Gravity-Powered Pendulum Clock Kit – DIY Mechanical Escapement STEM Model

Description

A clock you can build and see inside

No batteries and no motor: a hanging weight (a 550 ml water bottle works well) slowly descends and drives the gear train, while the escapement lets it move one tick at a time. The open frame lets learners watch every part at work, from the winding drum to the hands on the dial.

What learners discover

• How gravitational potential energy becomes motion
• How gear ratios slow a falling weight down to clock speed
• Why a clock needs an escapement, and what happens without one
• Periodic motion: one full back-and-forth swing of the regulator is set to one second
• Calibration: slide the regulator weights inward to speed up, outward to slow down

How it works

• Hang the assembled clock securely and attach a weight of about 550 g to the lower hook.
• Turn the key to wind the cord and raise the weight.
• Give the regulator a gentle push to start it swinging.
• Time the swing against a stopwatch and slide the regulator weights to fine-tune the rate.
• When the weight reaches the bottom, rewind with the key and keep going.

In the box

• Frame plates, gear wheels, and clock dial
• Escapement and regulator bar with two adjustable weights
• Winding key, hour hand, hooks, and drive cord
• Screwdriver

Good to know

• This is a teaching model, not a precision timepiece; accuracy depends on assembly, friction, and adjustment.
• Use a weight of about 550 g. Heavier loads can strain the gears and cord.
• Keep fingers and hair away from moving gears. Contains small parts.