WOODEN GEAR CLOCK

I am fascinated with clocks. Not the WalMart clock in the bathroom but those clocks that exhibit fine craftsmanship like grandfather and cookoo clocks. Even those medieval clocks that are still ticking away in clock towers in Europe.

While tooling around YouTube I came across videos of wooden-geared clocks. Others had discovered these clocks and videoed each step of their construction. These clocks that are totally made out of wood were designed by Clayton Boyer. His designs are just beautiful.

So after retiring I set up my shop, bought the plans and materials, and slowly began. Now I have to admit that I was nervous in the beginning. I have never done anything like this. Yet I knew I could do it and was determined so I read the plans through and began at the beginning.

Clayton Boyer says in his website that those making these clocks better be prepared for frustration and his is right. Here is one example.

Boyer uses Baltic birch for his clocks. I have never heard of it so I figured birch is birch. I bought birch plywood at my Home Depot store and got busy. I soon encountered splintering plywood while cutting out the pieces. If the pieces are not precisely cut the clock doesn't work. So I knew I was going to have to throw some pieces out and start over. Thus the frustration.

I finally decided that maybe there is a difference between birch plywood and discovered that there certainly is. Baltic birch plywood has more plys so it is much stronger than Home Depot birch plywood. I had to track down a place that sells what I needed and discovered it in Tennessee. I placed an order and they sent me what I needed. Since getting the Baltic birch I have recut a number of pieces with great results.

Cutting the teeth.

Splintered birch plywood. A waste of time. Different teeth broke off so this gear was ruined.

 I still have a long way to go but I will get there.

This is what it supposedly looks like when complete.