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DIY clocks

Gary’s Wooden Clocks: What We Know About the Free Plans

A 2006 reference describes Gary’s Wooden Clocks plans and DXF files, but their present availability is unverified. Here’s what makers can confirm and a separate plan source to consider.

By ThatPainter Team 3 min read
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Gary’s Wooden Clocks was described in 2006 as a source of wooden-clock plans and DXF files, including a “world’s simplest clock” and a CD-Paper Clip Clock. The old site could not be accessed for this article, so whether its files are still available—and what they require—remains unverified. If you want plans you can check now, Brian Law’s Woodenclocks is a separate source with free PDF drawings and a sample DXF file.

What were Gary’s wooden-clock plans?

A 2006 Make: article linked to Gary’s Wooden Clocks and described the site as offering plans and DXF files. It mentioned two projects: a “world’s simplest clock” and a “CD-Paper Clip Clock.” That is historical evidence of what the site offered at the time, not confirmation that the files remain available today.

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The linked legacy page could not be accessed, so there is no verified current download link, plan format beyond that historical description, materials list, dimensions, build instructions, or license information for Gary’s designs. Treat any copy of the plans you find elsewhere as unverified unless it can be traced back to the designer and its terms.

Where can you find wooden-clock plans now?

Brian Law’s Woodenclocks is a separate option

Brian Law’s downloads page lists free PDF drawings and a sample DXF file, as well as paid plan-file packages. These are Brian Law designs, not Gary’s plans; the page does not establish that the files are interchangeable or that its terms apply to Gary’s work.

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Brian Law says clock construction can be challenging and may require a scroll saw, bandsaw, or CNC router, with a lathe for round parts. Those are guidance for his own designs, not confirmed requirements for Gary’s plans. His page also says the files are for personal use and may not be redistributed or used to build clocks for sale for personal gain. Check the current page for the applicable terms before using those files.

Choose a format and fabrication method you can use

PDF drawings are suited to viewing and printing; DXF is a drawing format often used in digital fabrication workflows, but a DXF file alone does not guarantee that a particular CNC or laser setup can use it without adjustment. Confirm the file’s scale, geometry, and compatibility with your equipment before cutting. A maker-forum discussion points to Brian Law’s files and discusses adapting drawings for laser cutting, but it does not show that Gary’s plans are laser-ready.

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  • Scroll saw: Consider it if you plan to cut parts by hand and have the relevant experience. Brian Law names it as one possible tool for his builds.
  • Bandsaw: Another option named by Brian Law; suitability depends on the part shapes and your equipment.
  • CNC router: May suit a digital workflow, but check that the specific drawing file works with your machine and software.

These are equipment considerations for Brian Law’s plans and general fabrication choices—not a verified shopping list for Gary’s designs.

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How does a wooden gear clock work?

As general context, a wooden gear clock can use a descending weight as its power source. The weight turns interconnected gears, while a pendulum and escapement regulate the release of energy so the mechanism advances in controlled intervals rather than unwinding all at once. A ratchet can be used to wind or reset the clock. An Instructables wooden-clock build describes this kind of mechanism; it does not document the construction of Gary’s particular plans.

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What to verify before you build

  • Confirm that the files come from the designer or an authorized source, and check any stated use or sharing restrictions.
  • Check whether the plan includes all necessary drawings and instructions, and whether it is intended for printing, CNC work, or another method.
  • Make sure you can interpret the drawings and have access to suitable tools before committing to a build.
  • For Gary’s designs specifically, do not assume current availability, exact dimensions, materials, or tool requirements: those details could not be verified from the accessible historical reference.

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