How to assemble clockwork. How to choose and assemble a clockwork

To create a cozy home, you need to think through many details. First of all, this applies to interior and decor elements, such as curtains, lamps, clocks and pillows. Today we propose to consider how to make a watch with your own hands. Anyone can make them. The main task is to install a large working mechanism, usually bought in a specialized store. The presence of an old clock will greatly simplify the task, because you can use their mechanism. Everything else depends on your skill and imagination.

Wall clock in decoupage technique (MK)

You can make a clock in the kitchen with your own hands from improvised materials. But, if you want to create an original product, then the decoupage style will be the perfect solution.. These clocks look elegant and will be a unique decoration for the interior of the house. We offer an interesting master class that will help you create a wall clock yourself at minimal cost.

You also need to prepare:

• clockwork hands;
• wooden base (round or square);
• napkins and ready-made patterns on paper;
• acrylic paints;
• brushes;
• sponges and varnish.

Making watches with your own hands in the decoupage style is carried out in a certain sequence:

1. The workpiece is being processed . The basis of the future product must be sanded with sandpaper and coated three times with white acrylic paint, it will serve as a primer.

2. When the paint dries, a couple of centimeters recede from the edge of the workpiece and outline the future frame .

Outlining the frame

3. The basis is given an invoice , the color of painting is selected, the most suitable for the interior. The paint is diluted and applied with a sponge in a chaotic manner to age the product.

Applying a second coat of paint

4. The frame of the future watch stands out more dark color, brown paint is ideal for this.

Coloring the frame

5. From prepared rice paper cut pattern and applied to the workpiece. . If a napkin is used, then it is soaked in water and applied to the selected place on the dial. Glue is applied over the image.

Paste the image

6. Now you need to connect your imagination and make sure that the drawing fits organically into the surface. Paints of appropriate tones and a sponge will help here. With their help creates a smooth transition from the pattern to the surface of the dial. It is important to be extremely careful, if you cope with this task, then you are a great master.

Making a smooth transition

7. At this stage need to aging the product , for this, a two-component cracking agent is applied to the surface with a dry brush (you can buy it at a store where needlework products are presented).

Applying a layer for craquelure

8. After the craquelure dries, cracks will appear on the product, which will give it elegance. The workpiece is varnished as a protective layer.

We cover with varnish

At the end, it remains to install the arrows, the mechanism and glue the numbers (the latter can be drawn according to the template). Now the clock has a complete look, they can be used as decor for the kitchen, bedroom, living room.

Finished result

On video: making wall clocks using decoupage technique

Cardboard clock (MK)

Some needlewomen make do-it-yourself clocks for the kitchen from cardboard. Such a decor item can become not only useful, but also an exclusive thing. Before answering the question of how to make a clock out of cardboard, you need to make sure that you have the appropriate materials.

For work you will need:

• thick cardboard;
• multi-colored caps or buttons;
• working mechanism and arrows;
• compass;
• PVA glue.

To make your own wall clock, follow the steps below:

1. A circle is made on cardboard with a compass, after which it is cut out.

Cut out a circle from cardboard

2. Using glue, caps or buttons are glued in appropriate places.

Glue the lids to the cardboard

3. Numbers are depicted on the caps (use a marker or acrylic paint, depending on the material from which the parts are made).

Draw numbers

4. A hole is made in the center of the intended circle for installing the mechanism and arrows.

Making a hole

5. The last step is to install the arrow mechanism. A battery is also inserted to operate the watch.

As you can see, you can make a clock out of cardboard very quickly and you don’t need special skills for this, but such decoration will complement the interior of the selected room.

Quilling product(MK)

A good option would be to make a quilling clock. In such arts and crafts, paper strips of different widths and lengths are used.. They twist into patterns, a composition is formed. You can make such a clock according to the following scheme:

• The basis for the clock will serve thick cardboard or plywood. Black paper is glued to the body. To create contrast, decorative elements are mainly created from white or light-colored paper. When choosing a color, the interior of the room where the clock will be installed is taken into account. They should fit in harmoniously.

This is what the finished product looks like

• Numbers are made from prepared strips of paper. To do this, use short strips. At the same time, decorative elements are twisted. Various compositions are used for decoration. It can be flowers or just patterns. It is better to draw a sketch in advance, which will allow you to evaluate the appearance of the future product.

We twist patterns and numbers from paper strips

3. The created numbers and decorative elements are glued to the selected places using PVA glue.

We glue the finished elements to the base

4. A hole is made in the center of the base and a mechanism with arrows is installed.

Installing the clockwork

Ideas for creating wall clocks are different. Focus on the materials that you have available, but there can be a lot of them. It is allowed to use additional elements, be it lace, satin ribbons, beads, rhinestones or even stickers.. A wall clock for the kitchen made of paper or other materials will always let you know the time. And the made element of decor with your own hands will please the eye.

