Hour Wheel variations

I wonder how things would look if we replace the hour wheel with a small one, triggered by a simple pin on the back of the minute wheel.  It would then advance in whole hours (still moving counter clockwise). First with the existing two-fall compound pulley present - but this gives a very mucky frame. Secondly with a simple fall to the weight, assuming that the winding pulley diameter can be halved (so that it will still run for 24+ hours) and a larger hour wheel.  We will have to watch that the weight does not hit the ends of the verge. Very unattractive hour wheel, but the number of components has been reduced and an extra different mechanism added to the design. So perhaps a way to go would be to put the winding pulley behind the minute wheel and retain the original hour wheel and two-fall pulley system. This keeps the appearance, but really complicates the winding.  We will have to introduce teeth on to the back of the winding pulley and add a winding-gear so that a key can be attached to it through the minute wheel. What the heck - why not completely remove the hour wheel, that will be the simplest system to make initially. Whoops - I've just noticed that without the pulleys I've put the string on the wrong side of the winding pulley!

Next page Content Menu

 

.