With the display cases I have been building for the antique gravity clocks, it has caused a lot of people to inquire about what is a gravity clock? 

 

I made a short video to share what a gravity clock is and how it works. 

 

 

Here are some of the display cases I have made for the gravity clocks. I have a tall and a short version. 

 

 

Edited April 29, 20169 yr by Todd Clippinger

Nicely done. Beautiful cases.

Todd, that is really a cool clock and of course the cases are gorgeous. I love the gravity clock concept, how long has it been around? I can imagine it's an old world concept right?

7 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Todd, that is really a cool clock and of course the cases are gorgeous. I love the gravity clock concept, how long has it been around? I can imagine it's an old world concept right?

The gravity clock I show in the video is just one form of time keeping device that relies on gravity. Gravity clocks are pretty much the original clocks other than tracking the sun. Even a water drip or clock that uses marbles running down a ramp to advance gearing are types of gravity clocks. 

Neat clock!

 

Thanks guys. It has been fun developing a design that was appropriate in style for the clock cases.

 

There are a lot of small parts and there is more labor in them than you would think. 

 

 

Todd, where can one buy the clock works?

Just now, Ron Dudelston said:

Todd, where can one buy the clock works?

They are antiques and my client buys them online. He buys antique clocks all the time, fixes, trades, and sells them. 

 

There are online forums and groups of people that are into antique clocks just like any other special interest group. 

 

If you are interested I can ask him which ones he recommends. I am working with him on a clock that rolls down a ramp. He needs a new ramp about 15' long so the clock can run all week. 

Sure, if you think about it, please ask. I didn't know if Klockit had the works or not.   

Just now, Ron Dudelston said:

Sure, if you think about it, please ask. I didn't know if Klockit had the works or not.   

Steve (the client) told me that this particular type of clock was very popular and there are a lot of them out there and they are not terribly expensive. But I am not sure what that actually means.

 

I have not been on Klockit to look but there might be a modern version of it. 

 

This guy is a mechanical genius and appreciates the engineering and precision that goes into the movements. That is why he loves them so much. 

 

He likes my work and so he has had me make display shelves and display cases. He caught me early in my career when I was mostly doing framing and building decks. I built a deck around 2 sides of his house. Now I have some high-end work inside. 

 

Sounds like a match made in heaven Todd.  

Hi Todd,

Ok I get that the clock slides down the gear or whatever, but how does it get back to the top? Do you physically have to move it Is it done on is own? I guess I need to google gravity clocks eh?

12 hours ago, Charles Nicholls said:

Hi Todd,

Ok I get that the clock slides down the gear or whatever, but how does it get back to the top? Do you physically have to move it Is it done on is own? I guess I need to google gravity clocks eh?

Aha! Thus the one draw back Charles, I can only imagine it must have to be moved back up by hand! So back in the old days, they probably had a town clock keeper to make sure that sucker stayed in motion, or someone may be celebrating their b-day on the wrong day eventually!

So how about a private residence back in the day, I doubt they had their own time keeper to move it back up when needed. Hmmm.

18 hours ago, Todd Clippinger said:

The gravity clock I show in the video is just one form of time keeping device that relies on gravity. Gravity clocks are pretty much the original clocks other than tracking the sun. Even a water drip or clock that uses marbles running down a ramp to advance gearing are types of gravity clocks. 

Thanks for the info Todd, this is a very interesting project. Chalk it up on my todo list!

6 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Aha! Thus the one draw back Charles, I can only imagine it must have to be moved back up by hand! So back in the old days, they probably had a town clock keeper to make sure that sucker stayed in motion, or someone may be celebrating their b-day on the wrong day eventually!

So how about a private residence back in the day, I doubt they had their own time keeper to move it back up when needed. Hmmm.

Yea John, not something I would want to be doing daily or whatever.

50 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Aha! Thus the one draw back Charles, I can only imagine it must have to be moved back up by hand! So back in the old days, they probably had a town clock keeper to make sure that sucker stayed in motion, or someone may be celebrating their b-day on the wrong day eventually!

So how about a private residence back in the day, I doubt they had their own time keeper to move it back up when needed. Hmmm.

Yes, the clocks have to be pulled to the top manually. 

 

The smaller display case houses a bar long enough for the clock to run about 3-1/2 days. The taller clock case allows for a gear long enough for the clock to run a full week. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Todd Clippinger said:

Yes, the clocks have to be pulled to the top manually. 

The smaller display case houses a bar long enough for the clock to run about 3-1/2 days. The taller clock case allows for a gear long enough for the clock to run a full week. 

That does not seem that inconvenient now Todd, I could handle 3 days to a week. We are never gone from home more than week anyways!