Both quantity and quality of mart offerings consistently achieve outstanding levels at Ch. 148's January mart. For example, many attendees remarked on a Howard #70 regulator with natural oak finish. Member and table holder Chester Hicks, who is also a clock repairer of the highest caliber, offered this fine and unusual object in "mint" original condition.

In addition to exciting objects, although our January meetings traditionally do not include speakers, informal educational exhibits and materials are often encountered among mart tables. Members located one example at the table of Bill Curley. 

Bill provided photographs, measurements, scale drawings, and finished examples detailing several highly skilled clock repair and restoration projects based on computer-aided design (CAD) techniques. Bill utilizes the CAD drawngs as input for wire electrical discharge machining (known as wire EDM)--a technique involving costly equipment beyond the reach of most home workshops.

Since most clock parts are made from electrically conductive materials, Bill is able to employ wire EDM to save considerable time in executing complex parts replication tasks. He explained the use of this specialized equipment in producing hands, fly cutters to be fit into a horizontal miller to produce gears, fixtures used to "cross out" wheels, and specialized punches needed for each job. The technology, however, does not eliminate hand filing as a finishing step.

Bill has produced a tall clock calendar wheel flag, notched to accomodate a snail; and a brass crutch for a European tall clock, to name but a few of his accomplishments. Perhaps his most challenging project thus far, however, involved replacing a crown wheel escapement.: This project, Bill explained, was particularly interesting because the piece not only involved producing a complex three-dimensional fixture, but the part itself had to be cut from the inside. Notwithstanding these challenges, the results were quite remarkable and impressive.

The chapter plans to host several suitcase workshops during the upcoming year.  Anticipated topics include the use of the graver and the jeweler's lathe. Stay tuned. 

-- Mary Jane