I recall reading that CB prints his own dial faces on paper but I wondered how well those hold up over time. Does anyone have experience? Is there a certain type of paper that holds up best? Do you treat the paper, spray with shellac or lacquer? Or are there resources which can custom fabricate one from enamel or porcelain?
Thanks
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Not many woodworkers are building tall case clocks anymore I suspect. I think some are hand painting clock faces. Where you learn that I don’t know.
Maybe it’s a lack of know-how and not change of taste that causes some things to ‘go out of style.’
I've been thinking of making a Shaker wall or mantle clock. I, too, think that the big grandfather clocks are just too big for today's decor.
http://www.klockit.com For custom you might try etsy.
I think they are about the only ones left.
In 2014, I built a dozen Arts & Crafts style mantle clocks for a local gallery. I laser-printed clock faces onto good quality, antique-looking parchment paper from Michael's. I didn't treat the paper in any way, but my clock faces are protected by glass, so they never get touched or dusty (adjusting the hands is done from the back). I fastened the paper faces to a thin plywood piece with ultra-thin "glue dots", which are typically used to mount photos or artwork. I kept two of them for family, and after ten years, the faces still look like new.
@badger1805, that's exactly the experience I was looking for. Thank you!
I recently built a 7' Tall clock and 5 mantle clocks. Google searches will turn up 3-4+ companies that sell "clock dials". Mine dial was heavy cardstock and I applied a thin coat of spray adhesive the back. I bought stencils and paint pens from Blick art supply to paint designs and flowers on the dial backboard, 1/4" plywood, sanded and painted.
https://www.clockworks.com/
https://www.klockit.com/all-departments/clock-dials.html
https://griffensclocks.com/clock-movement-and-case-components/dials-bezels-glass-and-decals/metal-dials/
Good luck! I wanted to make sure I left my kids something they have no idea what to do with but too valuable to toss. Mine has a Hermle movement and has to be wound.
Thanks for your links. The last one had lots of metallic faces to choose from.
This dial is the only one, from all the sites mentioned, that I’d consider as being from a significant time period of its type.
https://www.clockworks.com/product/1161-853-clock-dial-white-floral-calendar
Just for shitzen-giggles, I searched Amazoid for papyrus, to see if they sold it; they do!
https://www.amazon.com/Egyptian-Blank-Papyrus-Handmade-Sheets/dp/B0C772S4RL/ref=sr_1_6J
(I understand it holds up quite well in Mediterranean humidity!)
It would be pretty cool to use that and instead of clock face numbers you use hieroglyphics. Thanks for that idea. 👍
I’ve thought of doing a simpler, more modern federal tall case without the heavy, complicated chimes. Instead use a simple quartz movement.
https://lindowmachineworks.com/movement-gallery/
🤔 Site is a little cryptic and not much on his FB page. He definitely needs to update it so you can look around, inquire and maybe obtain services with confidence. He probably doesn’t get many inquiries.
I made my clock faces using Corel Draw and took the files to a printing company. They printed the clock dials of acid-free parchment paper which will hold up for a very long time.
In 1996, I made several Hancock Shaker wall clocks. I laser printed their dials on off-white acid-free paper used by card makers and scrapbookers. I sprayed on a light coat of Krylon Workable Fixatif, mainly to darken the toner. The dials still look great, including one that lies under a piece of cardboard on a shelf in my shop.