Solaris Wooden Clock

This hand-made clock was designed by Clayton Boyer and hand-made by Adrian Iredale. See Clayton’s clocks at: lisaboyer.com

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25 Responses to Solaris Wooden Clock

  1. adrianiredale says:

    @haro1994 Congratulations on your achievement. You can count yourself among a handfull of people who can say they have made a wooden clock. I’d love to see it – why not post a video on YouTube?

  2. haro1994 says:

    Very interesting clock! I am 15 and I have build one wooden clock. The process in building it was one of the most stressful things I have ever done in my life. I guess the thing that made it so stressful was the fact that it takes so long and everything has to be darn near perfect for your clock to run smoothly! By the way great job!!

  3. adrianiredale says:

    Most of Clayton’s clocks (and mine) need winding once per day. This is because of the size required of the mechanism to be made from wood.

  4. Yakumo9275 says:

    Adrian, how long do you get on each winding? I’m thinking of getting the plans but most wooden clocks I’ve checked out only run for 25odd hours per winding.. whats this one get?

  5. adrianiredale says:

    The clock is driven by the weights hanging from either side. This drives the mechanism and the escape wheel, which gives the pendulum a push each time it swings.

  6. Prazape says:

    How the pendulum get energy to move?

  7. Flinklehurst says:

    If I could change the world
    Would it be enough
    To see you here beside me?
    If I could bend the world
    Would there be enough
    Of you to still content me?
    Oh doop oop dum dee dum
    Doooooo

  8. adrianiredale says:

    You will see from my “How to” video that you can true your wheel after cutting the teeth. However, I only do this on the Escape wheel as this is the only wheel where it has to be perfect. The other wheels can tollerate a little bit of error. The escape wheel on the Solaris is that spider-looking wheel, and it should be trued after cutting.

  9. janedoe1024 says:

    Adrian,
    I’m seriously considering building this or “Simplicity”. One thing that concerns me about cutting gears is that you first do the arbor shaft hole on the drill press then move to the bandsaw to cut the teeth profile (as per your great videos on construction). What about the teeth profile (as whole) not being concentric with the center hole? Since you’re doing these steps by eye you’d be off by say, .010″ or so, no?

  10. adrianiredale says:

    Yes – you do need to be totally accurate. But ply is cheap, so if you make a mistake, its only time … See my video ‘wooden clock wheel cutting”. Also see Clayton’s Frequently Asked Questions for some helpful hints.

    I had no skill when I started. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of it.

    Good luck…….

  11. usmcculp says:

    I have the plans for this clock, but am nervous to start cutting. How accurate do you have to be with the gears, can slight mistakes be tolorated, or do the teeth have to be spot on. Is there any tolerance?

  12. adrianiredale says:

    Mate,

    I sympathise. I’m 55, and have only recently been able to purchase my stuff … Hope it isn’t that long for you. The trick is to get your mum or dad enthused so THEY buy all the hardware.

  13. DAKOTA56777 says:

    I DO want to but don’t have band or sroll saw as I’m only 14

  14. adrianiredale says:

    Mate,

    I COULD make the Model T, but I thought I should leave it for you to make. Go on – you know you want to ….

  15. DAKOTA56777 says:

    Hey can you make the Model T it’s my second favorite clock.

  16. DAKOTA56777 says:

    solaris is my farorite clock from clayton.

  17. i3ds says:

    Very impressive work, looks amazing!

    Jon

  18. Memberotto says:

    That is cool! I bet you could make money out of them :)

  19. 1viva says:

    wow, incredibly ingenious!. Congratulations!

  20. adrianiredale says:

    Excellent – I look forward to your video. Its always great to see the results of other people’s creativity.

  21. aa6757 says:

    Thanks for posting this video, among others. They are all very good. I started on my own variation of this design this week. I don’t know how it will turn out. I”ll post up my first progress video soon.

  22. seanvolt says:

    I also believe the music is pointless. Trying to listen to the clock in the middle of all those drums is not very effective…

  23. adrianiredale says:

    The weights are made from wooden disks that are then glued together. The disks are made by using a flrstner drill bit to drill the large holes, then I cut the disks out. the top and bottom disks are not drilled all the way through. The hollow of the finished weight tube is filled with lead.

  24. DanielScottLipe says:

    how did you make the weights?

  25. adrianiredale says:

    I use my bandsaw a lot as my scroll saw is not very good quality. There is no reason why you can’t use a scroll saw for all your work – its just a bit slower than the bandsaw for some bits of the work.

    Adrian