Review on 🧩 Wooden Mechanical Puzzle Building Kit by RoWood by Tim Purdie

I am an experienced model maker, I create many different complex models. I've always had a passion for watches and this project struck me as interesting. I was also looking for something to keep me busy for a week or so. I made several builds that took months to complete. The package came in a few days, everything is whole, nothing broken or lost. I have a method of putting the numbered parts in separate bins so the construction is measured and smooth. To do this, every detail had to be removed from the laser-cut panels. Each piece has tiny tabs that hold them to the panels until removed. Be careful when removing parts. Some are fragile, many are not. Sand lightly to smooth out the laser marks. Most parts were marked, some were too small to be stamped. These parts have been removed and an identification number has been penciled on. I read the instructions and found them a bit confusing. I decided to go ahead and find out in no time. The early assembly was tedious, but as I got a little deeper into the assembly, it got easier. There were many parts that needed grinding modification, mainly parts that mated small gears to large gears. This was necessary so that the metal shafts could pass small and large gears. No glue is required to make the clock. They are all connected together and held in place by a combination of friction and locking. Once I got through the first few courses, the rest was pretty easy. The instruction manual was confusing. Look carefully at each page. There are hints and diagrams that are critical to a successful build. Although no glue is required, I found the top of the pendulum to be too loose and degraded the clock's performance. The clock runs less than an hour. I used CA glue to attach all the pieces to the top of the swingarm. This works very well now. It is very important that the large gears turn freely on the metal shafts. The small yellow bearings can push too hard into the small gears. Be sure to loosen them to the point of free rotation, less wobble, better performance. That's all. A finished watch is a good conversation piece. It's impractical as a chronometer, but fun to "watch" it. I painted over parts of the face to give it contrast. The pendulum is on the back of the clock and is difficult to see from the front. I painted it red, you can see it clearly.