Clockmaking - How To Make A Clock - Part 9 - Etching, Waxing And Silvering A Chapter Ring
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- How To Make A Clock In The Home Machine Shop, Part 9, by Clickspring.
In this episode I use some relatively unusual techniques to make one of the most viewed parts of the clock: The chapter ring.
I show the chemical etching process, using photo resist and ferric chloride, as well as the traditional method of waxing and silvering a clock dial.
Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed the video please give a thumbs up, and leave me a comment.
If you would like to help support the creation of these videos, then head on over to the Clickspring Patreon page: / clickspring
You can also help me make these videos by purchasing via the following Amazon Affiliate links:
Cameras used in this video:
Panasonic GH5 - amzn.to/2rEzhh2
Panasonic X920 - amzn.to/2wzxxdT
Tools & Shop Products:
Dykem 80300 Steel Blue Layout Fluid, Brush-in-Cap (4oz): amzn.to/2HGPaJJ
"Solidworks 2013 Bible": amzn.to/2FObS1D
"Machinery's handbook": amzn.to/2pi7XE5
For more info on this build, as well as other tool making info and plans, visit www.clickspring...
Other Videos to Watch:
How To Make A Clock In The Home Machine Shop - Part 8 - Making The Barrel Arbor
• Clockmaking - How To M...
Home Machine Shop Tool Making - Machining A Pinion Head Depthing Tool - Part 1
• Home Machine Shop Tool...
Ask Me A Question:
www.clickspring...
Abbreviated Transcript:
00:40 I'll be using photoresist film to mark out the design, and it needs a completely clean alkili free surface to do its thing. So I scrubbed the surface with emery paper and household vinegar and then cleaned it off with acetone. The result was a clean fresh metal surface.
01:01 I'm going to need this later on, so I'm mixing up the developer solution now. It's a mild alkiline solution thats used to dissolve the unexposed photoresist. The photoresist reacts to UV light, so all work from here on must be done under a yellow light.
01:30 And this is the photoresist. It's a thin light sensitive film, slightly sticky to the touch. It has 3 layers: The photosensitive layer is sandwiched between 2 removable coatings.
02:23 Now if all of the preparation has gone well, then the bond will be strong, and the resist will be well attached across the entire surface of the metal. I've made a simple light box to expose the resist, and a sheet of glass sits on top to position the work.
02 The dial artwork has been printed onto a clear film.
03:52 For the most part, the exposed resist forms a nice crisp line, but inevitably there are small printing flaws that need to be removed like these small dots. I scraped these off with the sharp point of the scriber.
04:22 I glued some small plastic risers on the corners to keep the plate above the bottom surface of the etchant bath, and I've also used clear tape to seal off all of the other surfaces. This center punch mark will help me position the work on the lathe, later on.
04:44 So after all of that preparation, it's finally time to do some etching, and the etchant that I'm using is ferric chloride.
05:15 After sitting in the etch solution for about an hour and a half, the surface is nicely etched, and its ready for the next step. A strong alkaline solution is normally specified to remove the resist, but have a look at what a great job acetone does, its hard to beat that. OK so that's the etching process complete.
05:47 The etched surface is quite pitted, but the edges are crisp, and the overall depth is perfect for accepting the shellac wax. What I need to do now is trim off this excess brass, and form the ring shape. Another job for a super glue arbor on the lathe.
06:39 Traditional dial wax is basically a colored shellac, so in its natural state its quite hard and brittle. But it melts to a sort of maple syrup consistency under a gentle heat. While its in that fluid state, it can be worked into all of the lines and numerals.
07:11 And that brings me to the final step that really makes the chapter ring come to life: The silvering.
07:34 The silvering compound was mixed with a small amount of water, to form a thin paste, and then it was applied by hand. And then it was followed in a similar way with the finishing compound. A gentle heat with the torch finishes off the process, by melting the sanded wax surface, and making it shiny again. A single coat of lacquer, and it's done.
References:
Tony Moss's Excellent Sundial Etching Series:
• Lindisun photo etching...
• Lindisun photo etching...
John Wilding "Large Wheel Skeleton Clock" construction book can be purchased online from Ian T Cobb:
www.clockmaking...
