I’m always here to answer your well-thought out questions, however, most of the questions I reply to already have answers that appear in the Frequently Asked Questions section of my site. Please check here first to see if I’ve already answered your particular question. Hopefully you’ll find the information you need, and maybe a chuckle or two along the way:

Frequently Asked Questions Page

Another great resource is the video section on my site. A few of my builders have created some totally wonderful how-to videos that contain lots of tips, tricks and fantastic information that can help anyone build a better wooden clock. Use the left-right buttons at the bottom of the video player to scroll through all the videos that are available.

Instructional Video Page

*****Updated 4/9/2010*****

Most of the email I still get are the following three questions that are already answered on my "Frequently Asked Questions" page, namely:

1. "In what format are your plans, and what is included?"

Included in my clock plans are full size drawings for most of the parts.  All of the major components, like the wheels, pinions, spacers, etc., are given as full size patterns.  These drawings can be cut from the plans, glued to the appropriately sized stock, and cut to the line.  This same “NO Measuring” technique applies to the metal parts used as arbors and spacers.  Just put the appropriately sized metal part next to the plans, mark and cut.  

All of my clock plans come with a full set of instructions and a materials list.  Besides the separate instructions, each page also has instructions for each of the parts, and there are a couple of pages that show the completed clockworks, so you can go back and reference these to see how all the parts fit together.  There are two drawings of the front view of the clock; a full front view, and a close-up where the various parts of the clock are labeled.  Also, there is a side view of the clock that shows the layout of the parts from that view.  Oversized parts are given as measured drawings. 

All of my clock plans are drawn in CAD and sent as paper patterns.  No electronic transfers.

I try my best to turn around all the orders within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. I send all my orders out USPS First Class or Air Mail to foreign countries, but, of course, everything I send out leaves Hawaii by air. Orders containing three or more plans always go out USPS Priority Mail. Here is the schedule my post office says to allow for delivery of my plans:

West Coast of United States - 2 to 3 weeks.

East Coast of United States - 3 to 4 weeks

Canada and Mexico - 3 to 4 weeks

Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan - 3 to 4 weeks

South America, Africa - 4 to 6 weeks

Europe - 4 to 6 weeks, excluding Italy

Italy - 6 weeks to 4 years

HOWEVER, I find that my packages usually arrive in about half of the time listed above.

3. "Which is the best clock design for beginners?"

I always used to recommend my Number Six as the best clock for the beginner to learn about building wooden clockworks. It is a true clock with front and rear plates (frames), and her large wheels are not only pleasant to look at but are also very forgiving for the first time clock builder. Her large escape wheel, right out front, is also quite mesmerizing. I love my Number Six. Mine has been running over seven years and still she has never even given me a lick of problems or needed a cleaning!

Later I created my Simplicity...and as the name implies, she is even easier than the Number Six because of her "uni-frame" construction, and fewer wheels to cut. The song of my Simplicity is the first thing to greet me in the morning as I enter my shop. Yes! - she is still operating out in my shop where she has to contend with mounds of sawdust. Once the sawdust gets to thick on her and she stops, I simply take my compressed air and blow her off and she's ready to go out dancing again.

Kauai Time is also a wonderful design that is easy for the first timer to build. Kauai Time is a simple three wheel design with a large escapement and is very forgiving of the first time builder.

If you want to build an even simpler mechanism (notice I'm not calling it a clock) you could look at my Horologium. If you want some semblance of correct time, build one of the above, but if you just want a lot of movement and an approximation of time, the Horologium is about as simple as you can get. If you look up John Hilgenberg's Horologium on my Flicker link (on my main page) he says his keeps nearly perfect time. His is made of acrylic and is quite beautiful.

So, there you go, four choices depending upon what you'd like, but remember, all of my designs are "build-able". It is just that some take more time and tenacity than others.

If you have checked these resources THOROUGHLY and still have a question, you may contact me by using the following email link:

Email Clayton

Aloha. Clayton