counting the number of turns

[Brock Little]

It was a battery operated analogue wall clock with a traditional circular face, not a digital style or the old 'flick' style. These clocks are as cheap as dirt, I didn't even have to go out and buy one, it was in the lounge room all along.
It's just a matter of removing the single AA battery and yanking off the seconds hand. This exposes the small shaft in the centre. Just have a quick look at the centre shaft and it's easy enough to work out from there.

[David Schwab]

It was a battery operated analogue wall clock with a traditional circular face, not a digital style or the old 'flick' style. These clocks are as cheap as dirt, I didn't even have to go out and buy one, it was in the lounge room all along.
It's just a matter of removing the single AA battery and yanking off the seconds hand. This exposes the small shaft in the centre. Just have a quick look at the centre shaft and it's easy enough to work out from there.

Right, I got all that.... but how did you make it go 300 RPM? The battery powered clocks use a quartz crystal to set the speed. Second hands on clocks travel at 1 RPM.

[Spence]

I suspect he was using the clock as a counter, driven by the winder.

[Brock Little]

I suspect he was using the clock as a counter, driven by the winder.

Sorry guys. I thought that was kinda obvious.
The idea came to me because you can wind the hands of these clocks to set the time. by removing the seconds hand then you have the central shaft exposed and you have the means to count each revolution by running an extension from the winder.
I was in the process of making a reducer for the crappy old winder i was using so i could get higher speeds from the winder without having to run ye olde clock at warp speeds. Then a better winder made itself available (read: better funds became available for new winder).
It's not very hi tech, but as has been implied, nothing inspires innovation like a shallow pocket.

[David Schwab]

Sorry guys. I thought that was kinda obvious.

Ah, now I see it...

Nothing is ever obvious to me! Not even the obvious... the obtuse I see with no problem however!

...nothing inspires innovation like a shallow pocket.

I agree. I've invented some cool stuff because I couldn't afford to go out and buy something... I started building basses because I couldn't afford what I wanted.. only to spend much more on machines!