How to Build Your Own Cuckoo Clock



Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005

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Of all the various kits available from hobby stores and websites across the Internet, cuckoo clock kits are very rare indeed. Why is this? Two reasons: one is that as simple the cuckoo clock’s design may seem (after all, it was invented in 1730), it is actually very complicated and can only be replicated by masters. Minor defects in construction will render the movement meaningless with regard to telling accurate time. There is then the added difficulty of the simulated cuckoo sound.

As easy as it is to assemble finished parts at a company that has been doing it for a few hundred years, it’s very difficult for a beginner to achieve the same success – even when using the same parts. Also, since most of the artistry that draws people to appreciate the cuckoo clock is the look and sound of the finished product, there is no way to create a hand carved, artistic finished cuckoo clock and then disassemble it so somebody else could put it together. It simply cannot be done.

But rest your fears. For the ambitious cuckoo clock enthusiast there remains one way to create a totally unique cuckoo clock on your own. The company clockworks.com specializes in selling parts for all clocks, cuckoo clocks included, can sell you all of the individual parts you will need to create the inner workings of a basic cuckoo clock. You’ll pay quite a bit more then you would if you were simply to buy a finished cuckoo clock but that isn’t what you’re looking for, now is it?

You want to put it together yourself, and with the parts from clockworks.com you can do just that. The only problem is once you’ve got the inner workings you’ll actually have to do the artistic part yourself as well. You’ll have to sculpt a bird to emerge from the wooden doors and enough exterior decorations to satisfy yourself that you’ve done a Black Forest-worthy job. It can be done, but don’t expect a cuckoo clock in a box to come landing on your doorstep. You’ll have to become a master craftsman yourself.

Cuckoo Clocks provides detailed information on Black Forest, antique, and quartz cuckoo clocks, as well as parts, repair, movement, kits, manufacturer reviews, and advice on where to purchase discount clocks.

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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Mare Chee from Cincinnati Ohio 4 years 240 days ago.
I bought a cuckoo clock, but it came in different parts. I do not know how to reassemble it. How to I attach the weights? On the back door, there is some kind of spring. Where does it attach? I wanted to get this together for Fathers Day. HELP, Please! Mare' Chee
» left by Surabi from India 4 years 169 days ago.
I bought a cuckoo clock. When I purchased the merchant demonstrated and the cuckoo sound was based on the time ( once for 1 hr, twice for 2 hr etc). But now the sound is produced only once (once for 1 hr, once for 2 hr etc). Can any one please help me to fix the problem?
» left by Franchesca from Japan 4 years 68 days ago.
no i did not feel like readin all of it. it should be steps, but its not.
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