Buchanan
Buchanan
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2012
- Messages
- 196
- Reaction score
- 275
Shopgeezer :
My client is a highly intelligent and knowledgeable clock collector, here is his description of what he wanted. Quote:
On the cover of the October 2003 issue of Horological Journal was a beautiful great-wheel skeleton clock by the firm Buchanan. I was interested to see if the firm was looking to sell this clock. After some discussion it was learned that this company was looking to have specialty commissions. Both I and a friend of mine were interested in hiring the firm and it was decided that he would initiate the first commission. That has since been completed and was featured in the April 2006 issue of Horological Journal - a magnificent wall hanging regulator featuring dual counter swinging pendulums and movements based on Breguet's famous design, but including a unique escapement and remontoire system.
I wanted my commission to be unusual and unlike anything built before. My three guiding principals for the clock were that it had to have scale (an imposing presence), movement (many things happening to catch the eye) and complexity. Of course it had to look beautiful incorporating all the basics of good design and fabrication techniques as demonstrated by the master clock makers of the 18th - 19th centuries. All to maximize visual impact. What you see here is a full scale mockup done in wood of what has now begun to be manufactured in metal. The overall size of the movement is 24"w x 29"h x 18"d. With the stand and case 36"w x 77" h x 24" d. Including the weights it's mass will be about 600-700 lb. No expense has been spared in the design. It is my belief that this firm is possibly unique in it's ability to build such a challenging project and to apply the high standards expected for such a monumental effort.
You can see a lot more here at his website. http://www.my-time-machines.net/my_current_project3.htm
We had many discussions and I was sent many photographs of other clocks that had mechanisms or styles that he wanted incorporated. He also sent sketches of possible layouts.
Buchanan then had to produce a set of pencil and paper drawings in 2D of the presupposed design. Then we built a mock-up in wood and plastic. I sent this mock up to Chicago for his approval.
All the mechanical design is done in house,on a traditional drafting board. Only recently have I started to use 2D cad.(Draftsite) My client will follow the whole design procedure and often will have input in details of construction or suggest ideas that can be incorporated.
Pertha.
CZ 121 leaded engraving brass by choice or CZ121 drawn bar. I very rarely lap anything , as you say , there is danger if embedded abrasive ,but often use a burnisher to 'compact' the surface finish on a high tolerance finish. Sharp smooth tools produce an almost polished finish that can be controlled to 1/100 mm easily. Attention to corner radius's and sharp corners are important. Good tools are a great help.
Jewels and ball races are used for almost all rubbing surfaces.
As for the Antikythera mechanism, that is another story altogether. You are not even sure what it actually should be! The detective work is more than the construction. I don't know where iwould even start on that.
My client is a highly intelligent and knowledgeable clock collector, here is his description of what he wanted. Quote:
On the cover of the October 2003 issue of Horological Journal was a beautiful great-wheel skeleton clock by the firm Buchanan. I was interested to see if the firm was looking to sell this clock. After some discussion it was learned that this company was looking to have specialty commissions. Both I and a friend of mine were interested in hiring the firm and it was decided that he would initiate the first commission. That has since been completed and was featured in the April 2006 issue of Horological Journal - a magnificent wall hanging regulator featuring dual counter swinging pendulums and movements based on Breguet's famous design, but including a unique escapement and remontoire system.
I wanted my commission to be unusual and unlike anything built before. My three guiding principals for the clock were that it had to have scale (an imposing presence), movement (many things happening to catch the eye) and complexity. Of course it had to look beautiful incorporating all the basics of good design and fabrication techniques as demonstrated by the master clock makers of the 18th - 19th centuries. All to maximize visual impact. What you see here is a full scale mockup done in wood of what has now begun to be manufactured in metal. The overall size of the movement is 24"w x 29"h x 18"d. With the stand and case 36"w x 77" h x 24" d. Including the weights it's mass will be about 600-700 lb. No expense has been spared in the design. It is my belief that this firm is possibly unique in it's ability to build such a challenging project and to apply the high standards expected for such a monumental effort.
You can see a lot more here at his website. http://www.my-time-machines.net/my_current_project3.htm
We had many discussions and I was sent many photographs of other clocks that had mechanisms or styles that he wanted incorporated. He also sent sketches of possible layouts.
Buchanan then had to produce a set of pencil and paper drawings in 2D of the presupposed design. Then we built a mock-up in wood and plastic. I sent this mock up to Chicago for his approval.
All the mechanical design is done in house,on a traditional drafting board. Only recently have I started to use 2D cad.(Draftsite) My client will follow the whole design procedure and often will have input in details of construction or suggest ideas that can be incorporated.
Pertha.
CZ 121 leaded engraving brass by choice or CZ121 drawn bar. I very rarely lap anything , as you say , there is danger if embedded abrasive ,but often use a burnisher to 'compact' the surface finish on a high tolerance finish. Sharp smooth tools produce an almost polished finish that can be controlled to 1/100 mm easily. Attention to corner radius's and sharp corners are important. Good tools are a great help.
Jewels and ball races are used for almost all rubbing surfaces.
As for the Antikythera mechanism, that is another story altogether. You are not even sure what it actually should be! The detective work is more than the construction. I don't know where iwould even start on that.