As an idea, you can try to make a watch, but in this case everything is much more complicated.. This is due to their small size. The best option here would be to experiment with straps. Combining chains of different thicknesses will allow you to create an original watch on hand. Also, zippers, elastic bands, beads can serve as a decorative strap.

Clock made of paper and CD (2 videos)

Homemade watch options (35 photos)

Install a metal hanging loop if needed. The loop is installed on a special ledge ("piglet") at the base of the stem. The protrusion is part of the body of the mechanism, so the load is on the entire body, and not on the stem.

The weight of the watch when using a metal loop must not exceed 10 kg.
For a plastic loop no more than 5 kg.

Install the sealing rubber washer. The sealing washer does not allow the mechanism to rotate on the product. And also relieves excess "stress" with a strong tightening of the nut.

Pass the stem of the mechanism through the hole in the dial. About the thickness of the dial, you need to say ...

The diameter of the hole for the stem in the dial is 8 mm.
And when using a curly nut 9 mm.

Install brass washer

Tighten the nut.

Don't tighten the nut too tight. Overtightening the nut may damage the mechanism or affect the accuracy of the movement.

Set the hour and minute hands on the minute hand.

To install the arrows, it is most convenient to use a tube of a suitable diameter. A simple ballpoint pen can work for this.

The hour and minute hands must be set to 12 o'clock. Otherwise, the time will not be displayed correctly.

Set the second hand.

When setting the second hand, when pressing, it is necessary to hold the mechanism on the reverse side (shown in the photo). Thus, in order not to squeeze out the pin on which the second hand is mounted.

figured nut

The curly nut is used for two reasons:
1. Some people find her appearance neater. Indeed, it looks more compact than a standard washer with a nut.
2. Curly nut allows you to "increase" the height of the threaded part by 1-2 mm. This becomes relevant when, for some reason, these millimeters are not enough. For example, there is no mechanism with a suitable thread height.

As seen in the figure, dial thickness when using a figure nut (on the right) can be more than when using a conventional nut when installed on a mechanism with the same thread height. The only limitation on the amount of "extension" is the fit of the hour hand - it is necessary that the curly nut does not interfere with the rotation of the hand.

The diameter of the hole in the dial for a figured nut = 9 mm (1 mm more than for a conventional nut), because she goes deeper into the dial.

The stem has two parts:
Threaded part- for fastening the mechanism on the clock. A nut is screwed onto it.
minute clock- to install shooters on it.

threaded part

There are different "heights" for different dial thickness.
Below are options for mechanisms with different threaded parts. You can experiment and choose the height you need. (here you can pick up a stock ...)

Stem selection for dial thickness:

Thread height: 6 mm

Thread space distribution:

Sealing
washer: 1 mm

Washer and Nut: 1 mm

Remaining space for dial: 3 mm

Available stems:

Items 1-10 out of 14.

View	Name	Minute clock type	Overall Height (mm)	Thread height (mm)	Max. dial thickness (mm)
	S1 12/6	S1	12	6	3
	S1 16/9	S1	16	9	7
	S1 18/12	S1	18	12	10
	S1 Seiko 13/5.2	S1 Seiko	13	5.2	3.2
	S1 Seiko 15/6.7	S1 Seiko	15	6.7	4.7
	S1 Seiko 17/9	S1 Seiko	17	9	7
	S2 15/6.7	S2	15	6.7	4.7
	S2 17/8.7	S2	17	8.7	6.7
	S2 22/11.7	S2	22	11.7	10.7
	S2 23/14.7	S2	23	14.7	13.7

Let's start to figure it out!

Most of the mechanisms (almost all) presented in various hobby shops are quartz watch movements. They trace their history back to 1957, have high accuracy (plus/minus one second per day) and are perfect for everyday use. Such a mechanism can be called an electromechanical type.

Once per second, the quartz crystal transmits an impulse to the electronic unit. From there, it is transferred to the engine, which pushes the arrows. An ordinary finger-type battery (AA battery) is used as a power supply for the electronic unit.

Among the shortcomings of such a mechanism, one can single out that after a few years of use, the crystal loses its properties, and the watch begins to rush. However, this problem is easily solved by buying a new mechanism (since the main advantage of quartz watch movements is their inexpensive price) or by replacing the crystal in a watch workshop.

Stem and Thread Height

To choose the right clockwork, you need to build on the thickness of the workpiece first.

The main parameters that are indicated in the clockwork are the overall height of the rod and the height of the thread.

