[TC5] Clock

[torso]

I have been thinking about building a C-model for some time, just to get some practise. This competition provided the perfect excuse, so now I finally have a MOC to show you.

The set I've used is 42007 Moto Cross Bike, consisting of 253 parts (extra parts were not used). This choice was just because I had already ordered it, and that it fulfilled my only requirement of having at least a few gears. After a few really simple contraptions I decided to build a clock. I've read about escapement before, but have no experience. Didn't really expect it would work, but where's the harm in trying?

One of the wheels and the small panels with their triangular tips looked like they could make a pinwheel escapement. All the simple solutions where the panels moved together failed. The spokes in the wheel are placed in pairs, and the panels will only fit in the big gaps. This meant that the panels need to move a fairly long distance from each other and with good precision. Of course they also need to do this without much friction as well as be rigid enough to be able to transfer force from the wheel to keep the pendulum going.

Getting the escapement working took a whole day. A second day was spent one making it more reliable and somewhat prettier. After scavenging straight liftarms to increase the length of the pendulum the running time increased from 9 to 13 seconds (using the full length of the chain). There are two gears left that I tried to use for increasing the time further, but it was too much. The mechanism is struggling already. For that reason I also chose the simple (and light) arm that unfortunately doesn't face the same way as the pendulum. Using the other wheel as clock face would have been great, but it was needed to provide enough weight and centering the arm on it would have been difficult anyway.

The weight that drives the clock doubles as counterweight, which makes it possible for the clock to stand on its legs despite the heavy pendulum. Once it runs out of chain it will fall off the table.

Parts left:

Edited October 28, 2014 by torso

[Rishab N]

Interesting work. Shame it only goes for such a short time

[Dapper-D2]

That's cool man! I like it!

[Zerobricks]

You turned a motorcycle into a clock? F*ck yeah! You can use one more set to improve the design, I suggest you to give it a shot!

[filsawgood]

Сool! I always liked the unusual pattern!

[gti180]

ah ah that video made me crease!

[Jeroen Ottens]

very creative and original

[torso]

Interesting work. Shame it only goes for such a short time

Just needs a longer chain. Good thing I bought two of those sets. I wonder if the combined length would bring it over 30 seconds...

You turned a motorcycle into a clock? F*ck yeah! You can use one more set to improve the design, I suggest you to give it a shot!

But if I use one more set it would no longer be a motorcycle turned into a clock.

[Tommy Styrvoky]

get some string from a set and use that for the counterweight, with a gear ratio.

[jono rocky]

A clock! would never of thought of that. Excellent job. :thumbup:

[Sylvian]

Thats really cool. Like the use of the pistons :)

[torso]

Thats really cool. Like the use of the pistons :)

Yes! Who would have thought those pieces could actually be useful.

[KirTech LAB]

very original work!!! good luck in improvements!!!

[princeofgonville]

I've started building a clock too ... but with all the Lego I've collected over [too many] years at my disposal. I can't believe you've made a clock out of *one set* !

Stunning.

The bit of the video where it falls off the table is absolutely priceless :-)

Well done mate.

[XAxles]

I can see this in a podium spot.

[Sylvian]

My favorite... really like the dawnbreaker aswell. And zblj's foxy, but this is my fav.