Almonte clock tower clock tour

A friend, James, giving me a tour of the Almonte clock tower clock works.
woodgears.ca/mi...
If you areinterested, James might be willing to give you a tour. His email address is "toodloo" on gmail. (if you can't figure that out, go to the bottom of the linked article)

[@Undermeman]

It's always nice to have friends in high places.

[@st0rmforce]

bu-dum tish

[@henryD9363]

You have no shame :)

[@ToddAndrewCole]

That was fun to watch; what a great time I had!

[@richyoung8505]

Also, friends with time on their hands.

[@ToddAndrewCole]

I've got to hand it to you-that was pretty good!

[@JCLoony]

Ron was a gift to this town. He gave me this tour a few years back, it was always fun to work with him. Thanks for showing this off, it's great.

[@FrederickDunn]

You must move in very smart circles... :) I was also wondering what would happen if we didn't have people like this around who are capable and willing.

[@Spikejwh1]

LOL... manually 5 bells at 4 o'clock... so for this day everyone in the town went home 1 hour early because Matthias Wandel was in the belltower.... ;-)

[@legomasterj]

And then the next day nobody went home because they forgot to connect the bells again.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

This is what you get with a count wheel striking system. They always strike in sequence so if the strike gets out of sync with the time side (the hands), something like this needs to be done to put it back in sequence. This is just as true for house clocks as with tower clocks. That's one reason that rack-and-snail striking was invented in the 1600s... it works off the hour hand and so never gets out of sync with the hands.

[@doug.ritson]

Time to make a wood gear clock

[@magicrobharv]

DRitz78 I was thinking the same thing.

[@Yonatan24]

Check out Jeremy Fielding's videos on that! I'm not sure I've actually watched them myself though.

[@Cavalier_Steve]

Absolutely!

[@Gorango27]

I would like to see this happen

[@adamrisberg6507]

I read somewhere that he is building a wooden briquet press.

[@FrederickDunn]

Such an extraordinary example of mechanics and Matthias is standing there thinking of how he'd have done it better in a more convenient array :) Nice to see something that doesn't depend on the internet or a satellites in order to function. Certainly, Mr Wandel will find a better material for that variable weight pendulum. I love the woodwork on the clock face wooden supports... all very VERY interesting. Thank you for sharing! Gets my gears turning in my head...

[@thomasmarliere2505]

First time I see the inside of a clock of that kind, thanks for sharing :-)

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks for bringing us along on this cool tour. It took me back about thirty years to when I was a clock repairman and the one time that I got to assist in the rep are of a tower clock in Lebonon, Ohio. In that case someone at the turn of the last century had electrified it by removing the weights and adding a couple motors. We were unable to find any of the missing parts so I'm sure that the company that provided that service took them away for spare parts. I had expected a much larger movement, because up until that point in my life I had only ever seen the insides of a clock tower in movies, and those were always huge and fanciful. I sue have a ton of respect for those guys who used to climb up the exterior to do maintenance on the hands and faces. So glad to see that this clock is being so well cared for. Scott

[@wobblysauce]

indeed

[@tabhorian]

Love the curved frames around the clock faces. Lot of craftsmanship went into this whole thing. Thanks!

[@CrowdSurfingGeezer]

I'm 53 yrs old. This is a delightful first for me. Thank you so much for bringing us along!

[@cokesniffing1]

I've drove by that clock so many times. It was a real treat seeing inside. Thanks Matthias and James :)

[@mety9325]

This reminded me of my Grandma, who was a verger at the local church. She used to take me to the Church when i was a little boy and we rang the bells at 6:00 pm (they were electrically operated). But i really enjoyed climbing up the tower to the clockwerk and winding it up - once a week i think. It was pretty similar to this one, just twice as big. Thank you, Matthias.

[@CrucialMuzic]

Wow that was rather impressive. Loved seeing that!!

[@leon_mnl]

it's very relaxing to hear the tapping and see those gears smoothly work together,nice informative video!

[@PaulinaPaulino]

That was fantastic! I see a Woodgears project here on "how to make a clock using gears made out of wood".

[@wagdyziada4503]

Me too

[@Vibemaker68]

That would be cool!

[@JasperJanssen]

Paulina Paulino if you want to see wood geared clocks, come to Franeker in Friesland, the Netherlands. The Eyse Eysinga planetarium is a rather elaborate clock, with everything including the gears made out of wood in the 19th century by an amateur laborer. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site now.

[@edkramer65]

I build mechanical clocks & this was an awesome video to see the mega size of what I am used to. Incredible what man can do. Thank you for sharing.

