Buy a old cheap mechanic clock on the auction sites, strip it down and put it back together ,take photos of each stage when taking apart.

I've brought a Setright bus ticket machine ,I am taking it apart taking photos, as there's no manual.

Bob

Search Google on the 'Dark lady' clock. Well documented build with the use of basic tools (+ instructions how to make the few specialised bits you won't have).

Succesfully built by many people over the years apparently.

regards

If you go this route be careful of the springs. I would suggest for a first attempt, if you can find a time only weight driven clock it would possibly be a better starting point.

.

I recommended the Napoleon’Hat [sorry, I forgot to mention striking version preferred over chimes] simply because it has a ‘Goldilocks’ sort of size, and is available dead-or-alive at realistic prices. Most are mass-produced items and there is much to be learned by simply dismantling and rebuilding one.

This was, I thought, exactly the point at which Paul wished to enter the fray.

It’s what I did, on the introductory ‘evening classes’ at Stevenage College several decades ago.

Opinions obviously vary … That’s fine.

MichaelG.

Here’s a challenging, perhaps not new idea put to me years ago. Understandably, it may also attract protests from certain members, but that’s the fun that often transpires in this forum.

The idea is to rummage around for an old, relatively simple (spring-driven?) clock (or just the mechanism), that is essentially complete. If repairs are needed this might be a bonus.

Strip the mechanism having first noted (photographed) essential details such as the order of the wheels and pinions. Leave aside the plates, these will provide a guiding template for the pivot centres. Keep any other items such as pillars etc. that might still have a use.

In their correct order, rearrange the wheel/pinion train in a vertical stack. Taking advantage of transparency, I’d suggest using thin clear acrylic as temporary plates.

This is where the real challenge begins. Drawing the scrolling along the lines of something like this …

Plates from John Stevens Skeleton Clock design. 

I can see this becoming quite a fascinating and lengthy project, with lots to learn and ample opportunity for ‘sculpting’ the front and back plates.

As a footnote, I did take steps towards making a miniature ‘replica’ of my version of John Stevens skeleton clock. Without an in-depth investigation, I simply bought an old alarm clock from the local op-shop. When I opened it, I discovered that the main spring was not captive.

Would I do it to this Wehlen mechanism?

Never! That would be vandalism.

Good luck Paul

Sam

Edited By Sam Stones on 09/08/2023 22:17:12

You may already have reached this point Paul (& Jim). However, my search took me first to John Carruthers …

**LINK**

Then a reference to Model Engineer !!! c.2016

**LINK**

This led me to John’s thread for the Dark Lady …

**LINK**

Beware – there are nine (9) pages of posts from 1st May 2026 until 12th May 2017. I haven’t been through them.

Continuing on there was this …

**LINK**

with a nice picture of the clock

A quick video of the build. [1:38] can be found here …

**LINK**

Good luck,

Sam 

Not so sunny Melbourne

Edited By Sam Stones on 11/08/2023 21:26:39

You are most welcome Jim. Thanks for your response too.

As a one clock 'expert', I can see from your profile and albums that making and building a clock is well within your capability. Perhaps I should drop you a separate line?

Cheers,

Sam