Helpful Hints
Clockmaking As Easy As 1-2-3
 Choose the Correct Pendulum Length
Choosing the correct pendulum lengths (A) are measured from the center of the hand shaft (B)
on the movement to the tip of the pendulum bob (C). Note: The pendulum itself will be shorter
than the measurement (B) to (C). (see right)
Choose the Correct Hour & Minute Hand Size
Choosing the correct hour & minute hand size are determined by minute hand length - Minute
hands are measured from the tip of the hand to the center of the mounting hole.
Choosing the Correct Sweep
Sweeps are measured from the tip of the sweep to the center of the mounting pin.
Small Nails
To help get small nails (such as the ones used for attaching glass bezels) to
go in straight, use a push pin to start the hole. Once the hole has been started remove the pin
and replace with the nail to be used. The nail will now be partially inserted without the need
to hold it while hammering.
Movement, Dial & Hands Assembly
How to Measure Hour and Minute Hands
Minute hands are measured from the tip of the hand to the center of the mount hole. Refer to the Minute Hand Measurement diagram.
If you have a dial and need to determine the length of hands you need, measure from the center hole of the dial plate to the outside edge of the time ring (A). It is, in other words, half the diameter of the time ring. This measurement will give you the needed minute hand length.
The size of the hour hand will correspond to the length of the minute hand. It is NOT necessary to measure the hour hand. If there is no time ring, measure from the outside edge of the numerals or markers. With some dial styles, longer or shorter hands look fine, depending on personal taste.
How to Measure Second Hands
Reference Guide for Measuring Quartz Movements
Utilizing a Stopper Pin with 18-note Sankyo Gold Music Movements with Stopper Wire
The following is an example of how the stopper pin (#30097) can be utilized so that the lid opening and closing can turn on/off the music movement. Please note that the music box frame shown is a general example. Also note that a mounting diagram and recommended mount board thickness will be illustrated on the following page. Please read through all information, and determine how best to accommodate the music movement and stopper pin to your music box, before completing any machining for the music movement and stopper pin.
Typically, the stopper pin will be utilized on the front or side portion of any music box assembly. Since the rear portion will typically accommodate the hinge, the music movement and stopper pin hole should be located towards the front portion of the case. The music movement should be positioned so that the end of the base, on the side where the stopper wire protrudes, is located no more than 2” from the stopper pin slot. Remember that the stopper wire can always be trimmed to reduce the stopper wire length (however it should be trimmed in small increments until it reaches the required length). The 1/8” wide stopper pin slot length will depend on the case assembly itself. Typically, the slot length will be a minimum of 3/8” long. The 7/64” diameter stopper pin hole should be at a depth of about 1-1/8” – 1-1/4”.
Mount the movement (see illustration 2). Position the stopper pin into the Ø7/64” hole with the stopper wire hole at the bottom. Insert the stopper wire through the 1/8” wide slot and through the small hole in the stopper pin (see illustration 1). Allow excess wire to extend through the pin (as the wire will tend to follow a slight arc when moving up and down).
You may use the dimensions provided below to locate required mounting holes for Sankyo 18-note Gold music movements with pre-attached stopper wire. Note that ¼” maximum thickness has been recommended for the music movement mount board. We recommend ¼” thick plywood veneer (which will typically have a nominal thickness of 7/32”). This will ensure that the key-wind shaft will be able to extend through the mount board with a bit of excess shaft for clearance.
The stopper wire can be bent accordingly to allow for engagement of the stopper pin so that the pin is able to extend up out of the case frame when the lid would be open. This is a trial and error process that may require repeated adjustments to achieve. After initial adjustments, test the stopper pin and wire assembly by opening and closing the music box lid. If the movement continues to play with the lid closed, check to make certain the stopper wire is engaged through the stopper pin. It may also be necessary to make bend adjustments to the end of the stopper wire which engages the flywheel of the music movement when the stopper pin would be down (simulating a closed lid). If the pin should not pop up when the lid is opened, make certain the wire does not extend too far through the pin (and rub against the inside depth of the slot). Continue to adjust as need be until lid action will activate/deactivate the music movement repeatedly with ease.
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