I got to thinking the other day (usually my first mistake), instead of spending $800 or more for the mechanics and pendulums for a tall clock, why not buy a used factory made grandfather clock and gut the works out of it? They seem to be selling for under $300 around here on Craig’s List. Are these workings decent? Anyone know??
Thanks!
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Be careful, and be aware, and you might be able to save some money.
Aware...... that there are only a couple of brand names of movements that seem to command the "high quality" market.
Careful..... is this older clock one that has been in a home that reeks of ammonia from pets, or has been in a rumbly shack next to the railroad? Is it old enough that it might be showing wear where you can't see it (like on gear shafts and bushings)? How will you know the difference?
And here's my last thought......... In general, the "parts" portion of a project is a small portion of the selling price (if you will be selling). Your labor is likely to be 60 to 80% of the final $$. Do you want to take the chance on quality, only to save half of that last 30%?
Or do you want your products to be the absolute best that they can be?
Ya know since I was a youngster and began to really like woodworking in shop class, one of my goals was to build a fine time piece like you describe. I've even gotten the catalogs with the expensive movements and dreamed. I still plan on doing one, but I just can't imagine investing all that labor fine lumber glass and skimp on the hardware. It be like building a great piece and putting cheap hinges and knobs on it, thats all that would be seen. If you know the models of fine time pieces and brands of movements then it might work, but you also might get a pig in a poke as my dad would say and end up with a repair bill as great as cost of a new set. Secondly, if you do find a real fine movement in a clock, it might be better to restore rather than destroy the piece. I have my father-in-law's railroad clock that is really old and has not worked in years, but love it for what it is (history) and respect it. Besides, its right twice a day! What ever you do and build post pic's here I love grandfather clocks and you don't see them much anymore. Good luck on the quest!
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Yes you could but you need to watch for a few things. First will it fit in the case you have; not all tall clock works are the same size. Second how old is the used clock and has it been maintained. If you plan on building a clock case from scratch then you’ll need to design around the works. Also you may want to take the used works to get it cleaned and checked out. In all it could be cheaper to buy new depending on the features you want the price will vary. But you could save yourself some money and also start a new hobby by becoming a horological ham, because if you buy a used tall clock you will surely have many opportunities to work on it over the coming years.
I inherited two antique clocks just recently, one a mid 19th century Black Forest Cuckoo clock and the other a late 19th century Christmas tree clock. Both need the clock works cleaned and the cases need some work. I have taken it upon myself to learn the skills of the horological ham and will attempt to do the work myself. Time will tell if I succeed, no pun intended.
Edited 5/5/2009 4:09 pm ET by dustymctevish
Geppetto
You have a decision: buy new high quality works or try to find good works in an older piece. Either way.. get the works first and then build the clock around it. Don't build a case and "scab in the works" as an after thought. Clocks are fun but remembering to wind them up and listening to that big boy chime makes me think about time a whole lot more than I did before I had a tall clock.
dan
Thanks everyone, you gave me some pause for contemplation. I'm going to be making two tall clocks, nothing fancy, more shaker style. Keeping one and selling one. Thanks again!
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