Founder's Clock

[BillK]

I designed this in Aspire for the founder of our company.

It’s supposed to be a clock eventually, having a hard time getting a clock insert as two different models that I ordered were on backorder with delivery in July only to get pushed back until August! I had to go to another company that promises delivery this week, but the size is slightly different so we’ll see if I have to open the hole up.

The top is a model of a ball bearing I designed, retainer and all. The center cut out for the clock. The bottom is just a two rail sweep and a place to carve the boss’s signature and the company name.

This is red oak. Finish cut the bearing and “frame” with a 1/16 tapered ball nose from Precisebits, 14% stepover.

If I ever get the clock insert, I'll post the finished version. After August I'll probably be making a lot of clocks since I'll be getting 5 more inserts sometime.

[Buc]

Bill,

Really nice looking clock base. I like the bearing.

Here is a place to look for clock inserts. www.klockit.com Had good luck with them.

Buc

[BillK]

Buc,

Thanks, but that's where I got the double back order, haha. Usually my first choice though.

BillK

[Eagle55]

BillK,

Not to overlook the obvious but that is an awesome job on the project execution, but even more so in the design work. This may be a dumb question, but is that all one piece of wood? and how did you get the routing on the top of the rectangular section?

Excellent job... worthy of an executive!!

Roger

[BillK]

Roger,

You have a great eye for the details.

Is it one piece of wood? Yes and no. It was one piece of 1x8 that I cut in half and face glued together to form a 8x10x1.5 inch thick block.

The "ogee" on top of the rectangular section face was created in a 3D model in another program which included the basic shape of the cut out. The bearing and frame sweep was done in Aspire where the three were married up.

Dividing up the cutting sequence was the key to the project, I think. I guess I could have just 3D roughed and finished the whole thing and then done a cutout for the outside, but it would have taken forever.

So for the bearing, I used the ID and OD as borders for the 3D cut. For the lower frame I used the Inside box, and a line just above the ogee section, so the ogee on the face was cut then. The relief under the bearing to the ogee top was done as a pocket cut with a 1/4 inch end mill. In the same cut, a profile around the bearing OD to blend the face. Another pocket cut for the flat face part of the frame. 60 degree V bit for the lettering. Pocket cut for the as yet delivered clock insert.

Finally the cut out was done with a 1/4 inch end mill were the side ogee was formed. A little filing, a little sanding, and apply finish.

I try to design my projects with cutter size in mind and if you think them out and plan tool changes they can really end up taking a lot less time.

BillK

[SPH01]

Is the signature a scan that was converted? What size bit on the signature?
VERY well done and well thought out.

[BillK]

Is the signature a scan that was converted? What size bit on the signature?
VERY well done and well thought out.

Another great question.

Here's what I did. Yes, the signature was from a scan in a PDF file. It's easily selected and converted into a jpg file.

However, being a signature, it had lighter and heavier line weights, various shades of blue, and doesn't really look great when converted directly to vectors. What I do is to import it into my iPad and an app called Sketchup Pro from Autodesk. Using layers and zoom features, I traced the signature with a consistent thickness black line, then save that layer as a jpg file. It converts very cleanly as vectors.

To carve, I used a 60 degree V-bit.

BillK

[Eagle55]

BillK,

I was impressed with the design to start with, but my level of impression was increased even more when I heard the details. I have done a much simpler picture frame where I had to cut a 3/4" thick project out of 1 1/2" slab of wood because I had a simple raised 3d set of wedding bands (posted in the projects section). So I understand how thinking through the whole project methodically can make or break you on how you perform the various steps. I continue to be highly impressed on both the finished product but even more so on the design level. (Which I consider myself very hard to impress) If you ever decide to give design lessons, consider me to be first in line. LOL Excellent Job

[BillK]

And finally the insert came in. Final picture before gift wrapping.

[Penman]

Hi BillK,

just had to say that is very impressive.

Well done.

Cheers,

Roger.