A Very Productive Day on the Zenbot
Following weeks in the virtual world of the computer, designing the clock, laying out the parts for cutting and generating toolpaths, today I transitioned to the physical world and cut all the wood parts of the clock (other than the torsional pendulum) on the Zenbot. Getting to feel and smell of newly cut wooden parts is very gratifying. The clock is starting to become real.
Below is series of photos and a video showing clock frame parts being cut. I use very conservative cutting tool feeds and speeds that I have found result in a high-quality surface finish. The cutting time for the clock frame parts was about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Below are all the parts I cut today laid out on my workshop floor.
Next steps are to use the scroll saw to cut through the remaining tabs that hold the parts to the surrounding wood and then I plan to start assembling the frame, great wheel and remontoire arm.