Thread: Haunted Grandfather Clock

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So I've wanted to make a Halloween Grandfather Clock for the longest time. I have a great place in my living room where it would fit perfectly. Well 2011 is the year so I thought I would share my progress. I have a lot of work left but here is the clock so far.

My pendulum weight is a skull. When done it will speak on the hour after the chimes:



The pendulum shaft was a really tough decision. Originally it was going to be just a piece of PVC spray painted a brass color and then I complete changed direction and went with a spinal column and a pelvis.



Attached this to an aluminum bar and bent the bar to fit and balance out the weight so it hung straight.





Okay so now I actually need the clock to put this all in. Basic construction is all Lowe's select pine and luan plywood. First piece was the center of the clock so I could work on the wiper motor and linkage for the pendulum.



Then the base:



and finally the top (this is with the Walmart wall clock that fit the mood):




So we have all 3 pieces assembled with the pendulum installed and swinging. I'll post some video when I get a chance.



I'll post some pictures of the linkage soon.

There's still a lot to be done but the major construction is finished. I need some new pictures as I've enclosed the sides and made and hung the doors too.

Sally really likes it and asked me to make her a coffee table. Yeah, right. Like that will ever happen.

AMAZING...can't wait to see it finished!

cool prop, I love bone furniture.............

WOW! That is AWESOME!!! And that walmart clock looks very antiquey - perfect.

btw- love your pvc candles, too.

Originally Posted by creeeepycathy

WOW! That is AWESOME!!! And that walmart clock looks very antiquey - perfect.

btw- love your pvc candles, too.

Thanks, I forgot they were in the picture.

As promised here are some pics of the motor and linkage. It's a simple wiper motor and an aluminum bar attached to the standard wiper motor crank.



So to make the clock tick it finally came to me in a daydream. I had all sorts of ideas for mechanical mechanisms, fake gears, springs and someone even suggested a metronome. I even was going to use an ambient audio looping of a clock ticking (of course that would go out of sync eventually). Solution was a 12 VDC relay and some contacts on the pendulum shaft. This way it's always in sync even if I change the pendulum speed. Mocked it up with some alligator clips, power supply and a relay. Sounds good to me.



Many things still to do:

Lighting
Sounds
Accessorize around the clock face
Paint/Finish

The decorative pieces on the top are out, Sally has some finials from a curtain rod she's tossing away and we think they look better than what's there now. I'll have to rip those pieces off and putty up the holes.

More to come...

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!! very cool awesome work.

Love your nice workshop too!!

I don't understand all that motor talk. But hurry up and get it painted. Really want to see it finished.

Looks great. Great Job!

Wow, this is fantastic!