Frame is done.

  I finished up the frame today.  It took me probably about 2 hours to polish up the frame with the wire wheels.  A few spots had some heavy scale.  It seemed the heaviest scale was portions of metal where I did no hammer work.  Probably if I had done just a small amount of hammer work, it would have knocked some of it loose.  Still, managed to get most of it off.

  After cleaning up the frame some more with the scotch pads, I then applied the oil.  I think I really like this mixture.  I used a mixture of about 45% thinner, 45% linseed oil and 10% wax.  I heated the mixture to just about the point it would start smoking.  I then rubbed this mixture on the frame.  What I found interesting about this mixture is that it went on as a fluid. However, as it cooled it had more of a car wax consistency.  It seemed to spread very nicely.  After it dried, it didn't have the tacky feel that I usually get with some wax.  I'm interested to see if it darkens up as it dries some more.

  I've mentioned it once or twice but here is a more detailed explanation of what I am going to work on next.  I want to start by making the great wheel (the largest gear) on the going train (time keeping side) of the clock.  In order to work on this, I need to make the arbor (axle) and two vertical uprights that will hold the arbor.  For all of this, I need to make some tools before I can make too much progress.

  1) Long rectangular punch.  This will be used on one of the vertical uprights to allow it to fit the end tabs on the frame.  I will also make a matching bolster plate.

  2) Top swage.  This will help me to form the pins of the arbor that will set in the holes on the uprights.

  3) Large V tongs.  Will be used to help make the top swage above.

  4) Layout table.  This will be critical for making the gears.  Essentially I am going to make a small, metal toped table with a pin in the center.  This will allow me to draw the size of gear I need, both inside and outside diameter.  Then, while I am forging the gear, I compare it to what is drawn on the layout table.  I need to get the gear as perfectly circular as possible.  After I place it on the arbor, I need to true it up.  The closer to a perfect circle it is before I put it on the arbor, the less filing I will have to do.


  On a bizarre note, when I came in from working I turned on the TV.  After about half an hour I felt something funny in my neck.  I pulled out a 1" wire that was stuck in my neck.  It had gone in about 1/4".  Not sure why I didn't feel it sooner but I pulled it out and cleaned the wound.  This happened with the face shield on.