How To Make A Clock In The Home Machine Shop, Part 9, by Clickspring.
If all of youtube was like this the advancement of knowledge would be incalculable.
+cvcoco Too bad its just teens playing video games.
and keemstar talking shit all over the day
I agree, I have learned so much today its unbelievable, sure its going to take some practise, but the amount of tips and tricks just watching this, you could take a degree in watchmaking within a week. A if a whole series of these throughout the arts and sciences, engineering, and others would make such an educated capable being...imagine watching such quality condensed learning week in week out with practical workshops setup to go to or complete kits of all the parts and tools to be supplied to your house in a box or l building a local skill center where they had ten benches with all these tools laid on. Not incomplete ill equipped technical schools with bits missing but where you could work through the modules at your own pace and with an overall instructor that came round doing one to one with the pupils.....it would be a great way to really learn
@@chrisblythe1006 That would be an incredible way to get an idea of how an industry functioned for a perspective pupil, or as practical experience for a current employee in that field, but it would NOT work for the actual education (or at least not all of it).
Engineering for example takes YEARS of math and physics courses alone, and while this would assist those classes (especially if the curriculum was woven together well), those skills do not just occur to students while they are using a lathe or other tool.
Indubitably!
this guy has to be the most precise machinist ive seen on youtube
he is like a machine.... a robot.... very inspirational...
I'd kind of disagree. Every decent machinist I've wached on UA-cam have all worked in the range of one thou for every measure on the workpiece - even on projects where overall lengths are measured in feet. Proper machinists are all very precise;)!
I disagree, not as a jab to Chris, but because a lot of what he does is more of clock making than machining. And the clock making techniques allow for lower precision, given that they were developed way before modern machines like lathes and mills.
Aistlander I disagree. This article is not about precision, it's about craftmanship. I rest my case.!!
you bet :) maybe the best in the business :) :)
What I love about your videos actually has precious little to do with clockmaking. Your patient, calm tone of voice helps me relax even after a bad day at work, and your steadfast attention to detail and quality inspires me to seek similar levels of workmanship in whatever I do (in my case programming).
Thank you, Chris.
Thank you Ash, very much appreciate your kind words :)
This is truly a piece of art!
Stefan Gotteswinter Thanks very much Stefan!
It is so neat to see precision objects being made from raw materials.
oisiaa I love it too, it's a really satisfying thing. Check out the work by Marco Terenzi: www.marcoterenzi.com/work/ Absolutely stunning.
the production quality of these videos is exceptional, and that before mentioning the craftsmanship being displayed. Beautifully produced videos of an exquisite workmanship.
+T FourZeroSevenSeven Thank you very much for taking the time to watch :)
+Clickspring how long did it take for you to learn all of this, and is it quite expensive?
Lee Han I've been adding parts and stock and machines and everything else. $10,000 is what I'm up to so far and I'm not even close. And to start off at knowing nothing? You're going to want to find any scrap metal you can find for practicing. Buying it all will send the number through the roof. Can't do it over night. Start small, and grow :)
I've been watching these bit by bit and this one is a particular work of art. Congratulations on keeping an old tradition alive!
Christopher Soto Thanks for watching Christopher!
Each subsequent video in this series puts me in a higher state of awe.
Just when I think the craftsmanship can't get any better, you go and trump it.
*_I'M BLOWN AWAY._*
*_TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY !_*
Hey, thats cool! Using this same method of etching, you can create home made circuit boards. Only, instead of using solid brass, you use copper clad fiberglass - then you etch away the copper where you dont want PCB traces.
As a long time electronics enthusiast, who is just getting into watches and clocks, i thought that was a really cool example of the same process being used for 2 conpletely different goals
If awards were given out for You Tube videos, you deserve an Oscar. The lighting, camera angles, narration....everything are pretty close to perfect. Never had an interest clock making before.
***** Thank you very much Rod! Very pleased you're enjoying it :)
I love your videos. I don't know anything about machining or anything but it's so calming to watch your work after a stressful day. Thank you.
+DelfinManny Terrific to hear that, I appreciate you taking the time to watch
I used to watch Steffen Pahlow for traditional watchmaking with precision tools. Since I have found your channel, I am still in awe of your amazing skill and your techniques which are far more available to me. You are a true craftsman and I look forward to continually viewing all of your projects. Works of art, I tell you.
