Frame Types and Tube Bushings

Jim emails:  "I was looking at the arbors plans for the Deco and it appears that the Wheels are a tight fit on the arbors and the arbors spin within holes drilled in the frame - is this correct?

When I built the Simplicity (still ticking, btw) some of the wheels had a tube pressed in them and that assembly spun freely on its arbor.

If I am correct about the Deco Arbors, why did you go from the tube/arbor combination to a press fit with the arbors spinning in the frame holes?  Doesn't this make the front/back frame alignment critical?  Is friction an issue?"

Thanks, Jim

Clayton:  There are basically two type of clocks that I design; plate clocks (by far the most common kind of clock) and uniframe clocks.  Genesis is a true uniframe.  ALL of the wheels of the Genesis turn on stationary arbors that are pressed into the frame:

Genesis by Clayton Boyer

Deco is a true plate clock where all of the arbors turn in the plates (frames):

Deco Built by Bob Brown

 Simplicity is a combination of these two basic clock building methods:

Simplicity by Clayton Boyer

Tubes seem to turn freely on there rods on uniframe clocks, but they do not turn as freely as simple wood hole on metal arbors.  I did the experiment with the Genesis.  One Genesis I built with tube inserts (as with the Simplicity) and on the other Genesis I just drilled the hole in the wheel and set it on the arbor.  The latter took significantly less drive weight to run the clock.  If I were ever to redesign the Simplicity I would totally eliminate the brass tubes, except for spacers and where the crutch/pallet arbor goes through the frame.  A tube is needed there for alignment.  The same is true in the Toucan.

DO NOT use brass tubes for bushings in a two plate clock.  You can read LOTS about this in my blog.  Just click on the huge word "bushings" in the right hand column.  Brass bushings are one of the two fastest ways to turn your kinetic sculpture into a still-life (the other is getting finish on the tooth surfaces).

Whenever I mount the front and back plates of a two plate clock, during the alignment process I insert rods in all of the arbor holes.  And I keep twisting them to make sure that the alignment is correct as the frames are glued and screwed in place.  Fortunately if they are not exactly aligned a simple, very slight "reaming" with a hand drill to remove the friction will solve any binding problems (but I hope that won't be necessary).

Yes, friction is always an issue in any clockworks, no matter what kind.  And the more arbors your clock design has, the more wheel sets your clock design has, the more friction is created.  Check out my Radiance one wheel clock and see how little drive weight is required to run a single wheel clock:

Radiance by Clayton Boyer

 

Enjoy! Clayton

Radiance by Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson emails:  "Hi Clayton,

Here are the pictures and YouTube video of the Radiance.   What an enjoyable build!

Even though the adjustment factors are critical, it is worth the effort after it comes to life.  I commend your brilliance in designing this clock, and thanks again for the plans.   I did some things a little different in designing the weight and pendulum, and had a idea for the C.W. lever that I saw from a picture from your Flickr Pool at your site.

Kinda a frame motif...hope I did it justice.

 Again, your plans are great and accurate. Off to the Solaris and Marble Strike in the near future.

Have a Wonderful and Blessed day.  Tim Wilson"

Clayton answers: "Aloha Tim, that's just totally great! You caught me so off guard with your creative choice of pendulum weights that I actually laughed out loud! Brilliant!

This is exactly why I love seeing pictures. Of course I always enjoy seeing my designs reproduced exactly the way I designed them, BUT I also LOVE seeing the creativity that other woodworkers put into their mechanisms to personalize them and make the completely unique.

This is a beautiful and creative Radiance. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job on your Radiance and you are right...she is a bugger to get adjusted correctly, but such a wonder to watch when she's running.

Congratulations on yet another successful and creative build.

