Minimal Clockmaking

[stevec]

I had no idea it would be so easy!

[TomG]

Yes Brian, looks like a piece of cake from here.

What's next?

Tom

[Brian]

Hi all
Been slacking a bit lately, the shop is full of boat engine so no room for the clock on the bench, so to keep this thread rolling I have moved on to the dial.
To cut the dial plate a face plate is required BUT this was not with the original lathe. so I had to make one.
Normally I face the metal plate with a wooden sacrificial plate so I can screw to it, in this case I made a new plate from ply wood with a thin disposable surface,

   

The blank is attached with, double sided tape -- a draw bar-- and screws just in case it grabs.

   

First cut the outer ring.

   

Remove and refix the dial plate then cut the dial inner ring.

   

PHEW !!!

   

And thats it.

   

Time for a drink

Brian.

[DaveH]

I have to admit I always find that a bit of a scary way.
Nice job Brian

DaveH

[Bill Gruby]

I was never fond of the Trepanning Operations.

"Billy G"

[Brian]

(03-27-2013, 04:16 PM)Bill Gruby Wrote: I was never fond of the Trepanning Operations.

"Billy G"

Sure Bill it makes me pucker a bit every time I do it.

Brian.

[Brian]

Having made up my mind to put a brass dial on this clock I realized that it did not fit in with the ideals of minimal clocking, the finished dial will cost around 20$
So I was left with the problem of finding a alternative.
I have a few photos and scans of old dials for reference, so i found one that looks right and did a Photoshop job on it, then adjusted the size on the printer,
A dial ring was cut from a scrap alloy plate, and the two bonded together.
Unfortunately the bonding process affected the cheapo ink that i have in the printer and gave the dial a blueish tinge, but I think the system will be OK. The cost ---less than 1$.

   

Back to the boat engine
Brian.

[Mayhem]

I actually like the blue tinge Brian...

[EdK]

[TomG]

Nice job on the dial Brian.

Where do you get your brass? Places around here think that if it looks like gold, it must be worth it's weight in gold and price it accordingly.

Tom