Philip began building these clock cases in 1999. In 2000, he entered the North Bennet Street School and left the unfinished clocks on the back burner. Around 2013 his grown son Paul visited. The two of them worked together in the shop for a few days, moving the clocks along. Paul told his dad, “That was a great time together. We should do it more often.” A few months later they did it again, and Philip asked his son what had brought about this wonderful lagniappe. The answer: “Well, I know that someday you are not going to be here, and I never want to say I wish I had spent more time with my dad.” Here are the two clocks they worked on together.

WALNUT, MAPLE VENEER, OAK, AND BASSWOOD, 10D x 20W x 93H

—Philip A Houck, Boston, Mass.

From Fine Woodworking #305

Launch Gallery