John Wilding 8 day Weight Driven Wall Clock

[Sam StonesParticipant @samstones42903]

WH – Although one click spring is like another, it will be clear that I'm talking about my John Stevens' skeleton clock and not Mr Wilding's 8-day.

Irrespective, I had several types of brass, e.g. round and flat bar, thin sheet, and for the frames CZ120. However, I'm not sure which brass I used.

At a guess I probably commenced with an off-cut of CZ120 although the drawing shows a thickness of 3/32 inch (2.4 mm). Although not obvious in this photo, the drawing also shows the spring as a lightly tapered section to be curved (bent) later. I now have a feeling that CZ120 was not the grade after all, but a somewhat softer (leaded) grade.

Did I anneal before bending it?

I can't remember.

Sam

PS – Get a load of those non-descript great wheel tooth profiles; neither involute or cycloidal but a beginner's choice.

It worked and has done for years.

 

Edited By Sam Stones on 24/11/2021 02:45:50

[Zachary RohrerParticipant @zacharyrohrer26143]

Dick H, I was mostly looking for theory, I had found a picture of one with the extended escape pinion, and wondered if that was the recommended way to go. I'm considering trying for a center seconds, although it will be quite a bit of extra work.

WH GS, I bought oversize stock to make my main plates and used some of that leftover stock to make the click spring. Mine is half hard engravers brass, which will take some bending before it breaks. I cut it out straight, filed it smooth, and bent it to shape. It seems I don't have a decent photo of it, i'll get one up sometime soon.

[Zachary RohrerParticipant @zacharyrohrer26143]

Here's a shot of my click spring.

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