The Worlds Most High Tech Clock

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Well, it was at one time, a long long time ago.It's called an armillary sphere sundial. I made it many moons ago for my girlfriend.(She has, against her better judgment, stuck it out to become my wife)When I first built I cleaned it up to almost polished steel with clearcoat. It looked nice but made reading the time hard because the shadows didn't show up well and it only lasted a few years before it began to rust.I cleaned the rust and painted it with that fake verdigris paint from Lowe's.It looked good at first and made reading much easier, but only lasted 2 years before it began to rust again.Last week I dropped it off at the powder coater's shop for blasting and coating with "medium bright green texture" p-coat finish. I got it back yesterday.I'm very pleased with the finish and it ought to last much much longer than the previous paint jobs.It was actually built for locating at our 1st house but still is accurate (as much as a sundial can be) here in our current home, which ins't too far away.My little helper tightening the bolt that keeps it pointed north.The sundial itselfThe base. I thought since it's an armillary sphere I'd make the base from a sphere as well.You can just make out the center punch marks that indicate the hour. Noon is the spot with 2 marks. This shot was taken at 10:52 am. "But Brian if I'm reading it right that should be 9:52 am, right?"Well you're right, but summer here is eastern daylight savings time and I built it to read eastern standard time, so it reads an hour slow in the summer, and correctly in the winter.But sundials can fool you, even if built for the right time zone, and latitude/longitude there's still the "equation of time" to consider. Any sundial will be correct according to "clock time" at certain times of the year and be up to 45 minutes (+/-) fast or slow at other times of the year.Technically any sundial is mostly based on "local apparent time".Apparently, locally it is time for a cold beer. Cheers.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:that is nice
Reply:really coolUA Local 598
Reply:Good job. The powder coat looks fantastic... it almost looks like aged copper. Your wife should be very happy.
Reply:Originally Posted by app-ironworksllcBut sundials can fool you, even if built for the right time zone, and latitude/longitude there's still the "equation of time" to consider. Any sundial will be correct according to "clock time" at certain times of the year and be up to 45 minutes (+/-) fast or slow at other times of the year.
Reply:Cool. I need to get some spring projects going.
Reply:Your ornamental stuff, and stairs are great.  I don't have the eye or the skill for that kind of thing."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Brian,I always enjoy your posts! Your knowledge and talent are apparent to all.I'm curious how you can calculate the sundial based on your specific location? Is there a source or program that you can recommend?Thanks for a very interesting post.BurtBurt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Thanks, yall.Here's the book that I got the formulas from. Lot's of good info in there.Sundials: Their Theory and Construction ~ Albert Waughhttp://www.amazon.com/Sundials-Theor.../dp/0486229475Last edited by app-ironworksllc; 05-30-2010 at 08:45 PM.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Fer de Vries of the Netherlands has written some free software for doing sundials:http://www.de-zonnewijzerkring.nl/en...oad-zw2000.htmhttp://www.de-zonnewijzerkring.nl/eng/I stumbled across the software while working on a pattern for a sundial I'm casting.
Reply:I like it. But it would not work where we are. We are going in another direction.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:Originally Posted by William McCormick JrI like it. But it would not work where we are. We are going in another direction.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:The guys that made that clock worked pretty hard at it. They had to change the rotation of the motor, and silk screen a new face. Sorry I cannot help your or my age, we are stuck with experience and wisdom now, sure we also have good looks, charm, great sense of humor, and we are adorned by all the women. But that isn't everything. We don't have brand new welders.        Sincerely,             William McCormick