My grandfather clock build project |
There aren't many things left on my Bucket List, but one of the remaining items is a grandfather clock. I've been wanting to build one for over 15 years, and am glad to say that the clock is currently underway. My family has had a grandfather clock that has been handed down for six generations. My older brother currently has that clock. While I envied his having the clock for a while, my preference is to build my own clock. When I say "build", I mean to purchase a very old movement and dial and to actually build a case for it. And to repaint the dial to give it my personal touch.
Grandfather clocks, or long case clocks if you prefer, essentially are made up of: 1. A movement or "works" 2. A dial and hands 3. A Pendulum 4. 2 weights 5. A cabinet or case 6. It also wouldn't hurt to have some plans and the proper tools As for the plans, I purchased a Mason & Sullivan plan sheet about 10 years ago. I also decided long ago that if I were going to pursue this build, than it would be best to get the dial and hands along with the movement. That would save me much work in terms of marry the two into a working piece. Finally, I had decided that I would get the movement and dial BEFORE I would start work on the cabinet. For many years it was possible to find any number of old clock movements on the Internet. Today, most are available primarily in the UK. In April of 2015, I found not only the movement and dial, but also the pendulum and weights. They were from Salisbury, England. When I took delivery on the movement, etc., I proceeded to test the "works" by placing them on a test stand. I was pleased to learn that the clock kept perfect time and the strike mechanism worked every hour. Having these parts of my project, all in working order, it essentially just left me with building the case and re-painting the dial! Then in early May of 2015, my older brother brought me a large supply of well-seasoned Illinois walnut that he had cut years earlier. I am very grateful for his gift of this excellent hardwood! It's worth pointing-out to the reader that this author is not a woodsmith, nor did I have any of the proper tools. In preparation to build the case, I have picked-up a biscuit joiner, a table saw and a thickness planer. There is more that I need but leave it at this as my wife might read this! |