Build an East Windsor Tall Clock with Chuck Bender
In this six day, hands on class you will build a beautiful Connecticut tall case clock with master clock maker Charles Bender. This is a reproduction of a late 18th century clock built in East Windsor by master clockmaker Daniel Burnap who was the clockmaker that Eli Terry apprenticed with. We will cover case joinery, application of moldings, making the bonnet and bonnet door as well as bonnet columns and the swan-neck pediment.
By breaking down the project into its three main components: the base, the waist and the bonnet top, the project becomes a little less daunting and by taking a systematic approach to its construction students are assured of completing all the machining of parts, most of the hand-fitting and most of the assembly during class. Because everyone works at different speeds and the project is fairly complex you should not expect to be bringing home a completely finished clock after six days - but- you will be bringing home the knowledge and the confidence to easily finish the project in your own shop at your own pace. Throughout the class, the focus will be on combining hand tools and machinery to build an heirloom clock using period construction and details. Time permitting, we will take a trip down to the Wadsworth Atheneum to look at the original clock make by Burnap. Charles Bender has a national reputation as a maker of superb period furniture. He is a frequent contributor to Popular Woodworking Magazine and is the founder of Acanthus Workshop, LLC, a school in Pennsylvania. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to make your project of a lifetime. Tuition: $795.00 plus materials
Section: 081113A: Sunday - Saturday, August 11 - 17, 9:00am - 5:00pm
General tool list (will open in a new window)
Clock Credits and info:
Daniel Burnap
American 1759-1838
Tall Clock, 1785-1795
Cherry, brass, steel. 90 x 17 ¼ x 10 ¼ in.
Gift of Erskine B. Hyde and Miss Mary E. Hyde, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT. 1941.130
General tool list (will open in a new window)
