Because of too many factors to mention, my clock has been on the back burner for too long. Yesterday I was doing an SCA demo at a smaller event so I decided it would be nothing but clock work.
I decided to work more on the frame. For those faithful readers, I had mostly completed the basic frame about 6 months ago but decided I was unhappy with some of the work. So a few months ago I restarted but have not been able to do much work.
So yesterday I worked on some of the side bars. The work I have to do is form tenons that go into the corner posts. While the work is fairly simple in concept, it is a multi step process and time consuming. This is how I form the tenons. I apologize for the lack of photos due to forgetting the camera. (BTW: for those that do not know the terms. Mortise and tenons are like holes and pegs. The mortise is the hole, the tenon is the peg).
1) The metal is nicked to show where the shoulder of the tenon will be.
2) The metal is heated and I use a chisel that is flat on one side to begin forming the shoulder.
3) A set hammer (a square hammer that is struck by another hammer not swung) is placed at the start of the shoulder and the shoulder is further defined.
4) The tenon is drawn out to thin it to the correct size.
5) A bolster plate is used the further define the correct size for the tenon and its shoulders. A bolster plate is nothing more than a thick metal with a hole the size of the tenon. The hot tenon is placed into the hole to thin the metal of the tenon to the final correct size. This also helps to form the shoulders to final size. An alternative tool that can be used is called a monkey tool. Same principle except that the tool is driven into the piece instead of the piece into the metal.
6) The hot piece is then hammered into the post to make sure it is a perfect match to the post.
7) Finally, all pieces are double checked for sqaureness.
All of this work has paid off. The new frame is very snug and stable. The previous frame needed ropes to hold it together while working. This frame is staying together on its own. In fact, I have to lightly tap it with a hammer to separate it. Eventually, I will pein the tenons on the frame to permanently hold it together. Very happy with the new frame. I promise some pictures soon.
3 comments:
Will you be able to make a second clock out of the old parts?
Actually, the parts I did 6 months ago have already been partially recycled into the new clock. Since I am dealing with frame parts, a large part of the frame is just flat stock. Blacksmiths are great recyclers... :) And when I say recycle, I mean the parts are recut, reforged, etc.. I really didn't want to out right reuse parts because I was not happy with the work quality. I am still learning a lot and I would not have been happy with the pieces from my first effort. This time around, I am much happier.I still have some of the old parts. I will take photos of the old parts compared to the new and you will see the difference.
I look forward to the side by side comparison. Thanks!
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