Clockmaking - How To Make A Clock - Part 9 - Etching, Waxing And Silvering A Chapter Ring

How To Make A Clock In The Home Machine Shop, Part 9, by Clickspring.

In this episode I use some relatively unusual techniques to make one of the most viewed parts of the clock: The chapter ring.

I show the chemical etching process, using photo resist and ferric chloride, as well as the traditional method of waxing and silvering a clock dial.

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Other Videos to Watch:

How To Make A Clock In The Home Machine Shop - Part 8 - Making The Barrel Arbor

Home Machine Shop Tool Making - Machining A Pinion Head Depthing Tool - Part 1

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Abbreviated Transcript:

00:40 I'll be using photoresist film to mark out the design, and it needs a completely clean alkili free surface to do its thing. So I scrubbed the surface with emery paper and household vinegar and then cleaned it off with acetone. The result was a clean fresh metal surface.
01:01 I'm going to need this later on, so I'm mixing up the developer solution now. It's a mild alkiline solution thats used to dissolve the unexposed photoresist. The photoresist reacts to UV light, so all work from here on must be done under a yellow light.
01:30 And this is the photoresist. It's a thin light sensitive film, slightly sticky to the touch. It has 3 layers: The photosensitive layer is sandwiched between 2 removable coatings.
02:23 Now if all of the preparation has gone well, then the bond will be strong, and the resist will be well attached across the entire surface of the metal. I've made a simple light box to expose the resist, and a sheet of glass sits on top to position the work.
02 The dial artwork has been printed onto a clear film.
03:52 For the most part, the exposed resist forms a nice crisp line, but inevitably there are small printing flaws that need to be removed like these small dots. I scraped these off with the sharp point of the scriber.
04:22 I glued some small plastic risers on the corners to keep the plate above the bottom surface of the etchant bath, and I've also used clear tape to seal off all of the other surfaces. This center punch mark will help me position the work on the lathe, later on.
04:44 So after all of that preparation, it's finally time to do some etching, and the etchant that I'm using is ferric chloride.
05:15 After sitting in the etch solution for about an hour and a half, the surface is nicely etched, and its ready for the next step. A strong alkaline solution is normally specified to remove the resist, but have a look at what a great job acetone does, its hard to beat that. OK so that's the etching process complete.
05:47 The etched surface is quite pitted, but the edges are crisp, and the overall depth is perfect for accepting the shellac wax. What I need to do now is trim off this excess brass, and form the ring shape. Another job for a super glue arbor on the lathe.
06:39 Traditional dial wax is basically a colored shellac, so in its natural state its quite hard and brittle. But it melts to a sort of maple syrup consistency under a gentle heat. While its in that fluid state, it can be worked into all of the lines and numerals.
07:11 And that brings me to the final step that really makes the chapter ring come to life: The silvering.
07:34 The silvering compound was mixed with a small amount of water, to form a thin paste, and then it was applied by hand. And then it was followed in a similar way with the finishing compound. A gentle heat with the torch finishes off the process, by melting the sanded wax surface, and making it shiny again. A single coat of lacquer, and it's done.

References:

Tony Moss's Excellent Sundial Etching Series:

John Wilding "Large Wheel Skeleton Clock" construction book can be purchased online from Ian T Cobb:

How To Make A Clock In The Home Machine Shop, Part 9, by Clickspring.

[cvcoco]

If all of youtube was like this the advancement of knowledge would be incalculable.

[AshMenon]

What I love about your videos actually has precious little to do with clockmaking. Your patient, calm tone of voice helps me relax even after a bad day at work, and your steadfast attention to detail and quality inspires me to seek similar levels of workmanship in whatever I do (in my case programming).

Thank you, Chris.

[claudekim]

this guy has to be the most precise machinist ive seen on youtube

[oisiaa]

It is so neat to see precision objects being made from raw materials.

[Bodragon]

Each subsequent video in this series puts me in a higher state of awe.
Just when I think the craftsmanship can't get any better, you go and trump it.
*_I'M BLOWN AWAY._*
*_TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY !_*

[christophers]

I've been watching these bit by bit and this one is a particular work of art. Congratulations on keeping an old tradition alive!

[tfourzerosevenseven]

the production quality of these videos is exceptional, and that before mentioning the craftsmanship being displayed. Beautifully produced videos of an exquisite workmanship.

[TheHivesbane]

I love your videos. I don't know anything about machining or anything but it's so calming to watch your work after a stressful day. Thank you.

[joshuarosen]

I have discovered your videos at exactly the right time. I inherited an 18th Century long case clock a few weeks ago. It's generally in good condition but the black numerals are mostly worn. I had no idea what was used to fill in the etched numerals until I watched this video.

Once again, you have amazed me with the quality of your work and informed me at the same time. Thank you very much.

[blackbird]

Hey, thats cool! Using this same method of etching, you can create home made circuit boards. Only, instead of using solid brass, you use copper clad fiberglass - then you etch away the copper where you dont want PCB traces.

As a long time electronics enthusiast, who is just getting into watches and clocks, i thought that was a really cool example of the same process being used for 2 conpletely different goals

[hardrocklobsterroll]

You are my favorite channel and I look forward to your videos weekly. The production quality is fantastic but I always find myself jealous of your home shop and abilities. It truly is a pleasure to watch your videos

[dtiydr]

You make it all look so easy but I know that it is in no way what so ever and very time consuming.

Great work!

[seasonedtoker]

I watch these just because I like watching turning and milling. This one makes it look so easy

[mikedome]

I have never witnessed such professional and perfect work done like this in my life.

[terencemcculloch]

Can I just say the video making and lighting is just as exquisite as the engineering, I'm gobsmacked!

[MiddletoM]

your work is incredibly impressive. such perfection is a joy to watch

[dickda]

Your level of fine craftsmanship is simply stunning!

[Diligent_Tom]

I might not be making a clock (yet) but the materials used to etch, wax and silver the brass is immensely helpful! Thank you!

[brasshouse-fireball]

I like how it says amateur clock maker at the beginning of each video. Talk about humility.

[PatEm]

This is absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for taking us along on this project. I eagerly look forward to every new installment. Please keep going!