Build a globe clock

Well, I looked around my junk pile to see what I could combine for a new project, and what I found was an old globe and a wall thermometer that was perpetually stuck on 80 degrees.  Seemed like a good combination for a project!

What I did was use the bezel of the thermometer as a frame, and inset half of the globe into the frame and made it into a clock.  I also discovered a good use for the other half of the globe, which I'll get into in the last step.

Step 1: Cutting the globe & adding the clock

I began by cutting the globe in half at the equator.  Since sawing cardboard would produce a pretty jagged edge, I simply used a shop knife and kept scoring around the equator until the globe was cut in half.

I drilled a hole in the end (North Pole) and mounted a quartz clock movement.  I guess I could have stopped here and just mounted the globe clock on the wall, but I wanted to make use of the old thermometer housing.

Comments

[Desael]

I know I'm late here, but this looks so awesome! I've been searching for a gift idea for a geography professor who was nice enough to write recommendation letter for me and this doesn't look too hard. granted, i have VERY little experience with making things so my question is: what exactly is a "shop knife"??? thanks a lot for sharing your idea!

[knife141]

Thank you for your comment! A shop knife is a knife with disposable blades -- I use the kind that you can snap off to get to a new point. Any sharp knife will do the job, but it needs to be really sharp and thin. Shop knives are very sharp and thin, and cheap.

[ZoDo]

Very original. Keep it up

[Chief51]

Now that is a good looking project.

[knife141]

Thank's for your comment!

[medionlvr]

What an simple yet awesome project.looks like its time to shop at goodwill for a globe. i think i will make 12:00 at the prime meridian. Thanks for the great idea.

[knife141]

You're welcome, and thanks for the kind words. Good luck with your project!

[ganny]

Very Interesting...Must Try...Good Job !!

[knife141]

Thank you! It is not difficult -- give it a try.

[Madrigorne]

If you get some copper tape from your local stained glass or hobby store you could edge the decorative bowl too.

[knife141]

Great idea! Thanks.

[GingerGirl]

Klockit "ideas" seem rather costly.

Thanks knife141, great idea!

[knife141]

This clock is not costly at all! Thanks for your comment.

[BusySummerBee]

the clocks in KLOCKIT site are costly, is what I said.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[debefree]

Love your idea, I have to steal it
I have a globe somewhere!

[knife141]

Steal away, my friend, steal away!

[Loosewire; SOE Operative]

Hehe!! I like it! Cool and all in-keeping with the turn of the century style.
I like the idea of casually walking by and noticing that it is half past Reykjavik :D

[tpobrienjr]

Klockit.com has a gallery of clever ideas like this one, and I recommend that you send them a picture!

The globe clock would look good in my ham radio room - next to the clock from the Soviet nuclear submarine!

[knife141]

Thanks! I'll have to check them out.

[ThatEmilyPerson]

Very clever idea! I actually have two globes sitting around that I've been trying to figure out something to do with and have been disappointed at the dearth of globe-related 'ibles, so I was really happy to see yours featured on the front page. I'm gonna have to see if I can do this, great idea!

[knife141]

It is a really very easy project. With two globes, you could actually make up to 4 clocks showing the time in different parts of the world. Good luck!

[Oldbear]

That goes along with my train of though - the put the "axles" for the clock through the map at your location. I realize it would be hard to cut nicely - but be still be neat. And if you had more room around the globe for background - you could put LED's in for stars...

Get instructable, by the way - great up-cycling!!!

[knife141]

Thanks for the feedback.

[bajablue]

5 Billion Stars!!!

[knife141]

5 Billion thanks!!

[froze]

If you use a 24 hour clock you could track solar position with the hour hand, that would be cool... er hot! ;-)

[knife141]

Good idea. Thanks for the comment.

[medionlvr]

good looking project. did you curve the hands to fit the contour of the globe?

[knife141]

Yes, I did bend them to follow the curve of the globe.