How to Make a Clock Out of Wood

Wood clocks can add a natural wood finishing beauty to your home or cabin, especially if you have wood paneled floors and walls. Personalizing your own wooden clock adds a zest of craftsmanship not otherwise seen in store bought clocks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 35 inch Redwood slab
• Clock mechanism
• AA battery
• 2 metal hangers
• Chainsaw
• 120 grit belt
• 80 grit belt
• 50 grit belt
• Drill press
• 1 inch Router tool
• Kwik-bond super glue

1. Chainsaw a 1 1/2 inch piece of redwood stump or redwood burl to make the face clock foundation. If you don't have access to this material, you can purchase it over the Internet.
2. Rub down the clock foundation with a 50 grit belt, then refine the clock stump with an 80 grit belt and do a final polish with a 120 grit belt.
3. Position your clock face on the redwood with at least a minimum of an 8 inch diameter to spare. Pinpoint the area with a circular compass lightly outlining a 6 inch circle for the clock mechanism. Bore a 5/16 inch hole in the middle of the clock face with a drill press. Then cut a 4 inch diameter circle on the other side directly aligned with the 5/16 inch hole.
4. Carve a 1 inch hole in the middle of the 4 inch circle with a 1 inch router, and then remove the remaining dust with a cloth. Super glue the clock numbers around the perimeter of the 6 inch diameter, giving two hours to dry. Paint a resin and catalyst mixture on the redwood chunk, then let dry.
5. Fasten metal hangers on the opposite side of the clock face using brads, and then attach the clock machinery on the routed part of the slab using screws. Super glue the second, minute and hour hands on the face of the clock and finally place one AA battery in your finished masterpiece.