How to Build an Early Medieval Clock

This page describes where to order instructions for building an early Medieval style woodenworks clock for less than $60 (US), including the cost of the instructions, in 20-40 hours. (That cost does not include the cost of tools.)

Mechanical clocks with verge and foliot escapements began showing up in Europe in the early 1300's and, although the currently extant specimens are made of metal, there is evidence to suggest that wood was not an uncommon material for making the works out of.

Kits for verge and foliot clocks are available, but they are either made in unattractive plastic (yech!) or are pressed paper or cardboard, which simply doesn't last very long. Unsatisfied with what I found on the market, I researched the subject of medieval clock building for a few years, doing both literature searches and examining actual period clocks, and then set about building my own medieval styled clocks with wooden works.

Then, to top it off, I "wrote the book". (I have put a short excerpt from the book on-line at http://www.thescholarsgarret.com/clock/excerpt.html)

The book is 40+ pages, with illustrations and photographs and with measured drawings where appropriate. It is comb-bound and will easily lie flat. It not only describes how to build the clock, but details how to build the various jigs and tools that you'll need to build any sort of woodenworks clock and informatoin that will allow you to design a clock of your own.

What does it look like? Click on the thumbnail picture, below, for a larger (about 41k) picture:

The book costs $15 (US Dollars) plus $5 shipping and handling and will be shipped within a week of payment. Preferred method of payment is by money order, but personal cheques are acceptable as long as you don't mind waiting a week or two longer for the cheque to clear.

Some overseas customers have found it to be less expensive to simply send cash. If you choose to send cash, I recommend that you place something opaque in the envelope (such as a square of aluminum foil) so that you cannot tell that there is currency inside by holding it up to the light.

Interested? Print out the handy order form and send it to the person who actually ships the books:

Heather Gray
38 Barnes Road, Apt. B
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
U.S.A.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of lulu.com's "Print on Demand" service, which accepts credit cards and PayPal:

Questions? Contact me

Please note: On 18 Sep 02 it was pointed out to me that a number of books shipped with a printing error that left them missing page 2 and page 4. Follow the links for .pdf versions of the missing pages. -D.

Main page | Order form | Excerpt from book