That is strikingly beautiful. I take it hasen't got chimes ?

P J

What a stunning project.

The photo really shows it off very well, was it taken in sunlight rather than flash?

The turnery is very crisp and does justice to the grain detail in the wood.

Ben, this is one for the readers gallery ( in my humble opinion).

(edit: Now I want to make one, off to google/ogle craftsupplies.)

Yes i agree it is a stunning piece of work, well ballanced piece and well finished.

Ralph

I'm left bewildered!

Derek. 

First of all many thanks for all your kind comments on this skeleton clock. My mother should be pleased with her 81st birthday present in June. Sparky, congratulations on your 1000th post (now1119!!) and comments on my other work.

Rob Johnson, Sorry I misled you. The "hinges" and Bocote Mexican Rosewood came from Craft-Supplies. The design of the clock was based on a picture of a mirror in the 2003 Craft-Supplies catalogue. It was made without drawings, straight on the lathe. Measurements were forced by the size of the clock insert and hinges. The clock insert was bought at the Woodworker Show from Meantime Design. (See links below)

The photo was taken without a flash, outside in the sunlight. A flash causes reflection of the glass obscuring the clockface. White hardboard served as a base and background for taking the photo. The background was then cleaned up in a photo editing program.

http://www.meantimedesign.com/acatalog/Skeleton_Clocks.html

http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdCat.cgi/Bocote/Mexican===Rosewood,2,,,A===-===B

Johan

I feel the low quality of the fitments does nothing for your high quality craftsmanship.  Craft Supplies sadly do not stock good quality herdware - especially brass.  I do not think that it's their fault.  I just think that there is a lack of specialist hardware available for retail.  What there is available is made in the far East where the policy seems to be to make down to a price rather than up to a quality.  For example, I wanted some brass hinges and clasp for a small octagonal box.  The best at Craft Supplies worked out at 75p for two hinges and a clasp but they were rubbish.  I would happily have paid £4 - £5 for good stuff.  After all I had spent a fiver on the wood and put about eight hours work into it - all spoiled for a ha'porth of tar, as they say! 

Furniture manufacturers and high quality crafted goods manufacturers (clocks, barometers, mirrors, boxes etc.) seem to be able to get fittings to suit their products ok.  I don't understand why we amateurs don't have access to them.

If anyone can tell us where to get decent hardware I would be eternally (for at least a week) grateful.

Richard 

Richard,

I fully agree with you and am on the same quest for quality fittings. (Help please anybody).

As it happens, the hinges from Craft-Supplies are fine solid brass, but they are over fifteen years old and times have changed. As you will see from my post above the clock insert actually came from Meantime Design, not Craft-Supplies as I had mistakenly said in my first post. 

A bit of gold has already split from the surround during fitting and had to be covered with gold paint. You my see a hint of it on te rim under 6 o'clock. By the way, the finish is Rustins Plastic Coating

Johan

Thanks Johan, I suspected it was a daylight shot due to the clarity and colour of the wood. I am sure your Mum will love it, I find it inspirational.

Regards Rob.

Johan,

This Rustins Plastic Coating, really is something isn't it? I have just used it diluted on my television cabinet and the result is one of the best I've ever had, but I didn't go much for it undiluted. Fantastic piece of work.

Derek. 

Derek,

I have used Rustins Plastic Coating for some time. This clock has a single coat. I use it selectively. When using more than one coat I rub the work down with 0000 wire wool to smooth out any raised grain etc. It can be buffed down to a matt finish with the burnishing compound supplied by rustins for the Plastic Coating system. It is very hard wearing and therefore ideal for items that get a lot of handling or washing i.e . pepper mills, cheeseboards etc. If  Plastic Coating is used insensitively it can look just like it says on the tin - plastic - not a look I appreciate in wood.

Johan

Johan,

I am making replacement doors for an oak kitchen, 20 doors and 8 drawers, all have  raised panels,I have supplied an fitted a sample door finished with 2 coats plastic coating diluted and very successful it is, looks like a Danish oil finish.

Derek. 

Derek,

What do you thin it with, and at what percentage?

Rustins make their own thinners, they say about 5to10 per cent, I cheated and used cellulose thinners at a higher rate with, I might add, great success.

Derek. 

Where do you get you Ruskins plastic coating from as i don't think I've seen any on sale.I do like there stain a lot,using antique pine at the moment it's not yellow like most.

Johan I'd like to make Clocks in the future and perhaps a bit of turning you have inspired me and i think set my bench mark. Please go and win some awards with it before you give it to your Mother.

P J

P.J.

I get mine direct from Rustins.

Derek.