After you put the clock base on the stem, the thread should rise above the base for a few more turns (about 2-3 mm) so that its height is enough to put a metal washer and tighten the nut.

In the name of the watch mechanism, the first digit is the stem height, and the second is the thread height (16/9, 18/12, 20/14, etc.).

When buying a watch movement, it is better to know in advance the thickness of the workpiece that you will be decorating in order to select a watch movement with a suitable stem height. By the way, do not forget to consider the decor itself! The number of layers of primer, paint, varnish and especially relief elements can greatly increase the overall thickness of the workpiece.

Example. We have clockwork 15/6.7. This means that we need to subtract two millimeters from the height of 6.7 (to secure the nut). It turns out that for such a mechanism we can use a workpiece no thicker than 4.7 mm.

Simple and reinforced watch movements and hands

Watch mechanisms are simple and reinforced.

Reinforced watch movements have increased torque, parts made from materials of higher quality. Such mechanisms are more reliable and designed to interact well with large hands (up to 35 cm, up to 50 cm, and some manufacturers even up to 1 meter) and large diameter bases. When choosing hands for clockwork, it is important that they match each other! Arrows for normal and reinforced mechanisms are different, and are not interchangeable.

If you are going to decorate a workpiece of a rather large diameter, it would be more logical for you to take a closer look at reinforced clockwork and hands.

Quiet: discrete and smooth running

Watch movements are distinguished by the type of movement of the second hand:

Watch movements with discrete movement - the second hand makes 60 movements per minute, making a characteristic sound when changing each division, the clock is ticking. However, there are so-called "silent" models, the sound of which is almost imperceptible.

It is best to check the clockwork upon purchase to assess how quiet it is. In our showroom you can always ask for a battery and check the clockwork :)

Movements with a smooth running - the second hand makes 360 movements per minute and visually it seems that it "floats" smoothly. Such models are called silent, but they still make some kind of sound and this must also be taken into account. In addition, mechanisms of this type cost at least twice as much as discrete ones, and due to the fact that the number of pulses per minute is six times higher, the batteries in them run out much faster.

Choosing hands for watch mechanisms

Like mechanisms, watch hands are simple and reinforced. Simple hands are suitable for simple types of movements, while heavy-duty hands are specially designed for heavy-duty movements.

Arrows can be purchased individually or in sets.

The hands are traditionally hours, minutes and seconds.

However, the second hand can be neglected, and a stub stud can be put instead.

Arrows come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. The length of the arrow is indicated from the center of the hole to the tip of the arrow.

Sometimes a protective transparent film is stuck on the arrows - do not forget to remove it before using the arrows.

After the film is removed, the arrows can also be decorated, for example, aged with bitumen or painted in a different color.

Assembly order of the clockwork

So, we chose the mechanism, the arrows too. It remains quite a bit: to collect all the details together and start the clock.

Step by step with photos, consider the process of assembling the clock mechanism.

1. We take the clockwork.

2. We put on a metal loop. If you will use the clock in some other way, and not hang it on a carnation in the wall, then this step can be skipped.

3. We put on a rubber washer-gasket.

4. We put on the base for the clock! We carefully scroll the entire thread. Sometimes, due to layers of primer, varnish and paint, the hole in the workpiece is clogged and the threaded rod does not fit into it.

In this case, clean the hole with something sharp, or sand off the excess with sandpaper rolled into a tube.

5. We put on a metal washer.

6. And we fix the mechanism by tightening the metal nut.

7. We put on the hour hand.

8. Now put on the minute hand.

9. We put on a second hand or a carnation plug.

10. We turn over our clock and insert the battery into the clock mechanism. Ready!

Now you know how to select and assemble watch movements and hands. It's time to decorate the clock!

Our Community has collected excellent material about painting and decoupage of watches.

But we missed one moment - clockwork installation.

Useful information about watch movements:

The clockwork case has the following dimensions: width: 56 mm, height: 56 mm, thickness: 16 mm, stem diameter: 8 mm (diameter of the hole for the stem in the dial).

The stem is the part of the mechanism that is threaded through a hole in the center of the dial. It consists of a threaded part, a seat for the hour hand, a seat for the minute hand and a hole for installing the second hand.

The threaded part of the stem must be at least 2 mm larger than the thickness of the dial. This is necessary in order to secure the mechanism (install the washer and tighten the nut).

For example: stem 16/9 means that the height of the threaded part = 9 mm. This means that the thickness of the dial must be no more than 7 mm so that the mechanism with such a stem can be fixed.

In the name of the movement, the first is the overall size of the rod, and the second is the size of the threaded part (12/6, 16/9, 18/12, etc.)

