This is a demonstration model of a single axis flying tourbillon made in wood. It has a Swiss lever escapement and runs for 3 mins with a 150g weight. The hairspring is 3d printed plastic. Demountable weights on the balance wheel (5p coins) can demonstrate the relationship of frequency to oscillating mass. This is a good demonstration of the action of a lever escapement.
Tourbillions interested me after seeing how they work. I built a 3D printed version much like your wood version. Maybe you wood share some of the laser files you used to make this?
ReplyDeleteHi Nigel,
ReplyDeleteI've only just found you, your blog and your tourbillon - it's beautiful!
Being the idiot that I am, I'm just about to start work on a wooden three axis flying tourbillon. I'm completely understanding that they are not the easiest of things to build, but I'm going by the principle that nobody has told me that it's not possible, so why not...? Seeing your machine tonight has given me a much needed boost of confidence. It's also made me realise that there's no reason at all why it shouldn't work, even with the extra couple of rotational axis and associated gearing thrown in. I'm just going to have to eliminate as much friction as possible as I go.
I've never actually built a clock, let alone constructed an escapement, so what could possibly go wrong...? I have however, built 15 wooden orreries, and nine wooden, fully functional replicas of the ancient Greek Antikythera Mechanism, so I'm pretty good at gear cutting (I use a scrollsaw for everything), and the rest I'll probably make up and learn as I go along. It should be fun! Possibly...
Anyhow, I love your work, and IF I ever get mine running I'll let you know.
All the best,
Dave Goodchild.
davidgoodchild69@gmail.com
Give me a clock plans
ReplyDeleteNigel,
ReplyDeleteYour mechanisms design is elegant and well crafted. Had you ever thought of putting the plans up on Instructables.com? I'd honestly pay to get the design specs and instructions for construction... this is just way to cool not to share, friend.
Marcus Alden Meredith