We can undertake a variety of clock related projects:

Current Project Description - G1:

Harrison is one of the best known clock makers, made famous by his longitude solving suite of clocks and his final “watch” that won him the Longitude Prize.

What is less well known is his history of innovation that lead him to his prize. I have been long fascinated by his ingenuity and wished to embody some of his ideas into a modern interpretation of a highly accurate weight driven wall clock.

Key Harrison Innovations:

• Application of rolling element bearings (ball races for all rotating parts)
• Grass Hopper escapement (no rubbing surfaces for excellent longevity and resistance to the effects of oil viscosity)
• rolling pinions - see below (much reduced friction)
• Extensive use of wood - it is a great material with low coefficient of thermal expansion, however, you have to know how to use it - Harrison was an expert carpenter by trade, before clock making
• Grid-iron pendulum - near perfect thermal compensation - albeit via a quite cumbersome approach
• No oil! How is this possible? Using mechanisms that do not rub - Grass hopper escapement, rolling element bearings and special woods with “solid lubricant” built in like ligum vitae.

He really was an amazing gentleman. Take a look in the links section for more information.

Design Process:

The G1 clock takes these principles and applies them in a modern design. Key features present include:

• Grass hopper escapement, positioned so the fascinating mechanism can be seen
• Roller pinions
• Oak wheels with the grain aligned with the maximum stress direction (teeth made in segments)
• Stainless steel ball races for all main bearings, dry lubricated with PTFE power (no oil required)
• Ply used for the main frames
• 120 second escape wheel (one turn every two minutes) reduces the gear ratios required so further reducing friction
• Low teeth count to maximise visual impact and make roller pinions possible (not so good for smooth running - although, all teeth-forms have been mathematically generated and the tooling CNC made to give the very best accuracy and minimal backlash that can be achieved in a small workshop.

Take a look at the designs and parts and let me know what you think. It is taking a long time to get together, but it is making progress! Maybe another few years and it will be running.