Going to Build a Grandfather's Clock

[GrayFox]

My next project is a standing Grandfather's Clock. I'm looking for any advice the group has to offer.

[Morris Dovey]

Well, since you asked, I'd suggest making it wider than it is deep; and taller than it is wide.

[Swingman]

Don't believe anything Morris Dovey tells you.

[Juergen Hannappel]

Search a Grandfather. Give him a Clock. Then all you have to do is make him stand up...

[Roger Jensen]

What case style are you planning to build? I have built a few following traditional English styles and using antique movements. If that's might be where you are headed perhaps I can be of some help. I am presently building a Chinese lacquer style case with an English 8 bell movement.

Roger Jensen Abilene, Texas

[James D. Kountz]

Be sure to set the time correctly after building it! Joking aside check Uncle Norms site (New Yankee Workshop). I believe he built one sometime ago and the plans are there. Also Klockit.com should have some things for you to look at as well as Rockler and a host of other sites. Go a-googling and you should turn up plenty of info.

Jim

[James D. Kountz]

Well I just checked and I think I was wrong about Rockler. I couldnt seem to find the plans there. They may have some but I didnt find them.

Jim

[Swingman]

IIRC,

might have kits, plans and parts for all types of clocks.

[James D. Kountz]

Have a look here too.

[Andy Dingley]

Bit more advice - get a copy of that essential clockmaking book, "Carving Architectural Detail in Wood"

You'll want to understand classical design (proportion and details), and carving doesn't hurt either. Damn good book.

[mttt]

Close. Step 2 would be "take his clock". It's a Grandfather's after all.

[mttt]

IIRC next month's Wood is doing one.

[Bruce Farley]

I find a lot of good plans at

built a Grandmother clock (about 8" shorter than a GF clock) from plans I got from them. They also sell all the parts needed for the complete clock. You can make everything yourself or buy a pre-cut kit or anything inbetween. Also you can call and get knowledgleable help from them. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions, just remove the obvious. Bruce

[RB]

[Andy Dingley]

I'd go for a a grandmother instead. A real grandfather is _huge_ and unless you have a really large house to display it in, it's far too likely to look "crowded" in any of the places we live in today.

They're also (IMHO) not that attractive. Grandfathers usually have a flat-topped pediment (sometimes triangular), and I find a swan-necked grandmother a much more appealing piece. It's also a bit more scope for moulding or a finial.

Then make a dummy from corrugated cardboard and live with it for a month. My mantelpiece clock is made from bronze, granite and cardboard. It's 4 years old now and I'm still wondering about design details for the hood.

You're looking at the thick end of $1000 for anyhting with a new mechanism, so don't cut corners. Have the design and proportions perfect, or else buy in plans. Use the best timber you can. Don;t be tempted to simplify something to make it quicker and easier - you're going to be looking at this for a long time.

[Charles Jones]

Lots of excellent points by Andy. I'll add one other issue. If you can, try to listen *in person* to both a clock with bells and one with chime rods. The sound is distinctly different. The bell mechanism is also significantly more expensive. But, for my money, the tone of the bells exceeds that of the rods.