Make Your Own Working Paper Clock Paperback – 21 Aug. 2001

Having successfully built the clock I can say that it does work! It is a challenge, so take it slowly (I took over a year off and on).Looks like it is out of print again, which is a shame, though there are some good deals out there for it from "other buyers".As advice to other builders, one key think to watch out for is the elastic band. It has to be put in place early on - but no mention is made until later in the documentation, so if you don't plan ahead you will have to take the mechanism apart to install it. Overall, the elastic band is the weak point - finding one of the correct size can be a challenge and the tension can distort the position of some of your carefully placed shafts. Further, once the case was on the the band developed a habit of falling off. Of course, this could be more related to my construction than the design.For the bearings rather than using beads I thought it would be better to stick to the "paper" concept and use tubes of paper generated by rolling paper loosely round the shafts and then gluing the ends. This seems to work quite well. Carefully straightened paperclips, as suggested in the instructions work well, but I replaced the knitting needle with a smooth wooden cooking skewer.If a new edition of the clock were to be published I would suggest:a) Replace the elastic band with gears (would have to reverse the rest of the mechanism and think about hand adjustment - the band allows slide).b) Introduce some way of adjusting the angle of the "anchor" against the pendulum - to get a smooth tick, I have to tilt the clock, which looks inelegant.c) Possibly provide an alternative face so the clock can run with the skeleton showing so that it is easier to admire the hard work (though anyone who gets the clock working is probably capable enough to produce an alternative face).There is a video of the clock on youtube where, not only did they build it, they animated the construction(Paper Clock - Timing is Everything 2006), though the pendulum does not swing as far as shown in the video. A more realistic view of it running can be found in (Paper Clock uploaded by cjd5440).Overall, definitely worth having a go at, there is a real sense of achievement when the first tick-tock is heard, and even more when you can get it to run consistently. Ok, as I write the elastic band has dropped off again. Still ticking though...

What a superb book! With patience and possibly a lot of good luck, this book can be transformed into a unique working clock. It'll keep you occupied for many, many hours. Leave those jigsaws alone and try this! Bargain price for the level of detail and innovation within. Not for young kids, but I'm sure they'd love to help grandad make one! ENJOY!

It's an interesting and difficult project, but intriguing also. I have made a start on it, but it will take some time. You have to work a lot of things out for yourself, so if you need step-by-step instructions, you'll be frustrated. The designer of this clock was definitely not brought up on Lego, and credits the user with lots of intelligence. This is why it will never be a hugely popular project with today's public (I'm not saying today's public are not intelligent, they're just used to being told every detail of the construction, which you don't get in this book in its present form). Nevertheless, it could be rewritten with easy, step-by-step instructions, YouTube videos, etc., and brought more up to date, without changing the original design at all. The pieces are accurately drawn, and hopefully the finished result will be worth the effort of building it. This is one for modelling enthusiasts.

This book creates a real working clock. I am about 75 per cent finished and the clock is really taking shape. Once I have all the wheels and gears assembled I will start installing them into the clock. It has been slow going, mostly because I want to be sure the glue has set solid before going on to the next step. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in clocks, watching your clock take shape from the flat pages is amazing. Patience is needed. The 2D drawings on the cardboard pages slowly become 3D objects, which assemble into a clock over time.

Definitely only for the enthusiast. Our copy sits ignored from the Christmas before last. The cutting out requires great precision on some very complex shapes.

I am halfway thru building this. Whoever has got this working WELL DONE I’ve constructed all the cogs and they work separately but not together. However, even if it doesn’t work it will just be a model clock rather than a working clock. I may well buy another and have another go now I know what I’m doing.

Nothing wrong with the book itself or the delivery. Needs more care than you'd think. Good concentricity and positioning required. Not impossible if only I'd found it 20 years ago. The only thing that was simple to make was the weight and when I fitted it to the pendulum for a trial the attachment broke!!If you're under 60 and looking for a project have a go.

Have not made yet. Had this as a child nearly 40 years ago and rember getting all the pieces built but didn't have the bits for the axle like knitting needle or doyle. This time, I need to get some photocopies of the pages and cut templates to card. No way I'm cutting up this book again!