Aloha. Clayton"

Ap Brijer's Clocks

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Ap Brijer, who has built several of my clocks. He kindly emailed me with two letters and pictures of his beautiful work and I'm delighted to be able to share them with you now (click on any picture to enlarge):

 

Model T by Ap Brijer


Swoopy by Ap Brijer

Ap writes: "Hello Dr. Boyer, here a message from Ap Brijer out of the Netherlands. I ordered plans Swoopy and the Model T and I want you to see the results. I had some trouble to get the Swoopy running properly but the Model T started running as soon as I put the weight on. I find the escapement on both clocks fantastic and it is very difficult not to look at it.

My sister was looking on your site and she loved your Radiance clock so much that she asked me to order the plans and build it for her.

So I hope that you send me the secret link.

I wish you all the best and I want to thank you for this magnificent hobby.

Didn't know I had it in me ;-)

Ap Brijer" 

I sent Ap the secret link, and three years and FIVE clocks(!) later he writes:

"Hello Dr. Boyer,

Here a message from The Netherlands

I sent you the pictures of my finished clocks.

After making Swoopy and Model T I followed with Radiance.


Radiance by Ap Brijer

I started it at 2008 but I could not get it running so it disappeared in the closet

but this year when i clean out the closet I started again and after making a new escapewheel

(with better tools and a bit more patience ;-)) its now running (still a bit to fast) nicely.

After the very frustrating experience with Radiance I build the Horologium which was very easy

to build and I get a little bit my self-confidence back. So I started to make Modern Times.


Modern Times by Ap Brijer

Again not so difficult to build and its running now a year without any problem.

But then you came with Attempt and I was sold.


Attempt by Ap Brijer


It was a very nice job to build. The only thing that gave me a little headache was the adjustment of the rack.

And then came Toucan. What a fantastic design and being a electrician I have to build this.

Its running, because its electric, very accurate like a quartz clock. I love it!


Toucan by Ap Brijer

And now I'm beginning with a new challenge: Marble Strike.

I think that this hobby is very addictive, I surely can't stop with it.

I wish you all the best,

Ap Brijer"

Here is my return email to Ap:  "Aloha Ap, even with the wonderful design team I have for these mechanisms, I can't keep ahead of your construction! And what a beautiful job you did on all of your clocks, too.

That is one flashy Radiance. Yes, Radiance is probably the most frustrating of all my clock designs because there are so many fine adjustments that must be made to get it running correctly. BUT once she's running, she's an absolute dream to watch go through her gyrations. I can stand and watch her forever - trying to anticipate when she's going to pick up that lever and loose her single wheel.

Yes, the Horologium is a super easy clock, and the Modern Times is not much more work, but what a fantastic runner and so trouble free. I love the subtle colors of your Modern Times.

Man! Your Attempt Striking Clock is absolutely beautiful. You have an amazing eye for color combinations, and your Attempt is "striking" in more than the auditory way. What a beauty!

I didn't know you are an electrician, so that makes your approval even more satisfying. So glad you liked the Toucan design. I can't believe you created yours so quickly! She is a pretty fast build, but you really got yours completed amazingly fast. Yes, she's incredibly accurate, PLUS there never any winding!!!

I look forward to seeing your interpretaion of my Marble Strike. Your craftsmanship is outstanding, and your artistry with colors is truly breath taking. Beautiful job on all of your builds. Thank you so much for all the pictures. You have created such wonderful mechanisms and you can be very proud of all of them. Thank you for doing my designs so beautifully.

Aloha. Clayton

Radiance by Leonel Leite

This picture was sent to me by Leonel Leite, who did a beautiful job on "Radiance," one of my more difficult designs.  Thank you for sending me the picture, Leonel.  She's a beauty.

"Radiance" is a one-wheel clock, and as far as I know, the only one-wheel clock design in the world.  She was featured in the February 2009 edition of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) journal, along with an article I wrote about designing it.  The "tweaking" stage of this clock can be challenging, thus its inclusion in the Masochist's Corner section of my clock plan site.

Leonel also sent me this wonderful picture of his "Radiance" alongside his build of one of my easiest plans, "Simplicity."

Hey Leonel--your walls are starting to look like mine!  Time to move to a bigger house...