148 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



April, 1910 



MPflM 



m 



Conducted by A. Russell Bond 



A Combined Grandfather Clock and Book Case 



;,OME time ago the writer came across an old 

 clock, a family heirloom, that was in such 

 a dilapidated condition that it was useless 

 to think of repairing the original case. 

 However, the works were good and fit 

 for service. It was not a typical grand- 

 father clock, but a square, key-wind, 

 weight-dri\en clock very similar to the kind now known to 

 the trade as an O. G. clock. To set off the timepiece to 

 good advantage it was made part of a narrow book case, 

 thus producing the effect of a tall grandfather clock, while 

 accomplishing an economy of space in the tiny den it was 

 to furnish. 



How the clock was changed from a key to a chain-wind 

 does not concern us, because any one desiring to copy the 

 design here shown probably would not have to contend 

 with precisely the same conditions. Chain-wind movements 

 can be bought for a reasonable sum though key-wind move- 

 ments are less expensive. 



strengthen the frame it is braced at the top and bottom 

 with angle braces as shown in the sectional view B. B. This 

 view represents the frames in place with the top shelf re- 

 moved. The book shelves are plain boards provided with 

 cleats on the under side to prevent them from slipping out 

 of place. To keep the books from toppling over at the 

 ends of the shelves, sheet metal book supports are used, but 

 it might be preferred to use additional side bars or to stretch 

 leather thongs across the end of each shelf. 



Constructional details of the clock case are shown in 

 the sectional view A A. The clock face is set back from 

 the panels which flank it. The uprights are held in place by 

 means of angle braces and are grooved to receive the panel 

 boards and dial board. A door at each side of the case 

 furnishes access to the works. The hinges used are of the 

 common steel pattern oxidized to match the wrought iron 

 nails by heating them to incandescence in the kitchen range. 

 A hand-wrought nail driven through the door against an 

 iron surface so that its point is blunted and turned over 



Seetion 

 J-iandJe 



Section on Jl-B. 



Principal dimensions of ihe case 



A clock and bookcase combined 



Sectional views and detail of knob 



The combined clock and book case is severely plain, and 

 made of solid oak, according to the dimensions shown in 

 the accompanying drawings. The frame is fastened to- 

 gether with dowel pins dipped in glue and then driven into 

 holes drilled through the posts into the shelf supports and 

 other crosspieces. The ends of the dowels are con- 

 cealed by broad headed hand-wrought nails. To further 



makes a good door knob. To keep the dust out a sheet 

 of cardboard is tacked over the back of the case. 



A slot is cut in the bottom board of the case for the 

 pendulum and four holes for the chains. To preserve the 

 rough simplicity of the design the hour numbers were 

 burned into the dial face and then filled with red paint. A 

 rich brown stain completed the piece. 



