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Resurrecting the Phoenix Clock
Growing up with my grandparents I was always intrigued by the mysterious wooden clock in their attic. It was in pieces so I wasn’t sure exactly what it looked like but I could tell it was an open design skeleton clock where you could see the gears and escapement. So naturally my gearhead self was fascinated. The legend behind the clock was that it was bought as a clock kit for my great-grandfather in the ‘80s. He was able to get it all together, but he passed away before he could get it fully running. So for 30 years it sat in that attic. It wasn’t until 3 years ago that I could try my hand at it, but being neither a clockmaker or horologist, I didn’t have much luck getting it to move longer than a couple minutes. But today I aim to change that!
7 responses to “Resurrecting the Phoenix Clock”
Any chance, you would scan and share a pdf of that kessner clock manual? There are plenty of 3d models or wood patersn for “skeleton clocks” but none that have good detailed instructions. Ive been working on designing my own wood clock but im still not there, seems like this manual contains enough info for someone trying to design their own… not to mention that one in a million other person who inherited a set of parts just like you… I an sure it would be greatly appreciated by many, and most certainly by me if you published it.
I’ll certainly see what I can do. I’ve had a lot of people suggest doing this as well. There aren’t any dimensions listed but I’m sure a someone could come up with something based on the illustrations. Plus I know it would have helped me tremendously had I found a copy online. Thanks!
A PDF of that would be fantastic! I saw the reference on Instagram that this clock was coming, and now that it has hit on YouTube, I think this is fantastic. It would definitely be a long project, but one that I am interested in. I cannot find a Kassner kit still available at all, and this is a beautiful piece of work. While there are “wooden clock kits” on amazon, most seem to have an internal clock itself instead of being mechanical in nature, and this one looks to be simple enough (not an overabundance of gears).
Thanks for the video!
Really enjoyed the superb content and presentation of your video. I think there is an old link for me; I went to school in the 1960’s and graduated with my BS in Metallurgy from what was known then as the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla. One of the professors there made wood clock kits – Jim Kassner. He was Professor and Researcher at the University of Missouri at Rolla and Director of Cloud Physics Research Center. He died in 2015 in Northport, Alabama at 84. His obituary said he was a woodworker, and looking a bit more, he had a company in Rolla that sold wooden clocks. Again, a small world.
I too am looking forward to the pdf on the materials you have.
Small world indeed! No doubt that this is the same Jim Kassner. From the correspondence I showed in the video, the company was based in Rolla but was going through a relocation to Tuscaloosa/Northport in the late 80’s. Jim sounded like a very interesting man. I wish I’d have gotten the chance to meet him. Thanks so much for sharing. Sheds a little light on someone who is mostly a mystery to me.
I’d love a go at making this a Fusion 360 file and drawings. If you get a scan of the orginal paper work then I’d beable to make the transfer and return a copy to you.
Cool! I’ll try to remember to reach out to you when I get that sorted out