Clockmaker - Tools

Tools

Early clockmakers fashioned all the intricate parts and wheelwork of clocks by hand, using hand tools. They developed specialized tools to help them.

• Balance Truing Caliper: This device was used in fashioning the wheels and gearwork of the clock, to make sure the wheel, particularly the balance wheel was balanced and circular. The pivots of the wheel were mounted in the caliper. An index arm was moved next to the edge and the wheel was spun to see if the edge was true.
• Die/Screw Plate: The die plate was used to cut threads on small screws. It had a number threaded of die holes of different sizes for making different threads. A piece of wire was inserted in a hole and turned to cut a thread on the end. Then a head would be formed on the other end of the wire to make a screw.
• File: Hardened steel files was used to shape the metal before it was used to make and fit wheels or plates. There were many variations of files.
• Rivet Extracting Pliers: Made of brass or steel, rivet extracting pliers were used to remove rivets from assorted clock parts.
• Jeweler’s Piercing Saw: The blade of the saw was released by undoing the thumbscrew adjacent to the handle. To start an interior cut, a hole was drilled and the blade was inserted and reattached to the saw. This device was popular among clock makers to repair the ends of clock hands.
• Staking tool: An iron vertical plunger was used with an array of stakes for placing rollers and balanced wheels on staffs.
• Turns: The "turns" was a small bow-operated lathe used for furbishing parts and for working gear blanks to size. During use, the device was clamped in a vise and the worker held a cutting or polishing tool on a tee-shaped tool rest with one hand, and shifted the bow back and forth to spin the part.
• Cross Peen Riveting Hammer: The flat end of the tool was for general use, whereas the carved peen end was used for flattening rivet heads. This tool was used for forging, riveting, striking steel, etc.