In the early 1800s a number of American clock makers were producing shelf or mantel clocks in which the movement was made from wood. Gear wheels were shaped from hardwood such as cherry and carefully fitted to run smoothly. Some of these clocks have survived for 200 years or so and are today valuable antiques which sell for thousands of dollars when they come on the market. The average collector can't afford to buy them of course but there are modern reproductions available, mostly in the form of kits and plans.
Even earlier in the 1700s, tall case grandfather clocks with wooden works were being made by many clockmakers.The tall case left room for the weights which drive the clock to fall further so that the clock would run longer before needing to have the weights raised to the top again.
Building a wooden gear clock takes time and care in the workmanship but it is not really difficult to produce a good working clock. The average home crafter with some wood working skills can do it with simple hand tools just as the early clock makers did. The clock will be a family heirloom which will be passed proudly down through the generations.
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has on display a rare and beautiful wooden gear shelf clock which was made in the early 1800s. This fine clock is still in running order after 200 years. It has been carefully measured and detailed drawings made. These plans with complete building instructions are available for purchase. They show complete details of all the working parts and how they fit together. Detailed drawings of the clock case are also shown including every part of the original antique clock.
Building wooden gear clocks is a great hobby for the craftsman, and anyone can be a craftsman; it only takes careful work.This is not the type of project which can be completed in a few evenings. Rather it is a project for the person who takes great pride in the quality of their work and will spend whatever time is necessary to do a perfect job.The individual parts of such a clock are of very simple design and quite easy to make. The skill comes in finishing each part accurately and making a clock which runs smoothly and thus keeps good time.
To summarise, building a wooden gear clock is perfectly within the ability of almost anyone. It is hard to tell a well made copy of an antique clock from a genuine antique at a quick look. Close inspection by an expert will, of course, show the new wood and materials used to build it establishing its origin beyond doubt. But for the craftsman who made it and for all who see and admire it the clock is a thing of beauty which will tick tock proudly in the home for a lifetime and probably many years after that while keeping good time.
