Wooden Gear Clock

[berry]

I've never made anything with wooden gears so I thought I try a clock. The idea of using plywood and a weight to tell time is intriging to me.

Right off the bat I have a couple issues. For the weight the magazine I'm following suggests a capped section of copper pipe with lead shot for weight. I need 7 pounds to power the clock. I went to Fleet Farm, who has a hugh fishing/hunting department but all I could find were shells. Where could I go for shot or is there a substitute?

Second, the stores I've been in won't sell copper pipe unless I purchase 10'. At the price of copper that's prohibitive. (I only need 12" of 1 1/2" and 12" of 1/2") What other materials could I use? I can't imagine either steel or PVC pipe being very attractive even if painted.

Thanks for reading this and I look forward to your ideas and suggestions.

[benush26]

I've never made anything with wooden gears so I thought I try a clock. The idea of using plywood and a weight to tell time is intriging to me.

Right off the bat I have a couple issues. For the weight the magazine I'm following suggests a capped section of copper pipe with lead shot for weight. I need 7 pounds to power the clock. I went to Fleet Farm, who has a hugh fishing/hunting department but all I could find were shells. Where could I go for shot or is there a substitute?

Second, the stores I've been in won't sell copper pipe unless I purchase 10'. At the price of copper that's prohibitive. (I only need 12" of 1 1/2" and 12" of 1/2") What other materials could I use? I can't imagine either steel or PVC pipe being very attractive even if painted.

Thanks for reading this and I look forward to your ideas and suggestions.

Any store that has reloading equipment should have steel shot in a bag. Check the yellow pages or an Internet search near you.

Do you have a recycling shop near you? I would guess that you can find a short length of copper pipe there.

Steel pipe could be pained to look like copper (though without the patina), using Rustoleum. Lots of varieties and finishes.

If you really wanted to look rustic, you could get sheets of metal, form then into tubes around wooden dowels and then rivet or blind glue OR if you want to carry on the wood theme, hollow out pieces to wood (let their shape be of your imagination) and fill those with steel shot.

[friscomike]

Howdy,

I built a wooden clock about 40 years ago and used large smooth river stones for the weights. The wires were tied on the stones as you would when wrapping a present. Finally, I wrapped the wire around the circumference of the stone until it formed a loop to connect to the rope powering the mechanism.

You might try rusting some iron plumbing pipe instead of using copper. It will have lots of character.

Best,
Mike

[JPG]

The container matters not. Tis the weight that matters. What ever 'turns ya on'.

How about a way tube? About 8.5 #.

[Jack Wilson]

You could use the weights the use to balance tires. If you went to your local garage, they usually have old ones lying around.

[apexsunguitars]

you could melt down old lead fishing weights or tire weights and recst them into a cool shape pretty easily, i used to make toy soldiers this way. They shine up pretty well after being heated too.

[charlese]

you could melt down old lead fishing weights or tire weights and recast them into a cool shape pretty easily, i used to make toy soldiers this way. They shine up pretty well after being heated too.

Problem - They don't make lead wheel weights anymore. Can only find them on old cars.

Goodness, I should have died years ago because I also used to make lead soldiers and Phosphorous bombs to blow them up along with lead cars and tanks. Don't get scared! A phosphorous bomb is made with match heads and empty 22 shells.

P.S. You might be able to find some lead if you can find older roof soil stack jacks.

[jtevans]

I've never made anything with wooden gears so I thought I try a clock. The idea of using plywood and a weight to tell time is intriging to me.

Right off the bat I have a couple issues. For the weight the magazine I'm following suggests a capped section of copper pipe with lead shot for weight. I need 7 pounds to power the clock. I went to Fleet Farm, who has a hugh fishing/hunting department but all I could find were shells. Where could I go for shot or is there a substitute?

Second, the stores I've been in won't sell copper pipe unless I purchase 10'. At the price of copper that's prohibitive. (I only need 12" of 1 1/2" and 12" of 1/2") What other materials could I use? I can't imagine either steel or PVC pipe being very attractive even if painted.

Thanks for reading this and I look forward to your ideas and suggestions.

I have about 300-lbs. of lead weights if you really, really need it. I reload ammunition, and cast bullets for large caliber rifles. Seven-pounds can be put into an "if-it-fits, it-ships" box and sent for $5.10 postage, if that's what you want. But any good sporting goods store that sells reloading supplies, (gun powder, reloading dies, bullets, rifle brass, blackpowder supplies), will have lead shot, but it is in 25-pound bags...usually they have it in 7 1/2 or 8-shot sizes, which should be perfect for filling a pipe.

[jtevans]

Problem - They don't make lead wheel weights anymore. Can only find them on old cars.

Goodness, I should have died years ago because I also used to make lead soldiers and Phosphorous bombs to blow them up along with lead cars and tanks. Don't get scared! A phosphorous bomb is made with match heads and empty 22 shells.

P.S. You might be able to find some lead if you can find older roof soil stack jacks.

They do still make lead weights, only now they are flat pieces, in 1/2-ounce sizes, in a strip, that they glue to the back sides of magnesium wheels, and aluminum alloy wheels. I have some in my shop right now, and could provide pictures if wanted...the glue on the backs makes a real mess when they are melted down...and stinks like asphalt pavement.