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Here is another cool Gakken kit from the Maker Shed. This time, no pun intended, it's the Gravity Clock kit. As with all Gakken kits, it is a really well made kit with great pictorial instructions. I'll be making this kit over the next week and I'll post a video when I'm done.
Build your own beautiful gravity clock, customize it using own counter weight! Instructions are in Japanese but features highly detailed assembly pictures, sorry no English translation at this time. Easy to build. Made of high impact plastic.
This kit comes with an issue of the Gakken magazine. Yes, it's in Japanese, but it's still a lot of fun to flip through. You can always find some really interesting pictures and products from Japan.
More about the Gakken Gravity Clock kit
This post reminded me of this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Your-Working-Paper-Clock/dp/0060910666/
I'd love to have one of these but I know I just end up going crazy trying to get it just right.
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For the clock lover/maker, check out this blog:
http://www.northcoastimports.com/press.htm
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I built this very well designed kit, which was great fun.
But I wonder, has anyone had success in calibrating it to within an hour a day? If so, please post some pointers.
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I haven't finished mine yet, but when I do I will I will post an update, including any tips on calibration.
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Problems with this clock: there is no minute hand, and unless you have a long string, very high walls and a tall ladder it will not run for a day without winding. These make it not a usable clock. Next, very small screws with Phillips heads going into tough plastic - the slots wear rapidly. Two of them I could not get to go in all the way. And this may be a design error: while you are winding it the hour hand moves backwards, so every time you wind you have to reset the clock.
I tried using a Coke can full of water as a weight, but when the string unwinds to the inner side of the drum the can rubs against the wall.
When I first got it going it ran to within 16%. Regulating by screwing the two weights in and out seems feasible. I wonder if adjusting the main weight affects the timekeeping.
I wonder what some of the Japanese says. For instance, what's with the CD?
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