Thread: Help for a newby wanting to make a wooden clock

Hi there

Wooden geared clocks are as varied as can be. U need to google the different sight but basically

1 Yes u can buy plans
2 yes you need to buy plans (at least to start with)
3 Go to Brian Laws web page he even has some free plans you can download
4. You need to be accurate with a fret saw or own a cnc router

I started building a clock some months ago with plans i bought from Brian and un beknown to me was one of the more difficult ones with oodles of gears. Something like 14. The face is 600mm in dia but it is beautifull. DSC05050.jpg BUT i am fortunate that i built a cnc router about 3 years ago and what a pleasure to watch the machine cut the gears. Having said that there are those who will only use a fret saw.

sorry newby

i didnt see the clock u posted but i have seen forums of builders doing those as well.

Max

Hi Wilko,

Click HERE for a link to the Jonathon Knowles Clock Company; this is an Australian mail order company who can supply what you want. The link takes you to a page with what I think you are after.

With simple things like this you don't need a plan; the clock is a quartz "fit up" going straight into a decorative wooden surround. To make the surround like your picture a router with a circle cutting attachment or a wood lathe will be needed; what do you have access to?

Originally Posted by Chief Tiff

Hi Wilko,

Click HERE for a link to the Jonathon Knowles Clock Company; this is an Australian mail order company who can supply what you want. The link takes you to a page with what I think you are after.

With simple things like this you don't need a plan; the clock is a quartz "fit up" going straight into a decorative wooden surround. To make the surround like your picture a router with a circle cutting attachment or a wood lathe will be needed; what do you have access to?

hi Chief Tiff,
Thanks for the link
I would like to attempt using the router. Most of the clocks I have seen appear to be made in sections,
I dont have a circle cutting attachment, but could get one..I dont have a lathe
Thanks
Wilko

Originally Posted by max rennie

Hi there

Wooden geared clocks are as varied as can be. U need to google the different sight but basically

1 Yes u can buy plans
2 yes you need to buy plans (at least to start with)
3 Go to Brian Laws web page he even has some free plans you can download
4. You need to be accurate with a fret saw or own a cnc router

I started building a clock some months ago with plans i bought from Brian and un beknown to me was one of the more difficult ones with oodles of gears. Something like 14. The face is 600mm in dia but it is beautifull. DSC05050.jpg BUT i am fortunate that i built a cnc router about 3 years ago and what a pleasure to watch the machine cut the gears. Having said that there are those who will only use a fret saw.

Wow what a beautiful clock. My aspirations are only for a simple round face.
I will check out the website
thanks
Wilko

Circle cutting jigs are dead easy to make. Here's one How to Make a Router Circle Cutting Jig

Just google 'circle cutting jig' there's youtube examples there as well.Loads to choose from.

I use my lathe to turn gear blanks, my band saw to rough cut the teeth, a Permagrit file to shape them and a scroll saw to cut the inner bits out.