Things You'll Need
Instructions
Buy a grandfather clock kit. Grandfather clock kits come with all the parts needed to build a clock, including the inner mechanisms, outer mechanisms and wood. Old World clocks are made of fine wood, like maple and oak. Once the wood is cut and shaped, the clock mechanisms can be assembled inside the clock.
Make sure the wood in the kit is high-quality wood, such as walnut or pine, that will last once assembled. Follow the instructions that come within the kit to properly assemble the clock body, before putting in the inner and outer mechanisms. Have someone with carpentry skills assemble the kit for you if you cannot do this yourself.
If planning to build a tall grandfather clock, order four wood bundle packs, which are five square feet in length, from an online lumber company. Wall clocks require only one to two bundle packs of wood. Open the bundle with a box cutter, and put the planks of board out onto a flat work table surface.
Pick narrow pieces of board to make up the first section of the clock, which will be the rails and stiles. Pick the grain or patterned section of wood for the panel sections. Mark the wood with a marker, or place these pieces on the side.
Print out an assembly drawing online for making a Grandfather clock, if using wood purchased from a hardware store and not from a kit. You can purchase one online, or print one for free. Check out the archives section of handyman sites such as http://www.shopsmithhandson.com and follow the links for detailed drawings of Grandfather clocks with instructions. Follow the instructions accurately to ensure that the clock is built correctly.
Cut wood with a CMT Model 219 miter saw, in the 8-1/2-inch size.Begin by cutting the rails of the clock at 9 inches wide. Cross-cut pieces of wood should be 8-1/4 inches. Follow instructions regarding how many pieces of wood should be cut for your particular clock. A clock kit should have the appropriately sized wood included, but you may have to cut the wood to adjust the size. Follow instructions on the drawing on how to cut the wood for a particular clock's shape.
Assemble the clock by gluing the pieces, using PVA cement glue. Let dry, and install the inner and outer clock mechanisms. Inner mechanisms should consist of a spring, gears, pivots and chimes. Make sure the clock is in working order by setting the face, dial, hands, weights, time and pendulum on the outer mechanisms.