Another clock from the pages of Meccano Magazine, this time the August, 1971 issue. Designed by Ron Fail, it demonstrates the balance wheel rather well. The model went together very quickly, as per the plan in the magazine with no problems. This is one of the better designs from that source.
One of the most interesting features of this clock is that it continues to work when stood on its head or placed on its side. Repositioning in this way may call for some adjustment of the trim weights around the perimeter of the wheel to bring it back into balance for that position.
Power for the clock comes from a gang of three tension springs that are visible to the right of the balance wheel in the photographs. These are tensioned by the partial rotation of the lever to which they are connected and so drive the mechanism.
The Powerdrive motor is switched by the limit switch made from Elektrikit parts that is shown in the close up view at the head of this page. A differential mechanism maintains power to the train while the springs are being re-tensioned.
The balance wheel spring is a flexible strip from the Elektrikit range. Although I have thought about the possible substitution of one of the recent flexible steel strips in this use, I have not yet tested it.
