

Post Script - a couple of things prospective builders should know :



- After completing Gary's Clock, I learned from another builder that there is a fundamental design flaw. The escapement wheel should have 20 teeth, not 18. So, if you decide to build this clock, you will have to design a new wheel. - I was also advised that the D.P. of 10.35 on two of the gear was wrong. - Gary emailed me the following : " I think the main issue with the clock was I was too efficient in adding the little push the pendulum needs to keep running.As the weights fall they are stopped by the escapement mechanism.The entire gear train comes to a complete stop and starts up again when the pendulum retraces its path. The way the escape part is shaped ends up giving the pendulum a very small push to keep it running. If you didn't do this the pendulum would eventually stop due to friction and wind resistance.

In the 2003 clock I placed the escapement near the bottom of the pendulum. My thinking was this was more efficient. Turns outI was right. It is more efficient. But too efficient.

The inertia of the gears and the placement of the escapement have to be balanced to work right. It's all about balance.

I've noticed that quite a few people have tried making the clock from aluminium and even brass.This changes the inertia of the clock a lot. They managed to get it to work. " - And finally, Gary advised that he never made the clock. That in itself if not necessarily a bad thing as it should not affect the design which I find is beautiful and should not stop anyone from making one for themselves. But I think it is a material issue and prospective builders should know this.

I have recently (2016) built two of Clayton Boyer's clocks. The first one, Simplicity was a great learning exercise and runs ok. If I built it again, now being a bit more experienced, I'm sure that it would run like a top. The second one, Solaris, runs beautifully and is gorgeous. Whether you cut your parts manually or with CNC, you will spend many hours of your own time in a clock project. While the appeal of free plans of Gary's clock may be appealling to some, I very strongly suggest that you pay a few dollars to Clayton Boyer, Brian Law or Wooden Times. They all make beautiful designs, their designs run and are well tested, and there are many people who have built clocks from their plans. The designers are very engaged with builders to assist when necessary. The broad base of builders of these clocks give the new builder a vast collection of experience ready to be passed along. Finally, go to Youtube and search on these names to see many running examples.