Update: Jeff's Clock

Magicman · July 20, 2011, 01:43:55 PM

A couple of months ago a customer asked me to build a clock for a gift. Back in my clock building days in the 80's & 90's, I built well over 100 clocks. Mantel, wall, schoolhouse, bracket, and over a dozen Grandfather clocks. Alas, I lost my ledger which contained dates, customers, type, species of wood, and serial numbers.

Anyway, he wanted a Walnut mantel clock so I have been working along on it. All of the pictures were taken with my cell phone, and I just have not taken the time to upload them and post. The delivery time is before the Pig Roast so I have to get busy because you can't rush the finishing.

I use a combination joint on the door. Miter for looks on the front side and lap for strength on the back.

Gluing the door together.

A bit of sanding.

The finished door.

Morticing the hinges for the door.

Gluing the base.

Walnut sanding dust really stains your hands.

The various parts are coming together.

A bad picture of a pretty piece of wood. This is the loose fitting back of the clock.

I'm now ready to finally assemble the main body of the clock.

Coon · July 20, 2011, 02:40:12 PM

Looking preet nice there Magic. ;D

Warbird · July 20, 2011, 04:34:26 PM

Wow. Looking forward to seeing the final pics.

SwampDonkey · July 20, 2011, 05:07:00 PM

Hey there MagicMan, you've been holding back on us.

That's coming along very nicely.

My uncle had a grandmother clock carcass built about 30 years ago by a local cabinet maker. The top with the movement has a carcass that slides forward, kind of like a hood. It also has a glassed front door.

Cool project BTW. 8)

Bill Gaiche · July 20, 2011, 06:58:48 PM

MM dont you ever have anything to do? Lookin good on the clock. Keep us posted and have a good trip up north, bg

Magicman · July 20, 2011, 07:16:05 PM

I finished the clock this afternoon.

It will only get low gloss tung oil finish. No stain or glossy polyurethane look.

Nicely figured Walnut.

The back.

It's hard to get a frontal shot with the reflection of the glass and the polished dial.

I just hope that he doesn't call and I get to keep it over the weekend.

Warbird · July 20, 2011, 07:54:53 PM

Beautifully done.

Dodgy Loner · July 20, 2011, 09:57:27 PM

That's beautiful. I know your client will be tickled pink

Bill Gaiche · July 20, 2011, 10:25:36 PM

Very nice MM. I cant think of anyone who would be ticked off at owning one like that. I have never used any of that finish before, need to try it sometime. bg

Left Coast Chris · July 20, 2011, 10:59:14 PM

Very Beautiful MM. How many coats of the Tung Oil did you apply?

Radar67 · July 21, 2011, 01:22:31 AM

That looks good MM. I like using tung oil myself.

SwampDonkey · July 21, 2011, 05:32:22 AM

That's a wonderfully done clock MM. The finish looks great.

WDH · July 21, 2011, 07:08:26 AM

That is a fine piece, MM!

Peter Drouin · July 21, 2011, 07:21:54 AM

Nice job MM 8) 8)

Magicman · July 21, 2011, 08:09:33 AM

Quote from: Left Coast Chris on July 20, 2011, 10:59:14 PM
Very Beautiful MM. How many coats of the Tung Oil did you apply?

Thanks all. I will use 0000 steel wool today and add the second (final) coat of tung oil.

GF · July 21, 2011, 08:45:50 AM

That is a really nice clock, very well done.

GF

Magicman · July 21, 2011, 11:03:42 AM

I hate modifications, but sometimes they are necessary. I noticed last night that the chimes sounded muffled. I normally put a finger hole in the back, but this back was so pretty that I tried it without the hole. Well, this morning it got a hole.

A 1½" finger hole gets drilled through the back.

Yup, it now has a hole.

0000 Steel wool and hand rubbed with a soft cloth eliminates any possibility of any unsightly build up. This was the second and final coat of oil.

Another view of the front at an angle to reduce reflections.

I don't use any fillers or putty to fill any irregularities in the wood or joints. This is handcrafted, if it is there it stays.

OneWithWood · July 21, 2011, 07:50:56 PM

SwampDonkey · July 21, 2011, 08:22:59 PM

Great piece, just think of the hole as the final touches.

Coon · July 22, 2011, 02:05:13 AM

From Magicman to Father Time what's next? ;D :D

Beautiful Job.

metalspinner · July 22, 2011, 01:46:54 PM

Very nice, MM.

At least you noticed the sound issue before your final coat of finish.

