Clock Cabinet

I've been interested in books for as long as I can remember. I just recently began to look into clocks and how they function with all their various p arts and gadgets. After a ton of research and studying other peoples clock projects (and also disassembling many clocks around my house ), I finally discovered many of their fascinating secrets. I then decided to create some of my own functional artwork from the information I had gained. And what better way to show off my creativity and brains than creating an instructable for everyone to share in the fun?
While beginning to write these instructions I came to the conclusion that not everyone has top of the line tools or every single machine and tool out there (myself being one of these people), so in many of the steps I will include alternate tools that can be used to create this project, as well as useful tips that I discovered along the way.

Take into consideration that having friends with their own tools can be a big help too. I didn't have many tools or the space to work in really, but I was conveniently allowed to take over my friends work space

Please Take note that this has potential to be a lengthy project ( or maybe it just seems that way because i created it?) but even so it is a very doable one that will bring great satisfaction and enjoyment at the end.

I had to deal with little children and annoying cats through much of it's creation. So i wish you luck in avoiding distractions

Step 1 Gathering Materials Needed

-Google Sketchup http://sketchup.google.com/
-Plenty of workspace (helps to be clean)
-Over needed amount of lighting (the brighter the better!)
-Sketchup files

Hand tools needed-

-Pencil
-Sharpie
-Eraser
-Cheap not-so-great-sticking tape (no, its not a joke)
-Tape Measure
-Ruler (preferably metal edged)
-Square
-Exacto Knife (a couple extra blades helps)
-Wood glue
-Spray-On Adhesive (Or Elmers Glue, Spray-On works better)
-Acrylic paint (red pops out well)
-Rubber Mallet
-Small Point Punch
-Stain Rags

Power Tools Needed-
-Drill
-Jigsaw (Or Radial Arm Saw, cuts more accurately)
-Sander/s (mouse sander for large surface smoothing, Belt sander for evening out edges)
-Table Scroll Saw
-Dremel Tool (Or short dowels with sand paper glued around them)
-Router Table

Raw Materials Needed-

-One 2x4x6
-Five 1x2x 6
-One 1x4x 6
-Two 1x12x6
-Two 1x10x6
-luon board (for back)
-Four 3/8, 4 dowels
-One , 4 dowel
-Stain of your choice (multiple colors if you want)
-Clear Coat
-Chain (8 feet should do)
-Hinges

Comments

[Topcat2021]

You have made a very nice clock, my compliments on your hard work and attention to detail. I have one unrelated question though in some of your pictures I noticed some to the wood clamps used were made from Uni-strut, where can I find the kits (or plans if homemade) for such clamps as they would be far superior to the average "pipe" clamps for long reach clamping. Thank You very much for your help and keep up the good work Dan

[blkhawk]

Have you considered making gears of metal like aluminum?

[rftran]

After you get the parts cut out, how do you peel the paper off if it is glued on? I"m working out my plans on making this project. I appriciate all the sketchup files BTW. Those are a ton of help

[petercambouris]

 Hi Rftran

I just used a hairdryer and the work well.

[traeman2000]

Truly Fascinating! Sry, get to excited. Very Nice.

[KEUrban]

Congratulations on becoming a finalist in the Craftsman Workshop of the Future contest! Good luck!

[dncngthrghsunday]

Haha Thanks! I'm definitely excited!!!

[chrisrocks]

I've never seen anything this amazingly cool!its like a grandfather cabinet!It should be in #1

[alex-sharetskiy]

Very well detailed, and a very nice product!

[RaisedByRobots]

magnificent! does it actually work? I want to make a metric clock that tells time in metric time, e.g. 100 minutes to an hour, etc. Don't have any idea what the gear ratio would be. a procrastinator's dream!

[dncngthrghsunday]

Yes it actually works. They take a bit of fine tuning though, being made of wood and all. but that's the beauty of them I think. Not many people are willing to put time into anything anymore, they just want everything done quick... and that way usually doesn't work. The gear ratios are simpler then they appear, if you just stick to the same number groups, 10, 30, 60(all factors of tens). I suggest steering away from switching the numbers to all different groups ( you can end up with half minutes, 10ths of minutes, it just gets confusing that way haha). If you need any help with it I'll be glad to give you some :)

[fultron89]

Nice. Stick with watchmaking-don't become a nuclear physicist just because your father wants you to...

[omnibot]

Cool clock and amazing ible .. the most complete clock-project I've seen. Great work.

[jeff-o]

One way to avoid knots, and make cutting the gears far more pleasant in general, is to use some high quality baltic birch plywood instead of solid wood.

[iamthemovie]

Nice clock. ( :

[Toasterbot]

THIS CLOCK IS THE MOST AMAZING THING EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vintiquities]

Hey, this is pretty cool. Very steampunk-ish. I'm giving you a vote.

[fungus amungus]

Great use of sketchup!

[gmjhowe]

Nice work, the final thing looks great. I love the cogs on the top.