Watch mechanisms differ in the course of the second hand:

For a metal loop, the clock can be hung:

The size of the arrows is indicated from the center of the hole to the tip of the arrow:

There is a protective film on the arrows, which must be removed during installation:

Installing the clockwork and hands on the workpiece:

1. Install the mounting loop on the mechanism

2. Pass the rod of the mechanism into the hole on the product. Fit the washer, tighten the nut.

3. Put arrows on the rod: first the hour hand, then the minute and second (it must be inserted into the hole). In order not to damage the arrows during mounting on the stem, it is recommended to use a tube of the desired diameter. If there is no special tool at hand, you can use a simple ballpoint pen.

It all started with the fact that 2 years ago, from a trip to Belarus, I brought my grandfather a locally produced TROYKA watch as a gift.

This watch has a smooth-running quartz movement (there is an abbreviation MPH :)), i. the second hand does not click loudly every second, but rather quietly rustles continuously. From the salt battery included in the kit, the clock pretty accurately departed for about 2 months. Well, I replaced it with an alkaline one and the clock got up in a month. Replaced again, again took about a month. After the 3rd battery change, it became clear that something was wrong here. After checking the "dead" batteries, I realized that they are still very much alive. After consulting with the nearest blogosphere, I found out that such mechanisms are not repairable and are easier to throw out. I gave up until one day in Ikea I saw their cheapest watch model and picked it up to see what kind of mechanism it was.
Here they are - the simplest plastic case and plastic glass, paper dial

Suddenly, the very mechanism was installed in them, and on the sticker there was a mysterious inscription "Made in Belarus" =D

The price of the unit turned out to be something in the region of 250 rubles, I grabbed them satisfied and rushed home to dissect. Swapped mechanisms. This is not difficult - the arrows are carefully removed from the stem, after which you need to slightly squeeze the latches and remove the mechanism from the case, assemble in the reverse order. The Ikeevsky version is generally disassembled in 1 minute, there is not even a single bolt.

So, I assembled, put used batteries in both copies. Surprisingly both went. I thought that when removing the arrows, I could fix something inside the old mechanism. But after about a month of work on a used battery, electricity zhor again appeared.

The "repaired" Belarusian watches ran normally, they did not eat the battery before it was supposed to. But I wouldn't be me if it ended happily ever after. Suddenly, the clock refused to function in its natural upright position. Only in horizontal! At the same time, the mechanism is spinning, but something has moved away somewhere. I shook and knocked them, no, they don’t go. Then I decided on an autopsy.

The autopsy was unsuccessful. The gears all fell out and I spent the next half an hour installing them back. At the same time, no defects were noticed by eye. The engine was running, everything was spinning. And in the assembled state, the clock still did not work.

Then for the 3rd time I went to the store for a watch and bought it. Unpacked at home, there was another mechanism inside! I was despondent. On the other hand, maybe there really was a lot of marriage on the previous model. Reassembled, hung up, everything works. The move is precise.

And just then I suddenly googled ... rukalitso.zhpg

A lot has come to light. To begin with, the fact that all mechanisms are universal, i.e. have the same size, but differ in the length of the stem on which the arrows are installed. This was done to enable the use of dials of different thicknesses, and fastening to the dial with a nut on the stem can also be provided. I even recognized one of the most common models of Chinese mechanisms - this is JL 6262. Chinese stores in a crisis sell it for about 300 rubles apiece, i.e. in pre-crisis times, the price was quite affordable. With us, I did not find anything other than wholesale in boxes. In one article, the GrandTime sweep mechanism was advertised in comparison with just this JL 6262. For it, the rejection rate is declared ≤0.05%, while JL has ≥4%, and the accuracy is 1-2 seconds per day. I wonder what percentage of the marriage I got ... For serviceable mechanisms, the operating time from an alkaline battery should be about 8-11 months and the service life of the mechanism is about 6 years. Somehow not very much. I think many people still have Soviet clocks with discrete mechanisms at home, which have been clattering for 30 years.

Thinking about the use of carcasses from IKEA watches, without any illusions, I ordered a movement from the Chinese for a sample cost of less than $ 1 (this is already with delivery), but with a longer stem for the nut (you can make a handmade one). And not so long ago, this mechanism got to me.

The quality of the plastic is ok. For the price, I was expecting some horror. Recommended to use alkaline batteries

Stem thread

Stuck a truly Chinese mechanism into an IKEA watch

The first surprise - the mechanism worked from an old battery, which I was about to throw away. But here's a slightly longer rod is not quite removed under the glass. With a slight pressure on the glass from the outside, the second hand stalled. He got out of the situation without fully inserting the glass into the latches. And it stays pretty solid. So if you are going to change the mechanism, check if you have enough length.
The second surprise is that the accuracy of this movement turned out to be higher than that of my wrist Casio!