Nigel Purdy Modelmaking

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Architectural and interactive models made to illustrate planning details or explain a concept in way that is easy to understand - for architects and museums
Please contact me by Messenger if you wish to discuss a project or item.

Just dropped this off to my customer. An "E. Ingraham" mantle clock. Restored the face and case and serviced the mechani...
28/05/2026

Just dropped this off to my customer. An "E. Ingraham" mantle clock. Restored the face and case and serviced the mechanism.

19/05/2026

A short video of a Rack & Snail striking mechanism in a clock in the workshop at the moment (it was jammed and broken - now repaired!) This system started to take over in the late 17th century (tho' the old Chime wheel on the reverse of the mechanism did carry on in local clockmakers for another 75 years or so....) I've edited the video - you'll notice that the minute hand does jump forward - if it didn't it would you would be starinng at the screen for 5 mins! The end of the Rack drops onto the Snail which puts the Rack in the right position for the correct strikes

So...amongst other stuff...I've been strugglig with this cathedral skeleton clock, which snapped its main wheel?! (this ...
14/05/2026

So...amongst other stuff...I've been strugglig with this cathedral skeleton clock, which snapped its main wheel?! (this is the one that has drive from the escapement and also moves the minute hand - and then the hour hand) right at the back. So I had to turn up a "splint" on the lathe and hard silver solder the three pieces together. I'm now just re-assembling the mechanism. The pictures are in order of repair. The last video is of the repaired main wheel, soldered and polished having a spin test to trueness - happy with that!

This gorgeous William Peacock longcase clock has just left the workshop to go back to Kimbolton in Cambridgeshire. Had l...
30/04/2026

This gorgeous William Peacock longcase clock has just left the workshop to go back to Kimbolton in Cambridgeshire. Had lots of repair done - chime mechanism, sorting the date ring, face cleaning, cabinet repairs, new lock on door, repairs to back panel, new cord for the weight, setting up & testing. From a noworking wreck to a beautiful clock. - This clock was "born" in Kimbolton & now carries on it's life there again! (some shots at the end of the clock when it came to me 5 weeks ago)

I've posted some pages from my workbook of illustrations (that I do for my own reference) on the clocks that I have done...
29/04/2026

I've posted some pages from my workbook of illustrations (that I do for my own reference) on the clocks that I have done recently.

Well - further to my post about the broken main spring - I tried (about three times) to aneall the end to make a new anc...
24/04/2026

Well - further to my post about the broken main spring - I tried (about three times) to aneall the end to make a new anchor hole for the arbor (the bit you wind) but it stayed brittle!? Turns out that the steel has prbably been contamiated by nitrogen during the smelting process! Anyway - ground a new hole with a dremmel. Now to fit it! I should just say that the clock was made in china probably 20 or so years ago & is pretending to be a late 19th century painted French bracket clock.

Good start to the day...NOT! a broken main springs in both barrels of the french bracket clock I picked up yesterday. Oh...
21/04/2026

Good start to the day...NOT! a broken main springs in both barrels of the french bracket clock I picked up yesterday. Oh hum - search for new or repair?

10/04/2026

Perfect harmony👌⏱️ rwo clocks in unison!

SO! today's little adventure in clock repairs involved putting a new pinion in this wheel (second from escapement) from ...
08/04/2026

SO! today's little adventure in clock repairs involved putting a new pinion in this wheel (second from escapement) from the longcase clock from my previous "tour" I did a while back - the one that "dwelled". Originally thought it was a worn bush in the back plate, but turned out to be on inspection a worn pinion😳🫣. Anyway, old pinion removed, new 1.5mm hole drilled into end & a new pinion (from a dead/donor mechanism) was soldered in with a shoulder & profiled to suit. Will be putting this in tomorrow & testing it - fingers crossed🤞 First photo is the worn pinion - you can see the wear as a "mushroom" shape, then the second photo is the repair.

Address

Halesworth

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+44 1986 874260

Website

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