[@FireAngelOfLondon]

I notice after checking your channel that you don't show your work on KZbin. Since mechanical clocks fascinate a lot of people it could be great to see your work shown here too. I have no idea if that is practical for you, but if it is I for one would welcome it.

[@cncwoodworxroc6881]

Shared.

[@dasstackenblochen9250]

Making videos is a lot of effort...

[@FireAngelOfLondon]

Das Stackenblochen+ Sometimes it is, yes, that's why I put in the bit about whether or not it is practical for him to do it. I realise he may not have time, or may not even own a video camera - I don't own one myself so it did occur to me. My comment was meant to encourage him to share his work here t IF it is practical and if he wants to.

[@edkramer65]

I would like to be more clear on here as to what I build as my statement could have been taken in many ways. I buy mechanical clock movements & build clocks around them. It was something my father did & I am following in his footsteps. I may some day post videos but for right now I do not have a video camera but some day that may be in the works. Thank you for the encouragement.

[@sbell2496]

Superb! Now I challenge other Clock Keepers and Wood Gear Gurus from other cities, towns and villages worldwide to share the treasures in their care. Thank-you James and Matthias!

[@dasstackenblochen9250]

This reminds me of the tower clock in my home town. It's a somewhat similar construction, lots of brass and big, very sturdy cast iron frames (the bells are huge and take a lot of force to ring). It was built in 1882 and was in service continuously until the late 1990s. It used four different bells (still in use) and used weights between 100 kg (smallest bell) and 400 kg (largest bell), five in total plus one for the clock. The weights are so heavy that the shaft to pull them up is geared down 1:3 or so. The clock itself is constructed in a separate cast iron frame, the only connection between the "bell gearing" and the "clock gearing" is a lever with lots of play. Presumably to avoid vibration from the bell gear to affect the clock. Reportedly it was accurate to about one hour in a month.

[@lemagreengreen]

I remember my uncle had a big old house, probably similar age to this building that had a clock tower. He was caretaker for the building and lived in part of it. Unfortunately the clock wasn't operating but I remember getting to go up to the small area just like this and look at the mechanism - fascinating stuff, great to see one running.

[@piccilos]

Matthias and Clickspring collaboration when?

[@edwardholmes91]

Thanks Matthias, very cool tour! It sure does loose a lot of time each week, it must be a full time job for your friend keeping it all maintained.

[@vsmetc7305]

I always find your videos interesting. I was surprised to see Almonte - I lived there from 1994-2000. I don't remember ever seeing that clock running. Thanks for the tour

[@toodloo]

You just missed the restart then, Jan 1 midnight, 2000

[@kaboomer13]

When will the plans for the wood version be available for purchase?

[@bobd.]

Very interesting Matthias, thanks for taking us on this tour of the workings of large clocks.

[@otaku1229]

my hometowns clock tower!!! thanks for showing never thought i would get to see inside!

[@mcearl8073]

This is all mechanical is it not? I got a bit confused when he asked if it ever stopped due to power outages. It’s a pretty cool thing to see the inner workings of. Then I was thinking that people were able to shrink all that down into a watch and it’s just incredible what man can accomplish with his hands.

[@johnbrice4146]

I really liked the fail safe handle for the weight. The is a real sophisticated piece of mechanical engineering.

[@Aristo12]

So much technology and not a single microcontroller to be seen! Very interesting!

[@RookieLock]

Really cool, I was lucky enough to see our towns clock tower in the old post office, It's really different than the one you've showed. I really enjoyed watching this video, thanks as always for sharing Matthias!

[@TheRocketbob22]

My, isn't" that awesome, you never fail to amaze the masses, Matthias. All that ingenuity reduced to a quartz crystal.

[@teddevocht5489]

Very interesting tour, i have driven pass that clock tower so many times over the years. Great to see how it works.

[@69virgin1966]

That was very educational for the history of the clock. The way the gears work is a very impressive job of getting the right sizes and the right teeth pattern. I thought it was really cool how the bell was set up. Happy birthday Thanks for sharing

[@brocktechnology]

There's something magical about the stairs gradually becoming smaller, sketchier, and less finished as you climb. It has almost a Dr. Seuss feel.

[@toodloo]

The stairs really do add a lot to the experience. They remind you that you are going somewhere special and secret.

[@369dusty]

Fascinating !! What workmanship there is. Very interesting !

