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

Simplicity Tutorial

My friend Adrian came across this excellent "Simplicity" tutorial made by Tom Yandle, aka Sailontampabay240 (his YouTube handle).  Thank you, Tom.  Great job on the clock and the video.

Sneak Preview

Soon to be available at www.lisaboyer.com:  "Toucan"

This clock was designed by me and built by my friend Jeff Hecht (who also contributed this great video...thanks, Jeff!).  "Toucan's" pendulum is driven by a transistor switched electromagnet in the base of the clock that works with and against a small magnet in the bottom of the lowest pendulum bob.

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.

Before Clocks There Were...

A year or two before I made my first wooden clock, I worked my way back into woodworking by making wooden bowls and boxes.  I made this little vase/pot for my wife for Valentine's Day one year.  It's only a few inches tall, as are these items:

My wife loves these (she made the Fimo clay housefly to go on one of my son's art projects, but it lighted on this box one day and never left).  I guess my designs got a little silly because I got bored with boxes.  I needed wood that MOVED.  I started making clocks and moving sculptures shortly thereafter and haven't made a box since...well...except for maybe this one:

Heh heh...cracks me up every time.

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...