Finally Finished – A Shaker Style Chain Driven Wall Clock - Woodworking Talk

Chiefwoodworker · 10-22-2009, 11:35 AM

Hi,

I recently finished a wall clock I crafted for my daughter. It was a gift for graduating from law school. It is made of cherry, spalted maple and walnut. The clock is a mechanical movement. What an experience I had with that. To see more pictures and a description of its construction and design go to http://www.srww.com/blog/?tag=clock and scroll down the page. By the way, you can get free copies of SketchUp plans for any of my projects on my blog by following the Free Plans menu button.

Texas Sawduster · 10-22-2009, 01:12 PM

Nice work on that clock. Keep up the great work.

Chiefwoodworker · 10-22-2009, 01:21 PM

Thanks Texas Sawduster. By the way I was just in the Austin area a few weeks ago. Sure was hot!

frankp · 10-22-2009, 01:44 PM

Nice clock. Mind if I ask where you got the mechanism? I've been wanting to build a nice mantle clock for a while but a tall "grandfather" might be an option too.

Chiefwoodworker · 10-22-2009, 02:01 PM

Thanks Frank,

I would not recommend getting the movement from where I got it. Too many parts were missing or wrong. This particular movement was a Hermle 241-080 gong. It is a grandmother clock movement. Hermle makes a number of very good movements of all types. I recomment them. They are a German manufacturer but also have plants and service in the USA. Try Black Forest Imports. Scroll down the page until you see Movements - Hermle and go through all the pointers. There web site is not real easy to use but they have everything you need. They bailed me out with my original order and were very responsive.

I have also done a ganfather clock. You can find it here and here. In the latter URL you have to scroll down the page to see it.

ACP · 10-22-2009, 02:19 PM

Beautiful clock. The choice of woods, especially the spalted maple, really create a beautiful look. Also, congratulations to your daughter on graduation!

Chiefwoodworker · 10-22-2009, 02:25 PM

Thanks ACP.

You might imagine I am very proud of her and her accomplishments.

firehawkmph · 10-22-2009, 10:36 PM

Nice job on the clock Joe.
I am sure your daughter will be proud to diplay it in her new office. I like the contrast of the spalted wood against the walnut. Very elegant.
Mike Hawkins

mics_54 · 10-22-2009, 11:15 PM

nice job as usual , Joe

BHOFM · 10-22-2009, 11:58 PM

Very nice. I have never built a big one. Clock that is.
That one will stand the test of time I am sure.

Chiefwoodworker · 10-23-2009, 10:15 AM

Thanks guys. I appreciate the compliments.

woodman42 · 10-23-2009, 10:20 AM

Wow! Beautiful clock.

Streamwinner · 10-23-2009, 10:35 AM

That is quite amazing. Beautiful craftsmanship. That will be an heirloom.

Chiefwoodworker · 10-23-2009, 07:52 PM

Thanks guys.

Chad · 10-23-2009, 08:39 PM

Awesome clock, I've been considering trying to make one. Are the moving parts terribly hard to set up? Once again nice clock.

philbert_wormly · 10-23-2009, 11:21 PM

Top Notch Craftsmanship....Looks Fabulous

Chiefwoodworker · 10-24-2009, 07:58 AM

Thanks Chad.

The moving parts are not difficult to set up once you have instructions. The problem is that the mechanical clock community is geared to clock collectors and restorers. Not the occasional woodworker. So there is little in the way of written documentation that comes with them. I had to do quite a bit of online research to pull some together. I will probably document my findings in a blog post shortly.

Chiefwoodworker · 10-24-2009, 07:59 AM

Thanks Philbert.

Gerry KIERNAN · 10-25-2009, 10:05 AM

Very fine craftsmanship Joe.

Gerry

Kenbo · 10-25-2009, 11:41 AM

That is some fine work Chief. I took the time to check out your blog and was extremely impressed. The work that went into this clock is an acheivment in itself. I loved the fact that you were doing the dovetails without a jig. The old fashioned way, if you will. There are some that would say that is the only way. Great work!! Thanks for sharing. Your daughter should not only be proud of her accomplishments, but yours as well. Congratulations to you both.
Ken