Electromagnetic Gear clock?

[Rolf]

DSC_8931 (380 x 600).jpg Did anyone build this clock featured in the Gadgets and Gizmos issue?. I am looking for feedback on weather or not anyone has had problems building it.

[Hobbyhorse]

My problem with it was actually getting the circuitry. I enquired of the supplier that was mentioned in the article but was unable to secure one.

[Rolf]

Dick Bipes from the Carve shop is where I got them?. http://www.carveshop.com/html/electronics.html.

He has changed a few things from what was available when I design the changes to this clock. He increased the battery size fro 4 AA to 4 D cells (longer run time) and used a bigger magnet. I have since redesigned the base to accommodate the larger batteries but runs fin with the smaller ones. The design changes will be in the next printing of the clock book.
I just built a mock up of just the pendulum and the electronics to test the different size magnets and batteries with the supplied electronics.
Every combination ran fine. Obviously the bigger batteries would give you a longer run time. I may consider making it so that I could plug in a wall pod 6 Volt supply, but aesthetically I prefer the free standing version.

[Scrappile]

I looked and looked at it and have it on my to do list. I did lots of searching, and had the same problem as Hobbyhorse, and I was a little shocked at the price of the for the parts. I know it was not a lot in the scheme of things, but I was building only for fun and decided I didn't want to invest that much. Seem like I remember making a little electromagnetic motor in some shop class in junior high school. Like wrapping some wire around a nail or something..

I love the look of the clock, think it would be fun to build, and may still do so if I can succeed with the wooden gear clock I am currently working on.

[Hobbyhorse]

Aside from the supply issue, the cost of getting the circuitry to New Zealand was a bit of a surprise and I then found a circuit diagram for a DIY one which I attempted to make up. My skills were not up to the task and I could not get it to work and it now languishes in the "I must get around to that someday" basket.

Dick Bipes did say that he was refining the circuitry and it would soon be available but finally I did not hear back from him.

[Rolf]

When did he say that? I could never get the first circuit I built to work the one I got from the original designer, I later found out neither did the clock designer. That was when I purchased just the PC board from Dick as I had access to all of the components. That worked fine and still is.
It will be interesting to see what Dick comes up with now.

I wish there was some way we could help out or international friends with some of these shipping issues.

[Hobbyhorse]

I was in contact with Dick shortly after the magazine, with the article in it, was first published.

[Sargucci17]

Rolf,
I am very pleased to have found you and this very question. I was building this clock based upon the instructions within the book "Making Wooden Gear Clocks..6 Cool Contraptions That Really Keep Time".

That book contains paper plans which I had scanned and then created DXF files for my CNC and laser. I used the CNC for the larger solid wood components and the laser for the smaller parts and gears. I purchased the electronic control circuit from Carveshop.com but I cannot say whether it works as I have not completed the clock yet. I am having an issue understanding the proper approach to building items K-Back Shim; Item J Tri excentric. Item X Pendulum Bearing Assembly does not appear on the paper drawing but does appear on the exploded Assembly drawing on page 53 in the book. Do you know if the drawing and instruction set that was included in the Gadgets and Gismos magazine are the same as in the book I referenced?

My primary stumbling point was building of parts J and K. The parts list on page 54 describes part J as "Tri excentric" material = brass rod 3/8" by 11/16" long. In the "Presentation" column of the parts list it states "Pattern for End". I don't know what that means.
Am I to drill a 9mm hole in the end of a piece of 3/8" brass rod and offset as in the drawing. If I have that part right, there is no dimension regarding the offset positioning of the hole, so is that not critical?

Hopefully, you can help clear up my confusion and any additional clues would be most appreciated....

Thanks in advance,
Jim Priest

[Rolf]

I have some running around to to this morning but will have a closer look at your questions later. in the mean time I will send you a PM (private message) with my e-mail so that you can contact me directly. It makes it easier for me to send you any additional drawings.

[Sargucci17]

Rolf,
Thank you for getting back with me. I am looking forward to working with you.

[Rolf]

Pendulum mock up.jpg Hi Jim I removed your e-mail from public view. I am looking at your questions today and send you an e-mail with what I hope will help you.
One suggestion I made a simple mock up of the pendulum assembly that includes the bearing support assembly Y,X,Y, YY, W, O, P, and SS. That gave me a chance to get the coil polarity correct and mark which side is up and verify that the pendulum and electronics work correctly. This avoids me having to handle the entire clock assemble excessively.

[Scrappile]

Sargucci17, I hope you will start a thread on your progress on the clock. I have looked at that clock and really want to get time to try it one day. Be very interesting to watch it being built. At least post a finished picture and tell us about it.

[Rolf]

The pedulum bearing assembly YXY is displayed on page 51 of the book. But I see there are dimensions missing? I can't tell you how many times I have proofed this article and still miss things, it drives me nuts. I have attached the drawing with dimensions. The shoulder end should be a snug fit into the frame and glued making sure it is perpendicular to the frame.

[handibunny]

Rolf, don't beat yourself up. It is next to impossible to catch everything, no matter how many eyes are on it. And I don't even write technical stuff,

[bobman]

Has any body apart from Rolf finished the electro magnet clock I am also having a few problems with it thanks,in advance