Ernie · July 22, 2011, 03:38:04 PM

Looks great MM, a true craftsman.

Magicman · August 04, 2011, 09:21:28 PM

OK, so I wasn't completely honest about who the clock was actually for. It wasn't for a customer, I built it as a gift for Jeff and Tammy.

Jeff · August 04, 2011, 11:09:06 PM

That clock is amazing and was a wonderful surprise. We will be moving some things from the center of our mantle to give it a place where was can admire it for years to come. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Magicman for such a magnificent gift.

fishpharmer · August 04, 2011, 11:56:29 PM

Nicely done. 8)

SwampDonkey · August 05, 2011, 05:13:41 AM

Hey, you old codger!! What a gift. Nice!

WildDog · August 05, 2011, 05:19:46 AM

A worthy gesture and great looking clock there MM

metalspinner · August 05, 2011, 07:47:28 AM

That's a nice surprise. Well, done!

Warbird · August 05, 2011, 12:54:25 PM

Well done, MM.

Lud · August 12, 2011, 06:09:50 AM

Nice clock, nice surprise. 8) Will it help Jeff be on time??

tcsmpsi · August 12, 2011, 06:30:08 AM

A proper gesture, to a proper family in a proper environment. Well done

Jeff · August 12, 2011, 07:49:34 AM

I love that clock already and miss it up here at the cabin. At home, I found myself smiling every time the chimes would gently sound.

SwampDonkey · August 12, 2011, 08:03:34 AM

Yes, I like a mantel clock as well. When I was in Radford, Va area 10 years ago I bought a Howard Miller that is wound by key. It's an eight day clock with Westminister chimes. I also have a tall quartz clock, a Bulova with Westminister chimes to. I like the key wind one the best. No batteries, no power, just good old German clockworks. ;)

Enjoy your clock there Jeff as it'll remind you of a good friend and his great wood craftsmanship.

pineywoods · August 12, 2011, 10:38:11 AM

I'd like to add a bit to this thread. That ain't Jeff's clock, it's Tammy's ;D. I was present when Magic presented the clock to Jeff. He said, this is yours to do with as you see fit, keep it, use it as a door prize, auction it off, whatever. Tammy grabbed the clock, wrapped her arms around it and said, "This clock is not going anywhere, It's MINE". Maybe she will let Jeff wind it ;D A fitting tribute to a fine couple, and a perfect example of the kind of folks who hang around here. The clock is just the tip of an iceberg. You'd be surprised (well maybe not) to learn of some of the other projects Magicman and Magicwoman have been involved in.

pigman · August 12, 2011, 12:49:33 PM

Quoteuse it as a door prize

That was my suggestion. ;D I thought we all should vote on what to do with the clock, but Tammy said that only her vote would be counted. :(

clww · September 05, 2011, 03:04:39 PM

Awesome clock and gift for Tammy and Jeff, Lynn! 8)

Jeff · September 05, 2011, 03:36:02 PM

I'm spending a lot of time up here at our property in the U.P., and one of the things I miss most about home other then Tammy and the kids and Icey and scooter, is that clock. I smile every time it chimes.

Jeff · December 06, 2017, 09:56:14 AM

Hickory Dickory Dock.

I noticed this morning my clock did not chime. I went to check it and saw it had stopped around 5am this morning, and was just making a clicking sound. I think this battery has been in there at least 2 years, possibly 3. The clock sits on top of my bookcase, next to the dividing wall of my office area. I can remember the last time I opened the clock. I had noticed it had quit chiming, and as it turned out, the adult child that was staying with us at the time had turned the chime off because it irritated them. To bad. I turned the chime back on and put a note in there.
So back to today. I got a new battery and opened up the clock. My note was still there, but I found a surprise that was added soon after I put the note in there.
I had had a squatter! He had a chance to build his house on my property but never moved it. I had spotted him running on the wall and saw him when he dived into my old forest service field radio. I just took the radio out side and shook him out, then went back in and ran a trap line. I'm sure this was at least 2 years ago as well

Magicman · December 06, 2017, 11:46:50 AM

It gave me an opportunity to re-read this old topic. Made me smile!

Then sadly you also notice those FF members that are absent or no longer with us. :-\

SwampDonkey · December 06, 2017, 12:04:11 PM

Wow, where did six and a half years go Jeff? :

At Christmas my mantle clock seems to disappear into the closet for ornament space. That ain't going to happen in Royalton. I made mention of Christmas stuff being delegated to the porch.

:D My uncle always wound his grandmother clock during Christmas, so this clock in the closet thing ain't right with me. :D