Wooden Clock Kits
Robert Wharton
manufactured by Kassner Woodcraft, Inc. This week I received their info
in the mail. Looking at the poster they included, the clock does in fact look
like a very fine piece of woodworking. Their literature goes into great
detail in describing their attention to the product. They say that they use
special cutting tools for the critical machining areas and have some
numerically controlled equipment as well.
Their clock can be hung from a wall bracket to allow full view of the internal
parts or can be put into a conventional, free-standing clock case (you would
have to purchase the case from another source). They offer a few product
options for ordering: hands (antique German or modern), base plate to accomo-
date various cases, chain length if you need to fit a particular case, and
stain color. Shipping charges are extra. The clock kit is $450 and the wall
bracket is $40. They accept check and money orders (they have crossed out the
credit card area).
The kit consists of "some 165 odd parts" and requires about fifty hours to
assemble (according to their info). They claim that "They [the clock kits]
are quite rare because we only manufacture a very limited number of them due
to the complexity and detail..." As an engineer (who has been in manufacturing
before), I find it interesting that they have gone to all the work to create
the jigs, special cutting tools, and NC equipment only to manufacture a small
quantity of these every year. But then again, nothing says that they have to
be a high volume shop. Half the fun is in designing the product and setting
up the necessary tools and jigs.
If you would like more info, feel free to write me or contact Jim Kassner
directly at:
Kassner Woodcraft, Inc.
11947 Graceland Road
Northport, AL 35476
(205) 339-3300
I can be reached at:
Robert Wharton
Hewlett Packard Company
rwha...@hprnd.rose.hp.com