After making several furniture items, bowls and vases, I thought I would try something new: a mantle clock.  I have checked out Pinterest and several other websites for some ideas and now I’ve settled on something like this sketch I made with   Google SketchUp.

SketchUp drawing of the clock

Rather than trying to describe how I am going to make this clock,  I am producing a series of videos  showing the process as it is being made.

In the first video ( Episode I)  I made a scale drawing of the face of the clock that is used as a pattern to cut out all of the individual pieces.  The video shows how to make one of these drawings for yourself so that you too, can accurately make your own.

Scale drawing of the clock face

In the Second video (Episode II), I use the pattern to cut out the six layers of plywood that will be used for the body of the clock itself. The six layers must all be exactly the same so this video shows the process of roughing them out with a saber saw then trimming each one with a router table with a 1 inch flush trim bit installed.

The pattern attached to plywood

First piece is made

In the upcoming third video (Episode III), these six pieces will be assembled, sanded and veneered with a yet to be determined hardwood. I’m currently thinking I will use  something like this Babinga.

Bainga

The final Video of this series was never made.  I stopped working on this clock for two reasons:  First, after several attempts, I could never get the veneer to attach smoothly to the plywood I would enjoy your thoughts as to why this happened.  Possible reasons might be:

1. The plywood is not the best material here.

2. Perhaps I should have used paperback veneer.

3.  Maybe a vacuum press is necessary.

The other reason I stopped work on it is it’s shape; I didn’t like it so I modified it slightly and started the whole project again.  Here is a picture of my second attempt.

How To Make A Mantle Clock Video Links:

How To Make A Mantle Clock Part One     Drawing the Plans

How To Make A Mantle Clock Part Two    Cutting out the parts

How To Make A Mantle Clock Part Three   Assembling the parts

Part Four Will be published in a few days

Media File Downloads: 

mantle clock view 1

clock bluprint  view 1   

clock blueprint  view 2

clock blueprint view 3

What Happened To The Final Video?

The final Video of this series was never made. I stopped working on this clock for two reasons:

First, after several attempts, I could never get the veneer to attach smoothly to the plywood I would enjoy your thoughts as to why this happened. Possible reasons might be:
1. The plywood is not the best material here.
2. Perhaps I should have used paperback veneer.
3. Maybe a vacuum press is necessary.

The other reason I stopped work on it is it’s shape; I didn’t like it so I modified it slightly and started the whole project again. Here are some pictures of my second attempt.This clock was made with solid mahogany rather than veneer and it is one inch shorter.  I will release the full set of plans soon.