Lots of progress this week, although a lot of it will be difficult to show since the clock is still in pieces. The new additions to the clock include two gears, two pinions, a post for the 24 tooth ratchet click, a pillar for the large bridge, redoing one of the bridges for the perpetual mechanism, and a handful of other odds and ends.
The biggest accomplishment for me was redoing one of the bridge for the perpetual mechanism. This is shown in the pair of photos with “New” and “Old”. I’ll explain the need for the updated version, but as I said, this one will be difficult to understand without seeing the gears in it. The old version housed one gear. The gear it meshes with came out of the center-hole nearby, and was cantilevered on an 1/8” steel arbor. When I had the clock together I felt that the gear was cantilevered out way to far, and the arbor needed support on the other end. Especially because another gear and both hands for the perpetual display would need to be added to the end of that arbor over three inches out. I decided to make the pillars taller, and recut the bridge to include a hole that will house the center gear too.
So here’s what makes machining that part tricky. Normally the holes for the bridge and the backplate are drilled at the same time ensure that all the holes line up perfectly. This wasn’t an option since the holes on the backplate are already drilled, and I didn’t want to mess with them for fear of ruining the finish or shape of them. Getting the holes on the new pillars and bridge to line up with the old ones required a lot of very careful measuring and patience.
I also cut my first gears and pinions in the new shop. This includes the big 180 tooth gear that will turn the four moons. The setup is working well, which means it’s official…I’m fully operational in the new space.
One of the other little parts that I included a couple pictures of is the post for the 24 tooth ratchet click. I like how the base has that cutout that wraps around the nearby pillar.
Sooo much left to do but i’m slowly getting there. This week will be a little short due to the holidays, but things are definitely set up in the new space and everything is in full swing now. I’m looking forward to pouring in the hours in the new year.
