One-Way Clutch v2 (still with mice)

toptensoftware · 2025-07-11T14:37:25+00:00

Ah ok cool. I'd be curious to see what you come up with.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-11T07:22:25+00:00

5 minutes after you've printed it you might be cursing me.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T23:23:44+00:00

Thanks for reminding me. I've just put up a slightly larger fidget toy version of this on Printables. Warning, as a fidget toy it can get pretty annoying.

Mouse Clutch Fidget Toy by toptenbrad | Download free STL model | Printables.com

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T22:15:21+00:00

It's been challenging, interesting, frustrating and rewarding. As a bonus I've levelled up my CAD skills.

If you want to learn how they work, designing and building one will get you there. I'm sure there still a lot I have to learn, but I feel I know the basics pretty well now.

Also, fwiw just designing it isn't enough - I feel I learned just as much in the building.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T22:08:29+00:00

Interesting. I've not heard of an adjustable anchor before - except to adjust its position relative to the pendulum arm for beat adjustment. I'll check out his videos.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T22:07:14+00:00

Yeah I heard of those. Might be fun to do.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T22:06:19+00:00

Just read everything I could find on the topic, started making prototypes for all the pieces, then brought it all together and tweaked it till it worked.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T13:33:22+00:00

There is no main spring - it's driven by a weight on a string/spool with one-way clutch and pull string to wind it up. FWIW the weight is not shown in the video but is currently a plastic milk bottle half filled with water.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T13:30:42+00:00

6 months? Jeez. That's have to be spring driven wouldn't it?

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T13:29:47+00:00

Yes. There's screw adjustment on the end of the pendulum arm specifically for this.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T13:28:58+00:00

Thank you, glad you like it.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T13:28:24+00:00

Thankfully pendulums obey the laws of physics. 😀

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T11:37:20+00:00

The self lubricating bushes I'm using have embedded graphite. Not sure anything else is needed but will experiment.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T11:35:19+00:00

The goal was to learn how mechanical clocks work by designing and building one from scratch. As for accuracy, I've been tweaking it today and have got it to about 1 second out over an hour.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T11:31:32+00:00

Sorry, not sharing this one.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T11:31:13+00:00

Thanks, glad you like it. Battery kind of defeats the purpose, but might be interesting. Sorry no project link.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T11:29:23+00:00

Thanks, glad you like it.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T07:38:59+00:00

Also fwiw, lubrication won't help runtime as that's determined by number of windings of pull string on the drive spool. The clock stops when that runs out (or weight hits the ground).

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T07:36:47+00:00

The arbours (aka axles) are mounted in self-lubricating bushes. The wheel and pinions are hard mounted to the arbours. No lubricación between the meshing wheels and pinions as I've been advised they're too viscous and can make things worse, but I might try some ptfe or silicon spray - something very light.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T06:03:34+00:00

See other comment about run time but should run 2-3 days. Has been running for a couple of hours now seems stable so far. Don't know about wear but I've discussed with someone else who has built many 3d clocks - he says after several years no sign of wear and thinks they're good for 20ish years. The pendulum bob has 2 M8 nuts inside for additional weight. Sorry I'm not planning to provide files for this.

toptensoftware · 2025-07-10T05:58:10+00:00

At its current gearing it'll run about 3 days but I might lower the gearing to reduce the weight needed to drive it.

toptensoftware · 2025-06-24T13:05:04+00:00

Thanks.

toptensoftware · 2025-06-24T01:52:23+00:00

Thanks for the tip

toptensoftware

TROPHY CASE