You see I really love making clocks – all kinds of clocks. I don’t mean the clock mechanisms – although I’ve seen some interesting plans for entirely wooden clocks. I mean taking a mechanism [...]]]> A Happy New Year to everyone interested in making clocks – unusually, I thought I should start the year with an apology…

You see I really love making clocks – all kinds of clocks. I don’t mean the clock mechanisms – although I’ve seen some interesting plans for entirely wooden clocks. I mean taking a mechanism and making a complete clock from it – a wooden clock, or a clock from paper maché, or whatever… and it had been my intention to do a blog about the things I make.

Unfortunately life got in the way!

I started out with good intentions but I’m renovating our house – which takes up a lot of “spare” time and then the day job has a nasty habit of getting in the way. The result is I haven’t given nearly as much time as I would have liked to this clock making blog – and to be honest it’s unlikely to change in the next few months.

But I’m not giving up on the idea!

I will try to add stuff, and I’ll try to keep you up to date with interesting or useful offers (like the Woodcraft one below) – but no promises as to how often. If you want to know when I really start giving it some time (I will be eventually) just sign up for the free newsletter. In the meantime, have a great year.

I had a note from Woodcraft the other day….

I’ve been a fan of theirs for years – you can get all kinds of tools and supplies that are useful for clock making from them online, not just strictly woodworking tools. Anyway, as I write this they’ve got a sale on with up to 80% off all kinds of things from drill bits to routers. Why not pop over, see if they’ve got something you need. Best have a look now though – you can bet offers that save you this much money aren’t going to be around long!

There are three in the range to start off with, and each can have Arabic or [...]]]> I know quite a few people are looking for fine quality grandfather clock kits so if you’re one of them you will be interested to hear about the latest introduction at Clockparts.com – Complete grandfather clock kits, all parts included.

There are three in the range to start off with, and each can have Arabic or Roman dial so you have plenty of choice to put together your own classic masterpiece.

As for what you need to turn your grandfather clock kit into a family heirloom – not much, because it’s almost all included. Here’s an extract from their site:

• American Red Oak Construction, All Wood is Pre-cut
• German Made (Hermle) Weight-Driven Movements with Moving Moon Dial
• Genuine Bevel-Edged, Tempered Glass
• Beautifully Machined Wood Parts
• Brass Finished Pendulums, Weight Shells & Clock Dials
• Simple, Step by Step Instructions With Plenty Of Photographs

I particularly like the sound of that Moon-phase dial, although Hermle movements are about as good as it gets!

This is obviously no cheap knock-off. You would expect a quality grandfather clock kit that can last generations to require some investment.

In fact it will cost you just under a couple of grand – not a bad price after all. If it’s something that appeals to you then you’ll want to act quickly because you can pre-order and save 10% – which is worth having at close to $200.00!

For all the mouth-watering details (well it is mouth watering if you’re a clock nut like me) click here: Grandfather Clock Kits at 10% off.

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With one of these kits you can make a clock that is 3 feet and more across. Now that’s a [...]]]> I like the idea of making a really big clock – in fact I’ve got ideas for several – so I was delighted to hear about the special offer on giant wall clock kits from Clockparts.

With one of these kits you can make a clock that is 3 feet and more across. Now that’s a big wall clock, and you could make one of these impressive timepieces really easily.

The great thing from a design point of view is that the movement itself is (a) small enough not to get in the way of whatever you want to design and (b) runs off a single battery and is a piece of cake to install.

At the moment these large clock movements are reduced to only $23.99 – which is an absolute bargain. Full details here.

I’ve order several – and I’ve already started work on some ideas for nice big clocks that they’ll be perfect for. As soon as I’ve got them together I’ll share some plans. Excuse me if it takes a while – I’m in France so they’ll probably take a few days to get here!

You might even want to think about this from a business point of view. Have a look at how much a  large clock will cost you. I’ve seen them from around $90 to over $400 and I strongly suspect, by the description, that they’re using these easy-to-fit $23.99 large clock movements. Now that’s profitable, isn’t it – sometimes size matters!

ORDER HERE.

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In the meantime, Clockparts have come up with some more great offers but you’ll need to be quick because these prices are [...]]]> I had hope to have more free clock plans ready for you by now, but you know how it is, unfortunately life has got in the way of what I would rather be doing!

In the meantime, Clockparts have come up with some more great offers but you’ll need to be quick because these prices are until April 11th only.

First up are these very attractive 3-1/2″ atomic-regulated fit ups. They’re controlled by a cesium atomic clock from Fort Worth, Colorado. Now to be honest I’ve no idea what that means – except they’re reckoned to be the most accurate in the world!

All you need to do is make a 3-1/4″ hole in whatever material you have and pop them in. It runs of a couple of AAA batteries. Prices start at just $12.00 each but you can get good discounts for quantities. There are also matching digital thermometer/hygrometers so you could put together a nice temperature/weather/timepiece for someone’s office (or your own of course!).

The other special is on these heavy duty pendulum movements.

They can be used on their own or combined with a regular quartz movement. One of the common problems with pendulum drives is that some are, frankly, a bit feeble. They have trouble actually shifting a decent bob.

Not so with these. They’ll shift up to 3.5 ounces, which makes them not only suitable for the full range supplied by Clockparts but also capable of dealing with most things you might dream up yourself.

The big advantage with a pendulum drive is if you fancy making some kind of bizarre or humorous clock. You can put the pendulum and the actual time movement in entirely different places. You could, for example, create long horizontal clocks with the hands at one end and the pendulum at the other. As soon as I get some time I’ll work up a few ideas.

These heavy duty pendulum movements start at only $3.25 and again there are good discounts if you buy bulk.

Full details on both deals – and possibly the best range of other clock supplies online – from Clockparts.

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For a start there are these mini quartz clock movements at just $3.00 each – a saving [...]]]> Just a quick update from the guys over at Clockparts. They’ve got a few special offers on digital clock movements and clock kits at the moment so you should find savings whatever kind of clock making you are into.

For a start there are these mini quartz clock movements at just $3.00 each – a saving of 60%. There are also high torque movements – vital if you want to use long hands – at big savings.

The Hechinger radio controlled movements are very popular and are arguably the most accurate budget clock movement in the world. It checks itself against a radio signal in Colorado four times a day and is accurate to one second per million years! Expensive? Nope, under $10.00 each.

If you fancy making a photo clock from a favorite picture there’s now a compete kit available. Movement, case, lens, hands, instructions, photo paper dial, the lot. Just run the paper through your printer, print your favorite photo on it and assemble. Great for gifts, the kit has been reduced from $39.99 to just $24.99

All offers are only while stocks last so check them out now so you don’t miss out. Full details here.

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It’s not just for woodworkers – although if you are after a new tool you could pick up a bargain – Woodcraft also do a range of [...]]]> This is just a very short note to let you know about the Woodcraft spring sale that runs the 26th and 27th February – the end of this week!

It’s not just for woodworkers – although if you are after a new tool you could pick up a bargain – Woodcraft also do a range of clock movements. Not the biggest int he world but with a minimum 10% off you might save a few bucks.

Just click the banner for details:

Hope you get a great deal!

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