In tne early years of the 19th Century some American clock makers were making shelf or mantel clocks with wooden movements.Gear wheels were made often from cherry or other hardwood and carefull assembled for smooth running.Some of these clocks are still to be found and are now high priced antiques with price tags in the thousands of dollars.Many collectors can't afford them naturally but modern reproduction kits and plans can be found.

Even earlier in the 1700s, tall case grandfather clocks with wooden works were being made by many clockmakers.The tall case left room for the weights which drive the clock to fall further so that the clock would run longer before needing to have the weights raised to the top again.

Building a wooden gear clock takes time and care in the workmanship but it is not really difficult to produce a good working clock. The average home crafter with some wood working skills can do it with simple hand tools just as the early clock makers did. The result can be a fine family heirloom which will pass from generation to generation.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has on display a rare and beautiful wooden gear shelf clock which was made in the early 1800s. This fine clock is still in running order after 200 years. It has been carefully measured and detailed drawings made. These plans with complete building instructions are available for purchase. They show complete details of all the working parts and how they fit together. The case of the clock is also presented in detailed drawings showing every part as it is in the original antique clock.

Building wooden gear clocks is a great hobby for the craftsman, and anyone can be a craftsman; it only takes careful work.This is not the type of project which can be completed in a few evenings. Rather it is a project for the person who takes great pride in the quality of their work and will spend whatever time is necessary to do a perfect job.The individual parts of such a clock are of very simple design and quite easy to make. To run smoothly each part must be finished properly so that the clock will keep good time.

To summarise, building a wooden gear clock is perfectly within the ability of almost anyone. A copy of a fine antique clock when well made is hard to tell from an original at first sight. Close inspection by an expert will, of course, show the new wood and materials used to build it establishing its origin beyond doubt. All those who see the clock will admire it as a thing of beauty.It will tick tock away the hours and keep good time for a lifetime and likely for many decades after that.