[@jklawrence1]

No criticism at all, the mechanism would be beyond me so I’m in no place to criticise! Anything Matthias has to tell the world, I’m listening!! You clearly have a delicate and difficult job on your hands too!

[@gsp0113]

Enjoyed this thoroughly. Will have to watch a couple more times to better process all the information and visuals. Really interesting.

[@SKINxSLAYER]

All right Matthias. Let's see you build one!!! That's cool too see vintage time work.

[@christopheleblanc9175]

very cool ,,, ,neat to see and get explained like that, true and honest, no script there , thank you and your friend for sharing

[@scdevon]

That escapement is awesome. Beautiful movement. Heavy duty !!

[@bugevolution7027]

It's just very cool, the mechanism is very clever, and the sound...

[@jakematic]

Horology is such a beautiful blend of art and science. Ironically need to time one of my wall clocks today due to the weather.

[@63256325N]

A lot of thought when into the building of the clock, amazing. Thanks for the tour.

[@canaldoalexandre6562]

Thanks Matthias, very cool tour! Brasil na área!

[@esnam6557]

Thanks for sharing the video. It is very intersting to see Birmingham made tower clock over there

[@xxHONDA01xx]

Very cool Matthias, great video, looks like fun!

[@HandToolRescue]

Gorgeous.

[@Cavalier_Steve]

This was truly fascinating thank you and Jamie for showing us around.

[@user-su7ef8cr5w]

very cool to see how things run especially neat for your friend to have to figure out how to maintain it! Happy New Year from PEI, Bryan

[@itguy6547]

Can't believe you've just gone through Almonte!! I grew up in Carleton Place, the town less than 10km away from there! I always thought you lived in Saskatchewan or Manitoba so I found it surprising to see a recent video of yours where you're in Almonte! Seems unbelievable!

[@BorealSelfReliance]

That building is neat, and the clock is even more neat - Great Video!

[@Nono-hk3is]

That was awesome. Thanks for the tour!

[@AndreaMercierArtist]

I used to live there...I loved Almonte and the bar that used to be in the old Post Office! You should do more videos on the road...and show off the Ottawa area.

[@forestlampcraft472]

You have a very interesting channel there is a lot to learn!!!

[@melvinjackson4096]

A trick : you can watch series on Flixzone. I've been using it for watching loads of movies these days.

[@atlasasher3519]

@Melvin Jackson Definitely, I have been using Flixzone for months myself =)

[@SKINxSLAYER]

All right Matthias. Let's see you build one!!! That's cool too see vi rage time work.

[@Wordsnwood]

Lots of stairs, and love the old woodwork on the stair rails also. thanks!

[@shivamvaid601]

The person showing you the clock is soo sweet. Donate something to him. I'll say a video on the gear cleaning and detailed mechanisms? I mean one day of a video where you help him to maintain the components.

[@dickkehoe4740]

WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!from Australia

[@Gaea4U]

James there you go blowing off our gears again... ha! Love this! Congrats!

[@jbz3]

The paddles are a governor

[@MrEvanspa]

I find it cool to see the clock maintainer wearing a first gen Pebble smartwatch. Nice!

[@toodloo]

And I'm angry I can't replace it when it dies!

[@TheDuncandan]

We have a clock at city hall that looks similar, I don't know if it is the same workings but that is impressive. Thanks for that. Most enjoyable.

[@HobbyOrganist]

These clocks are very cool, once in a while one from Europe comes up for sale on Ebay- just the mechanism not the dials and hands, for about $5000 to $8000, I'd have one in my house if I could spend that much, I could listen to that tic toc sound all day long and never get tired of it! I used to think those gears were just sand cast but it turned out to not be the case at all, they are individually made on a gear hob machine that cuts one tooth at a time using a special template so each tooth is exactly the same and spaced the same as all the others. There are videos showing how it's done.

[@pennyroyal3813]

Great tour Matthias.

[@Tugmun11]

Matthias, you have the koolest videos Thanks for Sharing...

[@AzureFlash]

This would be the coolest place to sit down in a corner and read a book

[@WildmanTech]

Fascinating! Thanks Matthias.

[@presentdayjeff5790]

Thanks for the tour, Matthias. My first real job before my present career was antique clock repair, and I’ve always been fascinated especially by early wooden movements. Your gear making and occasional use of lignum vitae often remind me of the early John Harrison clocks, and similar. I wonder if someday you will make one of your own, if you haven’t already, being a very talented engineer.

[@johnsenter4217]

WOW !! WOW !! The videos just keep getting better and better Great video

[@RustyCarnahan]

This is simply amazing. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@Tazameir]

Very cool! I have never seen the inner workings of a large clock like that. Thanks for posting this one. Too bad I did not live closer, as I have a bucket truck!

