

wheel (that happened in my BOP.  A lady bug got trapped and stopped the clock.  I backed it up and the LB flew away).  All these things running through my mind!  Then I saw what had happened...the ball...as the weight dropped, the ball pushed the weight up against the wall and stopped the clock.

That's right, the Six can survive a 9.0 earthquake, but not an exercise ball!

Congratulations on your beauty.  I know you'll love yours as much as I do mine.  You did a wonderful job on your Six.

Enjoy.  Aloha, Clayton

PS.  The Number Six that survived the Tokyo earthquake, as well as other Clocksters' Number Six builds, can be seen here:  Flickr Number Six Pool