Horological Society Shop

[clockworkcheval]

The heyday of conventional machining sees a daily revival in the common workshop of our horological society 'Klokkengroep 's-Hertogenbosch' in The Netherlands. Many of our members prefer a shaper over a mill, and some members believe that using a lathe can come in handy, but all other work should be done by filing. Recently a small group caused a subdued uproar by selecting waterjet cutting to machine the blanks of steel gearwheels of a mediaeval clock. A side benefit is that our subcontractor publicized a short case story about it. They did some kneading and weeding to our submitted story, and sprinkled it with some commercial wording, but the result gives a nice impression of our work and workshop: https://xometry.pro/en-eu/stories/horological-society-barentsz-clock .

 

[lathe nut]

clockworkcheval​

I find clock work so fastening, for several years wanted to get into it but the job I had required long hours and to add to that pain it was a 24 hour call, I have retired still have the love to want to learn clock repair, but find it hard and not sure where to look to learn, I have a very good mechanical mind that is one plus for me, I go to yard sales, garage sales, estate sales and have picked up several old clocks, so have a start on at least some to try to fix, I admire you people who work on them, I love attention to detail and that is a must in the profession, don't want to bother with question and just might point me in a direction of where to start and parts, I have three shapers, 7" Atlas and Southbend and 24" Cincinnati, I make several things on the, love to sit and make the parts with the neat sound they make, again admire you people, thanks, Joe

 

[clockworkcheval]

Thank you for the kind words, Joe. Two of the very best books on horology in my opinion are 'Practical Benchwork for Horologists' By Louis and Samuel Levin and 'The Clock and Watchmakers Guide to Gear Making... "and other machines" " by Robert D. Porter. While there are many interesting European books on the subject, these two American Books excel in practical usefulness. You seem to be well-equipped with machinetools, but for clockwork you may want to consider a small high speed lathe for the finnicky components. Once again American small lathes excel above European and Asian in practical precision for a good price. Levin still manufactures small very high precision lathes but these might be above budget for the regular amateur. Uselful and affordable are TAIG and Sherline. Make sure you provide a high speed capability for them up to 20.000 revs.

 

[lathe nut]

clockworkcheval​

Credit and Respect where it is due, thanks for the tips on the books, I will probably not do for anyone only for the ones I have but may turn into more but for now my plate is full, I sell scrap, mechanic most on lawn mower at my shop, tractors and machine work but in the small lathes, I have several small Atlas, a unimat with all the attachments,

 

[lathe nut]

@clockworkcheval​

This is the unimat, I bought it at a yard sale of garage sale, not sure what you call them over there but it when dad pass away the kids sell everything, not knowing the value of anything, I bought it for $50.00 dollars, it come with two more boxes of attachments and extra tooling this should work what do you think, thanks for your time, Joe

 

[clockworkcheval]

Hi Joe, excellent buy and it looks like it is in good condition. Out of the estate of a good friend of mine I prepared such a machine for his grandson. Good general purpose for smaller parts. Not the first choice for horological components. For example to turn the steel taps on a clock shaft of dia 2 mm to a good surface finish with an HSS tool you want 8.000 revs and a good stifness. The Emco Unimat doesn't do that, TAIG or Sherline do. You could set it up as a second operation to burnish at lower speeds finished taps to greater smoothness.