[@nakamakai5553]

Awesome adventure and sharing, thanks! I've been in the Carrilon and clock in Beaumont Tower at Michigan State University, but it didn't look anything like this. Well done!

[@donhouse2920]

just wanted to say thank you man that was so cool the man that actually sit down and invented that mechanism had to be a genius could you imagine how long it took to construct that with them wires and weights wow it's just mind-blowing thank you so much man very cool watched it several times big thumbs up

[@allluckyseven]

Can't wait for the wooden version!

[@dreed1941]

I love this type of content. Keep it up!

[@scose]

Love the sound of the escapement

[@timeintheuk]

Had a great idea today . I’ve got a broken drill 12v cordless I renewed the motor and added a 12v led g12 bulb to make a torch

[@leomcguire275]

Interesting to see a video so close to home

[@ripp_]

This is really intesrting for me, cus a friend and I where staring at a simular mechanicsm in cardiff working out how it worked

[@tinkeringrocks]

This was AWESOME. Thanks Matthias!

[@matthiasburger2315]

About the clock: "W. F. Evans & Sons, Soho Clock Factory, Handsworth. (William Frederick Evans) was founded by Mathew Boulton & James Watt, their foreman John Haughton took over the business in 1805 and established himself in Soho Street, Birmingham, branding the business as The Soho Clock Factory Handsworth. His son-in-law, William Frederick Evans took over the running of the business in 1843. The Business ceased trading 1934"

[@vallejokid1968]

Man that was cool. Thanks for posting.

[@Slugsie1]

Very interesting. But your friend saying that they've not had to change the CFL bulbs yet as you focus in on a CFL bulb not lit... ;)

[@WesleyTreat]

And, clearly, it has not been changed. :)

[@Slugsie1]

Wesley Treat, Maker of Things Good point

[@barryelitchfield]

In case y'all up there in Canada haven't heard ...... They're making these new fangled Light Emittin' Diodes (LED's they call 'em here in Texas). These here LED's has left them CFL screw-in light bulbs in the dust, so to speak. Maybe y'all could smuggle some in across the border?

[@mcearl8073]

Slugsie I was thinking that as well.

[@Mirgy]

Hey Matthias, thanks for sharing this video! I have always had an appreciation and fascination of the design behind clocks. It was super cool to get a behind the scene video seeing how maintenance is done for enormous clocks.

[@railroad9000]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@PatGilliland]

I'm in Kanata and drive through Almonte all the time!

[@pyrotechnik9022]

I bet someone was using the bell rings to tell time there and now they are confused

[@schwarzarne]

With 10 minutes a week they would be pretty wrong anyways :-D

[@mothman.industries]

Eh, if 10 minutes a week bothers you, you're working too hard. Slow down and enjoy life a bit. :)

[@roughwater3454]

Outstanding vid my friend...

[@MRrwmac]

All my best to you and your loved ones for a Joyful and Merry Christmas. Hope you have a Wonderful Year in 2018!

[@johncolasanto605]

Thats awesome.. its real artwork!!!

[@ronron8464]

Thank you Matthias! Very incredible & interesting machine. Appreciate the look at the mechanisms. 👍 Ron, Littlewierdshop

[@technicalsupport3111]

I love old interesting buildings!!

[@nikonprofessional5286]

For those tight spaces Wandel, Nikon makes a 16-24 wide angle zoom :) Just sayin... f/2.8 for those tight spaces! I love old towers!

[@ecrusch]

That was a very cool video. Old school technology. Thank you.

[@SuperDeinVadda]

For all the clock enthusiasts go check out clickspring ! You wont be disappointed

[@henryD9363]

SuperDeinVadda -- Yes indeed. The most beautifully photographed and edited videos on KZbin.

[@brendangilmore4297]

Agreed. That guy is phenomenal - worthy of the Matthias Award for Excellence. :)

[@RickRabjohn]

Oh man - now you have to build one of these Matthias :-)))

[@ElvisKnucklehead]

This was remarkable. THANK YOU!!

[@38911bytefree]

Amazing machinery and more amazing, it is still going.

[@keepcalmandfarmon5401]

Thanks! Very cool. Loved the walk up the stairs starting at the first floor...I am always curious how people get up to bell towers, steeples, clock towers.

[@stealthop]

that's an awesome old clock movement

[@stevebettany8778]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@dangmangcarpenter8800]

Its about time!