Feeling real now...

In the spring of 1996, I started working in London.  Shortly after I started working in London, I saw the clock at the British Museum that inspired my obsession.  Unfortunately at the time, I didn't know that much about making reproductions.  I say unfortunately because I lost a big opportunity in taking photos for my own use.  I made some sketches and took just a few photos.

When I returned to the states in late 1997, it took me nearly two years to learn enough about woodworking to make my first clock.  That was 1999.  I knew when I completed it that I was not overly satisfied with it.  It didn't work all that well but it was still a very cool project.



I did a few more woodworking projects and in early 2001 I made a second wooden clock.  I was much more satisfied with that one.  It worked and the wood working was much better.  I still have that clock in my house.  (The first clock was recycled for its wood.  Believe me, it was the right thing to do...)  I felt that I was ready to tackle a metal version of the clock.



At that time, I was going through changes in my life.  I pretty much put aside a lot of projects until things settled down.  In late 2002, I put together my first forge.  It was a brake drum from a truck and powered by a hair dryer for its air supply.  My first anvil was a 55 pounder from India.  That anvil dented under a stiff breeze.  It was a year after that in late October 2003 that I started this blog.

I completely underestimated how long it would take me to make the clock.  Maybe it was arrogance or maybe I was just comparing it too much to woodworking.  But I had a lot to learn.  The Mastermyr chest reproduction I did last year gave me the confidence that I would be able to make the clock.

Earlier this year when I was finally able to figure out how to make the finials on the clock.  That was a weight off my shoulders.  Once I figured that out, I knew I was on the right track.  Also, I started to make parts of the frame.  I had some success and some failures.

Just within the past month, I have been making a serious effort to make progress on the clock.  Other than the family vacation, I have been getting out at least every other day and have made very few (know on wood) mistakes.

I sat down after working tonight to relax.  When I sat down, I started thinking about it and I realize now that this clock will be made.  There are times that I have doubted myself over the years but that is in the past.  I know I still have a lot of challenges ahead.  The axles and gears I'm sure will be challenging.  However, I have no worries about them now.  Just another technique to learn.  It feels really good.

Tonight I worked on the cross bar again.  I started to punch and cut the shapes needed on the top cross bar.  This is what it looks like.  It was still wet from quenching when this photo was taken.



A little explanation.  This cross bar will be on top of the clock.  The two cutout shapes on the right side of the picture will hold vertical bars.  A small piece of metal will hold the bar in place.  The picture that follows helps to explain it.  The blue square is where the bar will go.  The yellow bar is where a shim of metal will be placed to keep the bar in place.  The hole out the to left is to hold another part.  That part will hold a part of the clock that is similar in function to a pendulum.