Make Your Own Working Paper Clock
by James Rudloph
ISBN13: 9780060910662
ISBN10: 0060910666
Well, this one has certainly been a major departure for me. (chuckle).
The book itself is good quality hard stock and this kit needs it. (I won't classify this one as a model since it is supposed to provide a functional clock upon completion.)
I initially found the instructions to be a bit vague and confusing but after the first few steps I adjusted to the style and it actually began to fall into place. If you can make square tubes and round cylinders you shouldn't have too much trouble. I would suggest that when you build the motor gear (Largest gear in the clock) you come up with some type of jig to ensure the top and bottom sections are perfectly aligned before you start gluing on the 72 (yes, Seventy-Two) teeth. Aside from that it's a matter of simply taking your time.
Now that the clock is assembled I am finding a thing or two I will be changing;
Primarily, the clock only runs while the pendulum has motion (About two minutes at a time - no pun).
I'm going to experiment with various weights in the pendulum and/or stiffening the pendulum arm to obtain a continous run time until the clock needs rewinding.
I will add that it does make a slightly muffled yet still pleasant "tick-tock" as it runs.
All in all I did have fun building it and if you've been thinking about this model by all means go for it!
