Making a clock is a fascinating
and satisfying experience. From the matching of the first two components,
to the moment one hears the first beats of the escapement - it is as though
one has created a living thing. Contrary to what may be thought, expensive
precision machinery is not a prerequisite for the beginner although, as
your skill and experience draws you into the construction of more complex
clocks, the use of a light engineering lathe or a medium capacity drilling
machine may be necessary. Recently I have designed and made three clocks
on an inexpensive lathe and this included all the wheel cutting and machining
the fusee. Some books have been written with the beginner in mind and
are designated in the following pages. Usually these have been constructed
using one of the small hobby lathes. Quite apart from the pleasure experienced
in the manufacture of all the parts of the clock, the end product fulfils
both a pleasing and practical function for the home. RiteTime offer one
of the most comprehensive collections of Do-It-Yourself books on the Art
of Clockmaking. There are books to suit all levels of competence, from
the manufacturer of simple 16th Century style or battery driven electric
clocks to delicate Skeleton clocks or the complex Congreves for the more
experienced. For those interested in Long Case clocks and Antiques, there
are specialist books available which deal with the repair of antique clocks
and the construction of Automatic Winding for the 30-hour Long Case Clock.
