How to Make a Craft Out of an Antique Clock

Make a secret compartment from a wooden clock.

If you have an antique wooden grandfather clock that has fallen into disrepair and is too far gone to revive, don't discard it. You can make a secret box out of it by removing the mechanical parts. Grandfather clocks need a large boxlike opening inside to house the movement and spring. By removing the parts from the clock, you can use it as a type of secret compartment to store keys, jewelry or even important papers.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdrivers
• Plywood strip, 1/4-by-6-by-12 inches
• Miter saw
• Adhesive hook and loop material, 3/4-by-3/4 inch
• Hot melt glue gun

Instructions

1. Open the bottom door to the clock. Reach in and remove the weights from the chains. They are held in place by a simple hook, just lift them off.

2. Open the door to get access to the clock hands. Unscrew the knob that holds the hands to the clock face and remove them.

3. Unscrew the small brass screws around the perimeter of the clock face with either a Phillips or flathead screwdriver. Pull the face --- the metal plate with the numbers-- off the clock.

4. Reach into the opening with a screwdriver. Unscrew and remove all screws. Every screw that holds the movement is accessible from the front.

5. Grab the movement with both hands and lift it up slowly. When it is above the opening, pull it out through the face. It will drag the chains behind it, that's OK.

6. Measure and cut a piece of 1/4-inch plywood with the miter saw to cover the opening where the chains passed through the base. This is the bottom of the box.

7. Turn the clock face down. Place a 3/4-by-3/4 inch piece of adhesive hook and loop material at each corner and one in the center to cover the back of the hole where the hands passed through.

8. Turn the clock face right side up. Place a small drop of hot-melt glue in the center where the hands came off. The hook and loop material will stop it from going through. Place the hands in the hot-melt glue while it is still hot. Choose a time that you like, the hands will stay that way. Wait for the glue to dry for one hour.

9. Place a 3/4-by-3/4-inch piece of adhesive hook and loop at each corner where the clock face came off. Place your secret items inside the clock. Place the clock face back on the clock using the hook and loop to secure it.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a compartment in antique mantel clocks the same way if they are big enough.

• Don't discard the mechanical parts. You may want to restore the clock in the future. All of these actions are reversible.