Ira M. Cushing

The clock illustrated and described makes a very pleasing gift. and well repays the maker lor the time and small expenditure given to it. The drawing given is well dimensioned as well as drawn to scale. The material used will depend somewhat upon the finish desired and upon the maker's reources. A nicely grained maple or quartered oak finished with a Flemish or weathered oak stain or a mahogany stain give a very fine effect. However, the clock can he made of eigar-hox wood, filled and stained.

The base should he constituted first, making it 31/2 in high, fastening the baseboard on outside. The top of the base should set into the box flush with the top of the sides. It should be fastened in well as this supports the rest of the clock. The bottom should be top put in before fastening the baseboards in place. It might be well to wait until the middle section is in place before putting in the bottom piece. The caps of the base should now" be put on This will leave a space 21/2 in. square and 1/2 in. deep on top the base into which the middle section will fit.

The middle section will he a box 5 in. long. The bottom of it should tit inside and should be fastened in rigid. The top of this box will also constitute the bottom of the clock section, and should he cut as shown at A. The sides cut out should be filled in with pieces which have the gram running at right angles to the top. This will follow out the scheme of the base and give a uniform appearance on all sides. If desired, the front panel of this middle section can be fitted with hinges and a 1ock, making a good jewelry ease. The middle section can now be assembled with the base by small screws, or nails and glue, through the bottom into the top of the base.

The clock section is another box 2} in. long and 3 in. square. The front should set in about 1/4 in and the diameter of the hole for the clock will, of course, depend upon the clock purchased. The hack of t he clock section should be made removable. The neatest method is to use hinges and a thumb catch to fasten it. The method of lastening the clock in place will also depend upon the shape of the clock and will be left to the ingenuity of the maker. It should, however, be easily removable for cleaning and repairs. The bottom of this section should be set in and the assembling done the same as the base and middle sections. The roof is made next and is 41/2 in. square at the eaves. This should be made removable for access to the clock. The best way is to put hinges at one side and a hook and pin at the other. The hook should hang and fasten on the clock section. If it were on the outside it would detract from theappearauce of the inside of the clock. The pinnacles on the roof have a square cross section. After all parts have been assembled the clock should be sandpapered, taking care not to round the edges. Leaving these edges and corners sharp add very much to the general appearance, and the clock will resemble more nearly the old colonial clocks.

I would suggest that thin glue and small wire brads be used to make the clock. Care should be taken that all joints fit even, and that all parts are symmetrical. Inequalities show up very quickly in a small piece like this. I think it would be well to put a weight, like a piece of lead. Ir the base. This would prevent the clock from tipping too easily. It can be put in the last thing, just before fastening the bottom in, and should he securely held in place.

A number of little things could be done to add to the beauty of the clock. The front of the base and middle section could be paneled, as shown on the drawing. Small wooden balls could be added to the top of the pinnacles. The value of the clock to the one to receive It would be much incieased if. in paneling the front of the middle section a simple monogram of the recipient's initials was left raised The drawing-shows II. E. C.. worked into a monogram. Then, when the clock is stained, more of the stain should he rubbed off the letters, leaving them lighter than the surounding wood. If a door is made of the front the inside may he lined with plush of appropriate color and hooks put up for hanging jewelry.