Mulligan No. 8

The Creation of Mulligan Clock No. 8 (2016)

After buying the set of three books, Precision Pendulum Clocks by Derek Roberts, my favourite books at the time, I became keen to build something special and unique. All the clocks I have built in the past have been my designs. This time, I wanted to develop my interpretation of a series of clocks built by Edward John Dent (1790-1853) called Table Regulators. It is unlikely that more than ten originals still exist (manufactured circa 1840-1846). Limited information on these clocks is available on the internet; I only know of three sold through auction houses in the past. Prices ranged from USD$60,000 to USD$100,000. So, with no technical information available, I studied the photos in the book and replicated the best I could. A spare fusee movement I had was the starting point.

With new plates made and the train replanted, I started from the top and worked my way down. I had the total height and width of the clocks, so I worked out all the dimensions from that scale. The four columns, made from solid brass bar stock, were then turned down, and the top and bottom column capitals shaped with a form tool.

With the case height established, the correct height pendulum was next. The original mercury pendulums for these clocks were a cast iron jar with a threaded top. Mine is all stainless steel. For the main jar, I saved time by utilising a piece of two-inch stainless steel exhaust pipe, threaded for a cap and had a base welded into it.

With the pendulum made and the clock up to a height to allow it to swing, the next job was to get it to run. I knew my fusee gear train would not be suitable for timing. Also, I wanted a seconds dial. After cutting new wheels and pallets, the only remaining parts from the original fusee train were the barrel, fusee cone, and centre wheel, which I altered slightly.

Once the clock was running and keeping good time, I focussed on the dial and hands. I based the design of the hands on the style of the original clocks. The dial was photo acid etched and then silvered; a process I have just started learning about. All the screws for the clock started as standard metric buy-off-the-shelf ones, but I wasn’t happy with the way they looked. I ended up making them to match the older-style screws. Then came the worst job but probably the most satisfying – final polishing and silvering .

      Graham Mulligan © 2016

CLOCK DIMENSONS:

Case: 69cm high, 36cm wide (base), 38cm deep

Clock: 54cm high, 21cm wide, 21cm deep

CASE:

Hand-crafted Tasmanian oak and glass display cabinet

SHIPPING:

Please contact us for shipping details and quote