Sean Harris Hey Sean, very pleased to have you on board mate! More vids on the way - of course the clock episodes, but also some more tools specific to clockmaking. Thanks for taking the time to check it out.
Amazing. This is almost exactly how homebrew printed circuit boards are made. Of course, your end result is truly a piece of art. Great job.
+Rouverius Cheers mate, thanks very much for watching.
I have never witnessed such professional and perfect work done like this in my life.
+Michael Domenichiello Great to have you watching Michael :)
I have discovered your videos at exactly the right time. I inherited an 18th Century long case clock a few weeks ago. It's generally in good condition but the black numerals are mostly worn. I had no idea what was used to fill in the etched numerals until I watched this video.
Once again, you have amazed me with the quality of your work and informed me at the same time. Thank you very much.
I've only just recently subscribed to your channel, but for the last week or so I've been watching this series while I make dinner. As someone with mainly a background in electronics engineering and woodworking, this metal machining is like a whole new wonderful world to explore. Watching a clock being born from raw metal is just a beautiful thing to see. The quality of your video work should be noted too. Amazing job, man!
+Organgrinder010 Thanks very much! I appreciate you taking the time to watch :)
I watch these just because I like watching turning and milling. This one makes it look so easy
That is insanely beautiful! I am a welder and your precision work puts mine to shame.
You wouldn't want to see my welding! Terrific to have you watching Abbey :)
+Clickspring hehe, wonderful channel.
i do have to say, your videography is flawless. love the work you do and the quality of your workmanship.
Thank you WW, very much appreciate the kind words
Two words keep coming to mind when I watch you vids Chris.... Precision and Art. Cheers mate :)
Jess Neal Thanks very much Jess :)
You are a true craftsman, I really like how you keep your work area nice and clean. Your attention to detail is top notch, I am a certified tool & die maker and your videos are very inspiring.
+adam cain Terrific to have you watching Adam :)
I might not be making a clock (yet) but the materials used to etch, wax and silver the brass is immensely helpful! Thank you!
It's not often that I comment on a video but your workmanship is extraordinary. Thank you for sharing.
+JuanAngel Garcia Cheers JuanAngel, I appreciate you taking the time to watch :)
Your level of fine craftsmanship is simply stunning!
Absolutely precise, fantastic work !
I love your clockmaking channel.
Michal Rimmerak Terrific Michal, thanks very much for watching!
Clickspring I don´t know, which is better.Your machining precision, or video cutting/editing precision :-)
I wish you good luck with clockmaking :-)
You make it all look so easy but I know that it is in no way what so ever and very time consuming.
Great work!
Hello I am from Russia. I watch your every video. Really like.
jelacce Terrific jelacce, thank you for watching.
I always love your work! I'm restoring a large tower clock and have to make some wheels that are 5" diameter brass. The cost of brass right now (August 2021) is astronomical, your clocks must cost a lot to make. I'm starting to melt my own brass from shavings and scraps.
Mister your hands are in gold a perfect job !!! thank for the share ...Sorry for my English langage I'm a french man living at Isigny sur Mer in France Normandy ...
This is absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for taking us along on this project. I eagerly look forward to every new installment. Please keep going!
***** Cheers Pat, will do!
I love it! I didn't realize it was a solid piece of brass until I actually saw the final result! Gorgeous!
***** Thank you!
Can I just say the video making and lighting is just as exquisite as the engineering, I'm gobsmacked!
This is the best channel on UA-cam😀
You craft your videos as beautifully as you turn brass. I'm astonished and inspired by your artistry and attention to detail. You're a unique presence on youtube. Cheers!
+Caleb Courteau Thanks for the kind words Caleb, I very much appreciate your support :)
This is the best machining channel on UA-cam!
noskill52 Thank you so much for tuning in :)
I thank you for making videos :D
I CANNOT STOP WATCHING THESE VIDEOS! Thanks for taking the time to film your work. What a gratifying hobby this must be.
