Don’t worry, I didn’t destroy one of my favourite LP’s. This one was unplayable and was bought for a dollar at a charity shop. The label resembles the sound hole of an acoustic guitar and I used guitar picks to stand in for numbers on the clock face. If you also want to make your own picks check out my Instructable: https://www.instructables.com/CUSTOM-GUITAR-PICKS/ A quartz clock movement fit perfectly through the centre hole of the record. (Mine was removed from a dollar store clock)The pick guard is fashioned from card stock and the bridge from wood veneer. I also provide some tips I learned on cutting vinyl records which is not easy but do-able if you are patient.

Supplies

Tools and Materials

A variable speed scroll saw

A fine half-round file

LP record

Wood veneer

Guitar picks (12)

Quartz clock movement, hands, AA battery

Sawtooth picture hanger

Card stock- 8,1/2”x 11”

Scissors

HP pencil

Contact cement

Spray paint

Step 1: MAKE a TEMPLATE

Draw your own design on card stock. You can find many designs online or download my template pdf. Make it as close to 8, 1/2” x 11” as possible and cut out the guitar body outline with scissors.

Place the template on the record in the correct orientation and trace the outline with the HB pencil.

The pick guard is made from the same card stock so once done with the template you can cut it out and spray it with any colour you want. I used Bronze hammer-tone.

Guitar body: pick guard pdf.pdf
Download

Step 2: CUTTING THE VINYL RECORD

Before you cut, here are some tips:

Not all records are easily cuttable. Thicker is usually better.

Make some test cuts first.

Use a blade designed for thin plastic.

Use a very slow speed.

Make relief cuts removing small pieces as you go.

Keep the cuts uncomplicated ( No ornate designs.)

Clean up cut edges with a fine half-round file to remove any burrs.

Step 3: CLOCK FACE

Glue the pick guard to the face.

HINT: Numbers on the clock are 30 degrees apart. You could use a protractor to locate the positions. Easier way: Cut a cardboard wedge at a 30 degree angle with long sides the distance you want your picks from the centre. Start at 12 o’clock. Put a pencil dot at each point. Keep rotating the wedge and marking the positions till done.

Glue your picks in place with contact cement.

Make a bridge from wood veneer. It should cut with scissors. Glue it with contact cement.

Step 4: QUARTZ MOVEMENT

My dollar store clock just snapped apart and the hands simply pulled off. I sprayed the hands white so they would show up against the black background.

I glued the quartz movement to the back of the record with contact cement. The hands just pushed back on.

Once the AA battery was installed it was good to go.

NOTES: I glued a sawtooth picture hanger to the back of the clock movement. Also, I am Old School, so I don’t need numbers. If desired, they could be applied to each pick.