On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 01:59:00 +0000, John B wrote:

CW wrote:
The comment that I have gotten a lot that never fails to amaze me is
"you can't make one of those, you have to buy them". I'm a machinist and
tool maker. My response always is, "you want to bet"?
snip
I've had that very comment many times in relation to furniture and other
things I have made.
Used to get it a lot when I had just finished my apprenticeship,
especially by relatives.When I'd say "Of course I can I'm a cabinetmaker.
Who do you think makes the items in the shops". I'd receive a stunned sort
of silence then you'd see the lights slowly come on. Sort of milk comes
from a bottle, Never thought about a cow. regards
John

I've been a machinist and tool / die-maker. I've done production work with
tolerances of only a few millionths (.000030"+-) and did it extremely well
(10,000 parts, 3 rejects). I never sniff at other peoples work. Good tips
its hat to good.

And that clock is good.

Another poster commented that if an assembly does not just fall together,
it's wrong. I would only add that the exception to that rule is when the
resistance is intentional. (see "Classes of Fit" in "Machinery's
Handbook"). I typically do my woodwork to 'sliding fit' with the intention
of doing one test fitting before final assembly. With that class of fit,
you don't get many trial fittings before the class of fit is lost. But
there is something very comforting about having the parts lightly hold
alignment while I grab for the clamps & cauls.

The OP did one heck of a job and has every right to be pleased with the
outcome.

Maybe for his next project he could model the known universe, with orbits.

;-)

Bill