+Dean Diamond Great to have you watching Dean :)
You are my favorite channel and I look forward to your videos weekly. The production quality is fantastic but I always find myself jealous of your home shop and abilities. It truly is a pleasure to watch your videos
Fantastic workmanship, I'm becoming addicted to your videos.
Chris absolutely fantastic all your videos, the amazing technique and knowledge, precision, perfection. All the time you take editing the videos. Thanks for sharing, an absolute pleasure to see all your creations !!!! Congratulations !!! Jean
Thanks for the encouragement Jean, I appreciate you taking the time to watch :)
You made the card press for Chris and I'm now following your videos. Thank you for the precision, it's excellent.
I followed your photoresist etching method and it worked out way better than toner transfer paper. Thanks so much!
This is absolutely amazing. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite UA-cam channels.
Davros Terrific Davros, thanks for taking the time to watch.
Chris, in all my years practicing horology I've never done chemical etching and this was absolutely fascinating! Thanks again for bringing us along on this build. Scott
MrToolhunter Thank you for your support mate, appreciate it.
That silvery bronze colour is amazing. I wish I had things around me with that colour.
Make them, you now know how :)
I can not stop watching over and over each of your videos. Fascinating
Ferlopag Terrific, thank you!
your work is incredibly impressive. such perfection is a joy to watch
Thanks for posting these videos! You inspire me to get back to making my astro regulator I started many years ago. Now all I need is some 'spare' time.
your indicators are very encouraging, they don't danse and clap for this really god! job !!!!
Robert Patoine Ha Ha! They're a tough crowd Robert!
I should really go to sleep but I keep clicking the next video.
Fantastic stuff.
+Harty1275 Awesome! sleep later :)
Amazing...I've seen all your videos and seriously think this one is the best. Your skills are out of this world.
+born2burn1 Thanks for watching :)
These videos are mind blowing in their quality and joy in watching. And your breadth of knowledge and attention to detail is to be admired.
+Plain 'Ol Beekeeping in Plano, TX Thank you for the kind words, great to have you watching :)
I just found this channel and I can't stop watching this seri
Thats truly astonishing! Thank you for sharing such awesome show of craftsmanship and attention to detail :)
mictho100 Thanks for your support mate.
Amazing work! I used to do a similar process a few years ago, with copper electronic boards, to expose the copper and leave out the electric circuit.
Keep up the good work!
***** Thanks for watching Paul!
I've just found Clickspring by chance and have watched this build up to No. 8 and I am amazed at the quality of the machining, the video clarity and the sound. It would be hard to improve on, and I agree with the comments recently made by Ash.
Thanks for a great site.
Cheer Jon, thanks for the encouragement :)
This is one of the few videos that I've actually talked out loud to: "Holy Crap. Holy crap." Your work is amazing, and your attention to detail is stunning. I'm genuinely in awe.
Wow . This is my favourite part of hour build
After this video I will really value all old hand made things your videos are like blessings to me 👍👍 ADROIT .
This is my favorite video out of the whole clockmaking series. Such a nice final part!
I like how it says amateur clock maker at the beginning of each video. Talk about humility.
Wow! I have an exam tomorrow and i needed something relaxing to watch! Thank you!
Enrico Silvagni Good luck with the exam!
You are amazing I love this series. I can remember photo etching Copper Circuit boards but this is a work of art and precision.
Wow one of the first chemical etchings I have saw demonstrated, with outstanding results, You should be very pleased with the results, great work Chris, enjoyed
TIM WILSON Yes very pleased with the result Tim, thanks for tuning in mate.
What an incredible looking design. I'm also a big fan of the superb video quality!
Absolutely stunning. What an amazing process to produce such a gorgeous result.
I was always put off engraving dials on the lathe because it looked just too difficult to get really good results. This technique looks so much better the design is only limited to what you can draw in CAD or a drawing package. Thanks for yet another inspirational video!
+Andrew Deacon Cheers Andrew!
TFS Chris, That was a pleasure to watch, the ruler sander was a neat idea:) Best Regards G
You are an engineer and an artist mate! loving this series!
+Ryan A Cheers Ryan, thanks very much for watching :)
I found this video series about days ago and Ive watched every video back to back, now I have to sit and wait for the next one. Amazing work, man. Keep it up!!
