Cutting the slots with the biscuit machine and I had forgot to reset the depth for it was set for # 10 biscuits and I had run out and only had #20 in the shop...got to the lumber yard right at closing time and stuck my foot in the door as he was locking up and told him I ain't leaving cause you got most of my shoe on your side so sell me some biscuits and I will take both shoes and go home... I had already put glue in nine slots and tried my best to squeeze some # 20 ies in a # 10 hole and that just don't work too good. I did manage to find 9 biscuits for the two pieces I already had glue spread everywhere and for sure didn't want to ruin two 36" pieces of maple.......    I usually dry fit those things cause some brands ain't worth a flip but was in a hurry cause maw was telling me to come eat or else she was gonna throw it away....

   Anyway I got the 4 pieces glued up with 27 biscuits and this morning finished smoothing them and got the pattern on and by dark tonight I had all the pieces cut out...

   .Hardest, lop sided, partially not all there but I did manage to add lib I guess thats the word for it and all the white area was not part of the original pattern when I started laying it out....I don't have a clue as to how it will turn out but I cut it up in to about 12 pieces for it makes it easier  to hold on to while the dremel  is doing its thing...

 

It was way too big for the scroll saw so the jig saw got a working out. Hardest work I have done in a long time for maple is awfully heavy.

  I set that clock dial up there to convince myself I can correct what the original photo made it look like..

Speaking of biscuits Jess, I got a can last week from Harbor Freight.  They are just a tad thick.  Most biscuits I can place by finger pressure; on these, most had to be tapped in with a mallet.  I hope that the glue does not cause them to swell so much that it is evident on the surface.  Time will tell.

 

It does look like you have a fine start to another heirloom!

Well, it looks good in the picture!

Agree with Lew, looks good from where I sit in Indiana

Well, Dave. I'm closer to Jesse, and it still looks good up close, too.

Turning it around from the original picture makes a better looking piece, IMHO.

Cal if the biscuits are too tight put them in the oven for a while and get em hot right before you use em. I couldn't wait that long after I found out I had cut slots for 10's in the shop so I had to put them up against a disk grinder to shrink em. I've been experimenting with biscuits and the amount of glue it takes to fill all the cavity with glue.. Abd there at first about half of the slots needed much more glue so I have increased my thinking, not sure if it will help but there is no use going to the trouble using biscuits if it ain't done right....

 

Gene I think you tried to post an upside down shot of the clock picture . I didn't get any picture just  hen pecking things. So think for giving a shot anyway. No I will go out and turn the clock around and see. Hey maybe even turn one sideways to hang on the wall. but my wall are lacking space to hang anything.

 

 Those biscuits I just bought at the lumber yard seem to be the best made and size for a nice fit of the three brands I been buying. The HF brand are the crudest made with splinters all around the edges. I have used the Porter Cable brand,, some too loose and some have to be put in the oven. The Ryobi brand are almost like the HF as they are ruff around the edges.

   Gene, you are right. I just went out and turned the clock around and I think it does look better.. But after I pull the pattern off things might be different.

 

 There are still lots of light grey areas which means these were areas cut out and not used in the original pattern..these are what I will be doing away with next....before I pull the pattern.
The white areas are what I added to be turned into curly cues where there was too much areas that needed something to complete the looks of a completed clock...

  After I pull off the pattern I will add more wood to the top in different areas  for more wild swings of a leaf and add a few flowers here and there which I don't think there are any at all.... Way back when I don't think clocks had flowers, must have been something signifying feminine touches which the mighty man  wanted to keep separated....

  These clocks or things like that take a lot of thinking is what the doctor has suggested to keep the brain active.  I don't know if anyone else does Free Cell like I do... I started years ago with # 1 and have not moved on to the next number till I work it . I keep the time it too to finish that one then go to the next...Some I have had to go back time and time again but never completely give up on solving each number.. It is more of a pain having to type in each number but hey, 

 

1 hour ago, Smallpatch said:

Cal if the biscuits are too tight put them in the oven for a while and get em hot right before you use eat em.

I thought you always put biscuits in the oven right before you used them?

I forgot to mention Woofcraft is the name of the biscuits from the lumber yard..They all fit just right, this time??

 

Dave I have eaten some biscuits when we first got married that would have made great woodworking material. But its best to keep a low voice about it...

That name should have been Wolfcraft. Too late to edit it when I finally re read it.

4 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

Dave I have eaten some biscuits when we first got married that would have made great woodworking material. But its best to keep a low voice about it...

Lots of sausage gravy sometimes helps, but yep know what you mean about being quiet.

 

I have several packages of the Wolfcraft biscuits and haven't had any issues with them either. I bought some of the mat a Flea market then found several more at our local Habitat for Humanity Restore. I think I gave 50 cents or a buck/bag. I'm pretty sure Menards used to carry the Wolfcraft line of biscuits. Not sure if they still do or not?  I also bought several DeWalt brand during a closeout at one of our local farm Supply stores...never had an issue of fit with either brands... brands.

Patch - the clock is moving along quite nicely.  It's great to see a master craftsman's work in progress.  Thanks