While I do have a few teaks remaining, for all intends and purposes I am delighted to report that the clock is finished. It has taken me much longer than I had anticipated, but all things considered, I am pleased. To be honest, this is one of those projects that should be done twice...I have no plans to do so, but I learned so much and made so many mistakes during the build, I am confident I could do a better job the second time around. As for the clock, it is made of cherry, and the movement is a Hermle (1171-850). As to the finish I started by applying Danish Oil (Dark Walnut) and then, if you are familiar with Jim Creasman's post about his Queen Anne Desk (Jim is an extraordinary craftsman), I used the products he used (Seal-Lac and Royal Lac) well as followed his schedule. Given the clock's surface complexity I knew I wanted to use products that could be sprayed with my Earlex 5500. I need to also acknowledge the encouragement and support I received from various members of the NCWW group, especially Phil S. Although I have a midi lathe I am by no means a turner. When I initially turned the clock's columns, I sent Phil a pic and hoped he would reply with a "thumbs-up"...instead he suggested that the columns needed a bit more effort. Knowing my turning tool collection is relatively modest, he came by with about a dozen different gouges and skews as well as a training session! I am grateful because what you see is far superior to my initial work! He also created a scratch-stock profile for the inside curve of the glass door.
In the interest of full-disclosure, I must confess that the clock and I had an accident when I was standing on a two-step ladder sanding the top. I am not sure exactly how it happened but all of a sudden the ladder went one way and the clock and I went in other directions! As I was on the floor contemplating what hurt, I realized the clock had fallen. I spent the next 45 minutes trying to fix the damaged areas. When I went to take a shower I realized the I was tracking blood all over our bathroom. To make a long story short, I went to the emergency room and had five stitches put in my right heel! I have be one of the very few people in the history of clock-building that cut their foot while building a clock! As for the clock, it did sustain some damage to the top, but I was able to make passable repairs.
Thank you for looking!
In the interest of full-disclosure, I must confess that the clock and I had an accident when I was standing on a two-step ladder sanding the top. I am not sure exactly how it happened but all of a sudden the ladder went one way and the clock and I went in other directions! As I was on the floor contemplating what hurt, I realized the clock had fallen. I spent the next 45 minutes trying to fix the damaged areas. When I went to take a shower I realized the I was tracking blood all over our bathroom. To make a long story short, I went to the emergency room and had five stitches put in my right heel! I have be one of the very few people in the history of clock-building that cut their foot while building a clock! As for the clock, it did sustain some damage to the top, but I was able to make passable repairs.
Thank you for looking!
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