That's what I call a labor or love. Hope you're getting paid very well, there's enough work involved for sure. Beautiful work mate!
I'm speechless! Your work is amazing!
+MegaInformazione Thanks for watching
This video just blew my mind. big thumbs up mate! ❤
God, ClickSpring, you are so talented! Thanks for this series.. Your videos are hypnotic..
Ive seen the all 22 episodes and this one was my favorite (aside from the final assembly). I really enjoyed watching you make the clock and Ive learned a few things along the way. Thank you for these amazing videos. keep up the good work
Lovely work yet again. So good to watch.
You are a straight up genius!
Just incredible... Great work Chris.
Watching some of this series for the second time. This is perhaps my favourite, it’s beautiful mate.
I am just blown away by your work. Fantastic!
+Vance Rutherford Thanks very much Vance, appreciate you taking the time to watch :)
Amazing workmanship!
Absolutely amazing 😍😍
Wow, that turned out really nicely. I like the effect of the shellac. Definitely going to try that on a project.
DammitCoetzee Terrific DC, thanks for watching.
I think i have had the series on repeat for the last 2 months out in my shed,
top work mate, very well recorded and top quality work
can't wait to get my new mill spitting swarf and making jobs
i can see by a few hints here and there that your an aussie,
wish i could check out your workshop one day
+Mark Watts Great to have you watching Mark :)
Your videos are informative and perfectly filmed. Thank you
+damy340043 Cheers mate, thanks for watching.
You sir have found yourself a new subscriber. Excellent work and quality of the videos are exceptional.
+flangmasterj Thanks for taking the time to check it out, I appreciate your sub.
Really like the way you shoot your video's. Maybe the best I've watched the last few years. Keep up the good work! Regards from Holland
Christian Vossen Thanks very much for taking the time to watch Christian.
Stunning. I believe I may become a Patreon member. Your work is impeccable and the videos are amazing!
You deserve more subs. Saw you on make, and this has to be the most beginer friendly video series on youtube. I have been on youtube for five years and this video was so welcoming. Good luck man.
saral tayal Thanks very much ST.
Clickspring, I'm just going to end up echoing what others have already expressed, but, thank you for taking the time to produce these videos! They are extremely well put together! Having produced how-to videos for another one of my channels I know how time consuming each of these shots can be. You have done a phenomenal job! From the photography, editing, lighting, to the wonderful voice over work, it is all top, top quality work! Regardless of the subject matter being presented. However, the only thing that comes close to rivaling the quality of your production quality is the level of craftsmanship being displayed in the video. It just adds a whole other level of quality to this series. A pure joy to watch! Thank you so much for taking the time to produce this series. I just had to take a moment to let you know this before I continue enjoying the rest of this amazingly fascinating series.
+Scott Paynton Cheers Scott, very much appreciate your kind words :)
Absolutely stunning. The etching I know about is a lot more complicated than what you did! I am taking notes and waiting for the next episode.
Juan Rivero Thanks for your continued support Juan :)
Clickspring Clockmakers of the world, unite! :)
That was super cool. Love this series.
+Alex Gordon Thanks for watching Alex.
True craftsman!!! I enjoy and am awed by your attention to detail.
SAA 77 Thank you for taking the time to watch
You make it look so effortless Chris... amazing. lost for words mate!
Tim
NZ
metaling1 Cheers Tim, thanks for watching mate!
Thank you for showing the process so well. Beautiful work.
Ben Brandt Cheers Ben, thanks for watching :)
It seems you studied a lot to make this.. I watched the whole series, and this is absolute perfection...
Hi Chris,
I always wondered how this was done. Very cool watching it all come together. Inspiring.
That is a great workbench you made also.
Cheers
Franky
Winsome Hall Thanks Franky, that bench will last me a lifetime!
Stunning workmanship, amazing video quality. Inspirational.
+Des Owen Great to have your support Des, thank you.
Awesome work, i was blown away how wonderful it came out
dhju8 Thank you!
Thanks for taking us through all the steps, it really came out beautiful.
tinylogic Thanks very much for watching.
Pure Art and just an absolute Pleasure see it all be done so skillfully. Thank you for all your amazing Vids.
+FamosShamous Thanks FS, great to have you watching :)