The clockwork shop
Fact-checked printables for the kitchen table and the classroom, plus a short list of books, kits and tools for clock and clockwork fans. Every purchase helps keep this site free.
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Clockwork printables
Fact-checked PDFs in A4 and US Letter, sold as instant downloads from the ReallyByte store: our own drawings, things to make and worksheets with answers. Prices in US dollars.
The Clocks and Clockwork Reference Guide
Our own drawings and plain explanations of gears and gear trains, the verge and anchor escapements, the pendulum, mainsprings, the fusee and the balance spring, the history from water clocks and the Antikythera mechanism to tower clocks, and John Harrison’s sea clocks, with every source compared and a glossary. 14 pages, A4 and US Letter.
The Clockwork Activity Pack
Two paper gears to cut out and turn, a gear experiment, a pendulum timing experiment, gear maths, label the clock, a 12-question quiz and myth or fact, all with answers and the source behind each one. 13 pages, A4 and US Letter.
The Clockwork Printables Bundle
Both clockwork packs in one download, A4 and US Letter: the Reference Guide and the Activity Pack. $8.49 instead of $10.48 bought separately. 27 pages, A4 and US Letter.
Books & kit
Affiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These are Amazon UK search links, not endorsements of particular products. Read reviews and pick what suits you.
Books
- Books about clocks and clockmaking (affiliate link)The story of timekeeping, from water clocks to watches.
- Books about John Harrison and longitude (affiliate link)The carpenter, his sea clocks and the prize.
- Books about mechanical watches (affiliate link)Mainsprings, balances and escapements, explained.
- Books about the Antikythera mechanism (affiliate link)The ancient Greek geared computer.
- Clock books for children (affiliate link)First guides to gears, pendulums and telling the time; check the age range.
Build and look
- Build-your-own clock kits (affiliate link)Assemble a real escapement and gear train; check the age range.
- Wooden mechanical clock models (affiliate link)Laser-cut gears and a pendulum you put together yourself.
- Gear toy sets (affiliate link)Wheels that turn each other: count the teeth.
- LEGO Technic (affiliate link)Gears, axles and worm gears in brick form.
- Pendulum kits (affiliate link)Time the swings yourself.
- Watchmaker’s loupes (affiliate link)A magnifier for looking at small gears.
- Watch tool kits (affiliate link)Tiny screwdrivers and tweezers for the curious.
Fun
- Skeleton mechanical watches (affiliate link)Watches with see-through dials, so you can watch the balance swing.
- Clock mechanism posters (affiliate link)Gears and escapements for the wall.
- Sand timers (affiliate link)Timekeeping before gears.
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