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Welcome C​lock Making Friends,

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I am a retired computer engineer with a fascination for figuring out how things work. I like to tear things apart and think of ways they can be improved. Mechanical clocks have always been interesting because they seem simple, but the details can be incredibly complex. At times, I wonder if I should have been a mechanical engineer.

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I spent many years tinkering with bits and pieces before building my first clock. It all came together when I received my first 3D printer, a Prusa MK3. 

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My design philosophy is to make a clock that is both functional and good looking. I use metal arbors in a 3D printed clock, because friction is lower than a fully printed component. This is the only way I have found to create a long enough runtime to make a useful time piece. A clock with a 12 hour runtime will very quickly become a static piece of art. I want a clock that will be showing the correct time when I return from a weekend getaway.

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I also have a philosophy that a clock should consider the material it is made from when it is being created. A clock designed using brass gears should not be ported directly to 3D printing or wood. The gear shapes need to be optimized separately for each material. 3D printing allows pinions to be integrated with the main gear as a single component. Wood gear teeth need to be larger and have different shapes so the teeth are strong. Each material should have a different design to be the best design possible.

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Until now, my focus has been on 3D printed clocks. However, I really like the look of wooden gears clocks. I plan to create a few wooden gear clocks in the near future.

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This web site is intended to help other clock builders get as much enjoyment out of building their clocks as I have had designing them. Feel free to message me in the forum or on MyMiniFactory. If you really want to support my work and encourage future development, purchase some of my designs or become a Patreon supporter.

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thanks

Steve Peterson