Welcome to raynerd.co.uk, where passion meets precision! I’m a dedicated hobby engineer from the North West of England, fueled by a profound love for DIY clockmaking and all things hobby engineering. While I may not have a professional engineering background, my enthusiasm knows no bounds, and I relish the opportunity to embark on new projects. Join me on this exciting journey of discovery and creation as we delve into the fascinating world of hands-on engineering! The latest videos from my youtube channel @craynerd are shown below, or browse the categories in the menu above to see all my projects.
A 20-Year Journey in DIY Clockmaking and Horology – From a Student’s Desk to Precision Clocks
My passion for horology and DIY clockmaking began over 20 years ago at university. It all started when I became fascinated by a Patek Philippe watch worn by my professor. Intrigued by the exploded diagrams and fine mechanics of watches, I soon used part of my student loan to buy a Unimat 3 lathe. That small machine on my desk was the beginning of a lifelong journey into mechanical engineering and clockmaking.
At the time, John Wilding was serialising Woodward’s Gearless Clock in Model Engineer, and I eagerly tried to follow along. With limited tools, no tutors, and only a fraction of today’s online resources, I struggled—though not for lack of enthusiasm. I detoured into engine building for a while, constructing wobbler engines and a Webster IC engine, where I found more available help and shared knowledge among hobby engineers.
In 2008, I returned to my true calling: DIY clockmaking. I completed Wilding’s Gearless Clock and fully rebuilt a partially constructed Congreve clock. Around the same time, I moved house, welcomed my second child, and began developing my current home workshop—a compact, slightly damp space that still serves as the base for all my horological projects. Take a look at my workshop tours to see how it’s evolved over the years.
In 2019, I started work on Wilding’s Tower Clock, a long-term DIY clockmaking project delayed by COVID and career demands but recently completed. I’m now working on Bernard Tekippe’s Regulator Clock, a beautifully precise design that combines traditional horology with advanced techniques—exactly the kind of project that keeps my interest in clock engineering alive.
I’ve learned a huge amount over two decades in DIY clockmaking, thanks to forums like NAWCC, Model-Engineer.co.uk, and MadModder. The encouragement and expertise of hobbyists and professional clockmakers have shaped my development more than any manual ever could. I’m always happy to speak with others who share an interest in DIY clockmaking, mechanical design, or home workshop engineering—so feel free to get in touch.