How to build a hard drive clock

If you have any old broken computers lying around, you can make use of the old hard drive! With a few simple steps you can turn a worthless piece of metal into a sleek looking clock (even desk sized with laptop hard drives!).

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver set (type varies)
• Dremel/drill
• Hot glue gun or super glue
• Clock mechanism from any hobby store

1. Remove the screws holding the front plate from the hard drive. The screw types vary by model, so if you don't have the proper screwdriver you can use the dremel to sand off the head of the screws.

2. Once the plate is removed, you will be able to drill through the center of the hard drive platters (through the rotor, not the platters themselves). The size of the hole you need to make depends on the clock mechanism you purchased. Usually the hole is only a couple of centimeters across.

3. Once the hole has been drilled, you can add the clock mechanism. There are several ways you can secure it, but I have used super glue and a glue gun. Both work well.

4. You are now finished! You may want to wipe off any fingerprints from the hard drive platters, as they are very reflective and show almost all dust/dirt.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow these exact same steps with a 2.5-inch hard drive from a laptop! You may need to use a smaller clock mechanism if you do this.
• Use eye protection! You will be sanding/drilling through metal, and there will be sparks and possibly shrapnel. Use caution when doing this.

[stanleyfisher]

on 6/28/2009 check out www.debrace.com
They have this hard drive clock with nice housing!