How to Build Wood Clocks
A handmade wood clock is a gift to be treasured. Make it as ornate or as simple as your level of skill allows. Replicate other clocks by using purchased plans, or imagine and create your own design. Either way, making a homemade wood clock is a satisfying way to spend a few hours of your spare time. Create a homemade wood clock for a personalized gift or a useful piece of art for your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Jig saw
- Sand paper
- Wood acrylic paint
- Wood glue
- Paint brush
- Decal numbers
- Polyurethane
- Clock works
- Plans (optional)
- Drill and bits
Instructions
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Design your clock, or purchase a plan. Plans can be as ornate as calling for wooden gears for the clock, or as simple as a plain block of wood with the clock works on the face. Create a shadow box frame fitted with personal objects, or use a slice of a tree with the bark still around the edges.
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Assemble your materials. Use high quality hardwood for the main face of the clock. Locate the drill bit that fits the hole specified by the clock works. Lay out your sandpaper, polishes, paints and brushes. Acquire battery-operated clock works from hobby shops, or remove the clock works from old clocks.
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Make the cuts to the wood to fit your specific plan or design. Cut slowly, especially if you are doing detailed work. Drill any holes required, and make any adjustments necessary so that all of the mechanisms fit together properly.
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Sand the wood to smooth out any rough edges, starting with an 80-grit and working up to a 180-grit for a highly polished finish. Take the time to sand into the edges or ridges.
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Assemble your clock and install the clock works, using wood glue and hardware to hold it securely together. Set it aside to dry overnight.
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Seal the wood to keep any oils or substances from staining it. Choose from tinted stains, clear stains or waxes, depending on the look you desire. Allow the product to dry for the recommended time, usualy overnight.
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Add your decorations, such as decals for the numbers or paint details. Hot glue any objects you want to add to the clock, or assemble and attach trim.
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Polish the assembled and decorated clock with the final finish. Allow it to dry thoroughly, and check that all parts can move freely. Add the batteries if necessary, and set it to the correct time.
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References
- Photo Credit wood clock image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
