Cross Mantle Clock for wedding anniversary present.

[dbhost]

Okay I know the tradition is to give cotton for the 2nd anniversary, which I have handled too... But I wanted to build something nice for my wife. She has been out of work a while now, and only recently have calls been coming in, and interviews happening. I wanted to build her a nice, unique clock and here is what I came up with...





Materials are walnut and red oak.
The upright section is 12" x 6", 3/4" thick, the base is 7" x 7" 3/4" thick.
The clock works was mortised in 1/2" deep via my largest forstner bit, and a generous amount of cleaning up by hand with a chisel and mallet.
The cross piece is attached with biscuits and glue, the upright attaches to the base with oak dowels and glue.

I am happy with the results of this clock, and hope that she will be too...

Unfortunately today is the anniversary day, I am sick as a dog, and she had to run her brother back for some more tests to see if he is a candidate for kidney / pancreas transplants... I only hope that I feel better, and she gets home in time for me to at least enjoy some time with her tonight...

Oh, and before anyone mentions it, yes my bench is a disaster right now... I SERIOUSLY need to clean up my shop!

[Whaler]

Very nice, she will love it.

[Uncle Cracker]

Nice work!

[SARGE..g-47]

Very nice job DB. I really like your design with the cross pattern. I have 3 clock-kit inserts at the moment to be used for small clock gifts for the MIL.. SIL and favorite niece. The MIL is a very heavily involved in church and I do believe I will borrow your cross design for her desk clock.

Well done and happy anniversary...

[herb fellows]

Nice job! Elegant and understated, very nice.

[JR]

Sweet. Major hubby points!

JR

[cgallery]

Nice job. I especially like the contrasting woods for the cross.

[dbhost]

Thanks guys...

The cross pattern was intentional. Without bumping into the forum rules too hard here, it's a factor that her and I share.

Honestly if I had the time to get a better doweling jig before doing it again, I would have attached the cross piece with dowels too. I knew the base wouldn't be hard to line up, I just wasn't confident enough with the uprights.

Oh yeah, this project did net me a new tool too. Not that fancy, but I snagged a Marples pull saw for flush cutting the dowels. I like it!

[BobSch]

Beautiful piece that will become a family heirloom down the road. Nice work.

[lrogers]

That is VERY nice. I have always liked walnut and red oak used in combination.

[Pappy]

beautiful!