Finally, some progress...

  I had to get in some forge time so I decided to spend part of the day on the forge.  I decided to start work on the arbor.  The arbor for most of its length is 1" diameter circle.  On the end I am working on, it goes to 3/4" square then to 1/2" round.  I started with a piece of 1" round stock.  Then I forged the 3/4" square on the end.  The 1/2" round will wait until I get some other work done.

  After completing that portion of the arbor, I next made a washer.  The washer fits against the gear and from my experience with the wooden clock, the washer helps to keep the gear from wobbling.  The washer is really a piece of 1/2" stock, 2" x 2" with rounded corners.  I then punched a 3/4" square in the center of the washer so that it would fit on the arbor.

  Next, I took the spokes I made a few weeks back.  I did a little more straightening on the spokes.  I then punched a 3/4" square in this as well.  These pictures show where things are at at the moment.  The circle part of the gear is just resting on the spokes to give an idea of what it will look like.





  The previous photo shows the washer.  There will be another washer on the other side of the gear then a small wedge to hold them in place.  Finally, the end of the arbor will be rounded to connect to the frame.

  Finally, here are some new toys.  Three monkey tools and a top swage.  The monkey tools are used to square up shoulders when making round ends.  The top swage will be used to help me make the rounded end of the arbor.



BTW: the small hole about halfway down the monkey tool is a vent hole to keep air from getting trapped inside.  Also, I got a little tip for making monkey tools cheaply.  Pick up a 2# sledge from Harbor Frieght.  Remove the handle and anneal the hammer.  Drill one end with the size of hole you need for the monkey tool.  Drill this hole to the eye of the ex-hammer.