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Two Hundred years ago in the early 1800s some American clock makers were crafting shelf and mantel clocks with movements made entirely from hardwoods. Gear wheels were carefully shaped from cherry or other hardwoods and assembled with great care so as to ensure smooth running. Many wooden works clocks have survived for two centuries and are now costly antiques. They command prices in the thousands of dollars when they are available. Many collectors who would like to have such a clock can’t afford the high price tag naturally. However modern reproductions of these fine old clocks are available usually as kits or plans.

Even earlier in the 1700s, tall case grandfather clocks with wooden works were being made by many clockmakers. The tall case left room for the weights which drive the clock to fall further so that the clock would run longer before needing to have the weights raised to the top again.

Building a wooden gear clock takes time and care in the workmanship but it is not really difficult to produce a good working clock. The average home crafter with some wood working skills can do it with simple hand tools just as the early clock makers did. The clock will be a family heirloom which will be passed proudly down through the generations.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has on display a rare and beautiful wooden gear shelf clock which was made in the early 1800s. After two centuries this fine clock is still in running order. It has been carefully measured and detailed drawings made. These plans with complete building instructions are available for purchase. They show complete details of all the working parts and how they fit together. The case of the clock is also presented in detailed drawings showing every part as it is in the original antique clock.

Building wooden gear clocks is a great hobby for the craftsman, and anyone can be a craftsman; it only takes careful work. This is not the type of project which can be completed in a few evenings. Rather it is a project for the person who takes great pride in the quality of their work and will spend whatever time is necessary to do a perfect job. The individual parts of such a clock are of very simple design and quite easy to make. To run smoothly each part must be finished properly so that the clock will keep good time.

To summarize, building a wooden gear clock is perfectly within the ability of almost anyone. It is hard to tell a well made copy of an antique clock from a genuine antique at a quick look. Close inspection by an expert will, of course, show the new wood and materials used to build it establishing its origin beyond doubt. But for the craftsman who made it and for all who see and admire it the clock is a thing of beauty which will tick tock proudly in the home for a lifetime and probably many years after that while keeping good time.