Hello from Chris in Australia

[ChrisInOz]

Hi Folks.

I'm Chris,  retired after 40 years in the software development industry.

I became interested in clock making about 15 years ago,   but have not achieved much yet.   I am part way through making a W.R. Smith grasshopper skeleton clock.  I spend a lot of time discovering all the mistakes that can be made by an apprentice without a master.

So far I have made the plates and pillars

  

 

also cut and crossed the third wheel. (Made from engraving brass sheet.)

I also have some old pocket watch movements that I hope to learn to repair one day.

I have an AWT Webster Whitcomb lathe that I bought on eBay back in the noughties.  I am powering it with an old model aircraft starter motor from 1980,  and a pulse width modulator speed control that I built from a kit. 

I also have a 10x22 Chinese lathe for the larger parts.

Cheers to all,

Chris.

[RichardHarris123]

Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 

[oldhippy]

Thank you for your introduction and welcome to this friendly forum.

We all look forward to your contributions and continued involvement. 

If there is anything we can help you with don’t be afraid to ask. Nice clear photos can help a lot.

Grasshopper escapement certainly not easy to make. For those that don't know what it is here is a picture.   

[ChrisInOz]

7 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

Grasshopper escapement certainly not easy to make. For those that don't know what it is here is a picture. 

Yes indeed.  I haven't started on the escapement yet.  I've done the barrel,  and presently working on the main barrel arbor.

I plan to make my own single point cutters for the escape wheels  (There are two on this clock.)  The hardening and tempering process should be interesting. 

[ChrisInOz]

Just thought I would add a pic of the W R Smith skeleton clock for those who haven't seen one.   This is what it should look like when I am finished. 

With the Grasshopper,  compound pendulum and fusee,  it's probably not a good choice for a beginner's first clock,  but I was too inexperienced to know any better at the time.  Fortunately Bill Smith's plans and construction book are very detailed, so hopefully I will get there eventually.

[Nucejoe]

Welcome to the WRT forum.

[oldhippy]

I'm sure you will achieve your goal. Keep us up to date.