Come Together, Right Now …
While the Beatles penned the words, it’s my turn to put them into action. The clock’s gravity escapement is starting to come together.
I spend a bit more than half of two days over the long weekend, working in the shop.
I created a “paint box” - a mini option to my full sized paint booth. I took a 2′x2′x3′ box and cut a hole in the bottom for a furnace filter. I placed one of my Patton house fans in a window in my garage (facing out) and, laying the box on its side, push the bottom / filter up against the fan. It allows me to place small parts in the opening of the box and fan pulls air thru the box while I spray at the open end.
The bummer of this weekend’s “clock progress” is that most of it was a “re-do”. I shot lacquer more than 5 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I shot with too much air and too quickly. the result ? All of that work was junk (a rough cloudy finish). So, this weekend, I use scotch brite to remove the old finish, then back to the buffing machine for cleaning and polishing. Next the parts are cleaned with lacquer thinner to remove any buffing compound, oil, finger prints, etc. Finally, it’s time to spray, dry, and spray again.
I did the smallest and most delicate parts first. The parts to the gravity escapement were top of the list. The whole purpose of the escapement is to turn the motion of the pendulum into controlling the gear train. The gravity escapement is a bit complicated - I had to finish 29 different parts - not including the various support brackets and bushings. The pendulum suspension is another 9 parts. I even had to refinish 11 bolts. (There are a lot more bolts still to do, but the first 11 got the “A-frame” assembled.)
So, over the next few evenings I hope to get a few more hours in. I have all of the gears in the train to re-do <ugh>. But the end is in sight and then I get to hear the clock come back to life once more !
ttd = 74
May 28th, 2007 at 20:06
I think it is so great that you’re documenting this rebuild adventure. I am engrossed. Thanks for taking the time to write about it.
In addition - I’m just floored at the workmanship, care, and craft that is evident in the piece as it comes together.
Hey, I have (more) questions about the works… There’s a fan-looking like assembly to the left of the escapement assembly.. 1.) Is that an air governor to slow the speed of the strike train or is its purpose to cushion the action of the escapement itself? Or - is it none of the above??
2.) Are the vanes adjustable ?
May 28th, 2007 at 20:34
Hey - thanks for tuning in and great question ! once again, the answer is a bit more than a comment so I’ll make a new post to explain the “air brake”.