Parts and jigs to make Exterior Clocks professionally.
Importing large, complete clocks from Europe was far too expensive, even at a time when the Rand was a Rand. We (Clocktime) had sizes from 500 mm to 900 mm diameter.
The 700 mm was the most popular size of exterior clock for schools, public buildings, golf courses… Occasionally we installed the 900 mm type and the 500 mm diameter was a favorite mostly for indoors.
Sandbaai clock near Hermanus
Now, once you go larger than one meter in size, it’s best to do in-wall mounting. Easy enough, if the installation is for a new building. You still have to battle with the builders, they don’t always know the difference between cm and mm.
For this installation in 2007 I had asked for squares in the walls, large enough, so I could compensate for gaps with the wooden frames I fitted. They had to be perfect, as the aluminium clock frames, holding the dials came in the specified size precisely.
All the above models and this square 1.2 meters clocks have cover glasses.
On offer to enterprising clock-makers or hands-on \ practical people: The main item is the 700 mm diameter aluminium spinning die, used for making the popular medium sized exterior wall clocks.
Hello Charl.
It took me a while to get to the edit-part in my site, as I have not worked on it for “ages”. I am not selling my spinning die and other gadgets any more, as nobody has taken up my offer. The problem is that I would have to order about 20 pieces, if “Press Spinning” is prepared to do the job. The problem was that they had to go to “Hesper Engineering” to do the work. Also, good metal – spinners might not be easy to engage.
I have thought of sqare to multy sided casings in metal, if that other company still can do it.
For your projects, your dad as a specialist woodworker might be the ideal solution.
As soon as I have more information about heavy-duty battery movements I will mail you details. The normal clock movements will carry hands for clock diameters of about 350 mm. I hope to obtain suitable movements which can be used for 500mm diameter, maybe even more with some modifications I have done with a miniature ball-bearing on the center shaft.
I will send you per mail a list with hands I have in stock.
Best regards, Thomas
The die weighs 25 kg, light in comparison to the previous tool, made from steel, a gantry was necessary to fit it onto a spinning lathe. The product is a seamless aluminium ring, into which the glass, spacers and dial etc. fit.
For on-wall mounting I supply a few simple parts. These have to be made for every clock.
The steel jig is for getting true round
720 mm openings into walls. I have
done only 1/2 doz. in-wall installations
The first one was a disaster until we
supplied the builder with the jig.
Once you decide to make this size of exterior clocks, I can give you all the information, based on my years of experience, that is details of hands, movements, mounting, other materials, waterproofing etc…
The case – rings, made from 3 mm thick aluminium
for the 900 mm large model are rolled and welded.
The seam is not visible from the outside.
I am offerig these lots:
- Three aluminium case rings, made from 3 mm thick material, 900 / 880 mm in diameter
2. One spinning die, to make 700 mm clock cases in 1.6 mm aluminium, ca. 20 perspex dials, some glasses, hands,
jigs and various fitting parts
I will check on courier charges once you have decided to purchase either or both lots.
You can make an offer and I will not refuse a reasonable one.
Heavy – duty clock movements, driven by master clock.
No front glass needed for these movements. Details and prices on request.
The A 300 model is used for exterior clocks of up to 1.2 meters.
It receives impulses every minute from a master clock and clicks
the hands forward. The hand-shafts are for a 40 mm thick panel.
The UFM 150 is also controlled by a master clock. The impulse section
then activates the motor on the right side, which drives a number of gears,
moving the hands forward every minute in a 8-second sweeps. If driven by
an older type of master clock without power reserve, the internal electro –
mechanical unit keeps the time-synchronisation. The hand shaft- tube is
150 mm long.
