Hello again,
I'm starting this post as a way of sharing my progress on my new Moon Phase Clock build. For starters, I wanted to showoff the hardware kit that came in the mail today. At first, I was contemplating putting this kit of non-printed parts together myself. But I'm so glad I chose to buy Steve's kit instead. So worth the cost, as it would have taken me forever to put together a quality hardware set like this. Shipping was quick, thanks Steve ;-) , and the packaging was perfect. The kit comes with everything, including the correct size drill bits for the arbors. All of the arbors are nicely cut to length and the ends are de-burred. The minute hand arbor is already ground with the needed flat on it. The bearings are already cleaned and de-greased. All of the required springs are included (and shipped on the arbors for protection; clever). The screw package includes flat, pan and socket head fasteners, along with the hex key for the socket heads. And finally, the required fishing line, which is nice, heavy braided (no stretch) line. Nice work on the hardware kit Steve! Only bummer is there was no candy included!
I also received a new spool of Sovol Silk Magic Tri-Color PLA in Blue-Yellow-Fuchsia to try out for the gears. I will report back on how this material performs (and looks). Part of my goal with this choice is to somewhat replicate the look of Steve's gears using the MatterHackers Quantum Blue-Rasberry PLA, which I think is beautiful. But that stuff is expensive, and not sold by Amazon (Prime).
I hope anyone seeing this post will follow along as I attempt to build this beautiful work of a 3D printable clock. I am totally open to any and all comments and suggestions as I go. When I first saw this clock on Youtube, I was so blown away. I just had to have one. Time to start loading some STL files into my Prusa Slicer. More progress to follow.
Cheers!
Edit: It wouldn't upload the video referred to in this right-up. I will try posting it separately.
Hello All,
The clock is finished and I am happy to report that it is running like a charm. At first I needed at least 7.5 lbs to run it, but after some additional tweaking of the escapement wheel, which is absolute key in my opinion, I can get it to run on slightly less than 6 lbs. Currently, I have settled on 7lbs 4 oz, which is the 3 inch short shell, filled completely with lead shot, and it has been running super steady all day. Steve, if you watch the video, how does the escapement performance look? I think I’m getting a nice, steady, relatively strong lock, with a steady pendulum amplitude of 2.4° using the 7lbs4oz.
Here are the numbers from my tests:
Weight Amplitude
7lb 4oz 2.4°
7lb 0oz 2.2°
6lb 0oz 1.8°
If anyone wants to know more about a few of the gory details that I went through in an effort to fully optimize this clock, to my potential at least, let me know. If you notice a piece of black plastic glued to the back of the escapement wheel, that is part of it.
This has been one of the funnest, most rewarding projects I have worked on lately. I strongly recommend trying out one of Steve's designs. You will get to push your 3D printer to it's full potential. And you will learn a lot about clocks, which I have found fascinating. I might be hooked!