Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The astronomical skeleton clock is nearly mechanically complete. At this point the machine is being taken down to its component parts for the final miscellaneous fabrication, polishing and finishing. Many larger parts including frames are being lacquered. In this video, Part 3, Buchanan illustrates the disassembly of the clock base. This contains the four main drive wheels and the state of wind complication for each. Besides the fact that this disassembly is necessary for the final finishing stage of the clock, the barrels will be re-engineered to power the machine with constant force motor springs in place of the current conventional weights. There are many advantages to this decision, the elimination of about 250 lbs. in weights and another 150 lbs for the substantial stand to hold the machine. That stand was specially designed to support the base frame as it could not handle the weights on its own without deflection. Now the machine can be placed on any substantial table top at any height and still retain a full eight day duration. The entire mass of the project has been cut by over 60%.
Notice the clever engineering that Buchanan used to make the frame look as if it were molded from one piece. No screws or attachment points can be seen in the base frame. The method used could only work visually if the frame parts were machined to fit perfectly together. This is something few will ever see or comprehend when looked in the future. A puzzle for them!
The astronomical skeleton clock is nearly mechanically complete. At this point the machine is being taken down to its component parts for the final miscellaneous fabrication, polishing and finishing. Many larger parts including frames are being lacquered. In this video, Part 3, Buchanan illustrates the disassembly of the clock base. This contains the four main drive wheels and the state of wind complication for each. Besides the fact that this disassembly is necessary for the final finishing stage of the clock, the barrels will be re-engineered to power the machine with constant force motor springs in place of the current conventional weights. There are many advantages to this decision, the elimination of about 250 lbs. in weights and another 150 lbs for the substantial stand to hold the machine. That stand was specially designed to support the base frame as it could not handle the weights on its own without deflection. Now the machine can be placed on any substantial table top at any height and still retain a full eight day duration. The entire mass of the project has been cut by over 60%.
Notice the clever engineering that Buchanan used to make the frame look as if it were molded from one piece. No screws or attachment points can be seen in the base frame. The method used could only work visually if the frame parts were machined to fit perfectly together. This is something few will ever see or comprehend when looked in the future. A puzzle for them!
