NW105 Fabric backed celestial clock

By Sue Mey
www.scrollsawartist.com








SUPPLIES
Wood: One piece 1/4 inch (or thickness of choice) x 8.7 x 8.7 MDF, hardwood or plywood of
choice (for the clock)
One piece 1/4 inch (or thickness of choice) x 8.7 x 8.7 MDF, hardwood or plywood of choice
(for the backing)
Off-cuts 1/8 MDF, hardwood or plywood of choice (for the star overlays)
Fabric: One piece 8.7 x 8.7 100% cotton in design and color of choice

Tools: scroll saw with No. 3 and No. 5 reverse-tooth blades, or blades of choice; drill press or
hand drill with 1/16", 1/32 and 5/16 bits; clamps; temporary-bond spray adhesive or glue
stick; CA glue; fabric glue; masking tape; thin double-sided tape; sandpaper, assorted grits;
hard-bristled paintbrush; scraper blade; sharp scissors; calipers; punch tool; spray paints in
blue and gold; quarts mechanism with hands; saw tooth hanger

Introduction
My project is made of MDF and painted in a medium blue, with gold accents. A mottled darker
blue fabric provides a simple background that does not compete with the design. I used a
quarts mechanism with 3/4 shaft length and 5/16 diameter shaft. The thickness of wood
used can be adjusted according to the mechanism you choose to use.

INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the work pieces by cutting them to size on the scroll saw. Print the patterns. Apply a
layer of masking tape to the top of the work pieces. Add an extra layer of wood to stack-cut
the star overlays so that you have extras in case any are lost. Use temporary-bond spray
adhesive or glue stick to attach the patterns to the tape.

Use the 1/16 bit to drill the blade entry holes. Switch to the 1/32 bit to drill the very small
openings. Remove the burs created by drilling the holes using a scraper blade along the grain
of the wood. Thread the No. 3 blade and make the inside cut of the clock pattern. Do not cut
the perimeter line at this time. Cut the star overlays.

Steam or iron your chosen fabric to remove any folds and creases. Use sharp scissors to cut
the fabric to the required size. Apply fabric glue to the backing work piece and spread the glue
evenly with your forefinger. Place the fabric on the backing and smooth the fabric from the
center towards the edges. Allow the glue to dry. Position four short strips of masking tape on
the corners of the fabric-covered backing and on the corresponding positions of the clock work
piece. Use pieces of thin double-sided tape in between the masking tape on these spots to
temporarily attach the clock work piece to the fabric-covered backing.



Thread the No. 5 blade and cut the perimeter line of the pattern through both layers. Use
calipers to measure the shaft diameter of your quarts mechanism. Use a punch tool to mark
the center position on the cross of the pattern and drill the shaft hole through both layers with
the required diameter bit. I used a 5/16 bit for my project.


Carefully detach the two work pieces and remove the tape and patterns. Lightly sand the
edges of the work pieces using 320-grit sandpaper to remove any burs. Remove all sanding
dust using a hard-bristled paintbrush.

Apply several layers of blue spray paint to the front and side surfaces of the clock. Carefully
spray the back and side surfaces of the backing. Work in the sun and allow each coat to dry
thoroughly before applying the next. Spray some gold on the moon and two of the stars.
Spray the star overlays with gold.


Apply beads of fabric glue to the back of the clock piece. Position the piece on top of the
fabric-covered backing and either apply clamps or place it under a heavy weight. Allow the
glue to dry.


Fit a saw tooth hanger to the back of the clock. Glue the star hour markers on the clock with
CA glue (use tweezers to pick up the stars and position them). Fit the quarts mechanism and
hands.