Socially Confused Clock

I was trying to make something not totally steampunk, but "gear inspired", so I decided to take apart a cheap alarm clock, and make it look different. I also wanted everything to move. I realized that I could make the hours move around the clock, instead of the hour hand pointing to them. And so it was done. I also enjoy weird timepieces. Ones that you have to decode in order to read. This one is fairly simple to read, but is different than the regular clock.

This is a simple project that can easily be done in the course of watching a movie, aka, not too much thought.

Step 1 Objects to gather.

- Old-Skool Windup Alarm Clock
- Paint (black and red is what I used, you can use whatever you like)
- Craft Knife
- Glue (hot, elmers, and super will all work)
- Basic tools (pliers usually get the job done)
- Packaging Tape
- Scissors
- Pen
- Coathanger (for a stand)

Comments

[poptart9]

to make a clock run "backwards", why not just flip the mechanism over. from behind a clock is running backwards....

[golddigger1559]

you have a binary watch dont you

[Goodhart]

Now, if you could only get it to RUN backwards..... :-) Otherwise it is still a nice little project.

[jongscx]

http://backwardstime-moddy.blogspot.com/

pretty easy, just don't lose the gears.

[$ NAB $]

I always tried to make a backward moving clock. Somebody must make an instructable on this.

[GordieGii]

You could buy a barber clock (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32911&cat=1,42405,42406) and mod the face so the numbers are the right way around.

[Goodhart]

great idea !   or in the spirit of instructables, look inside so one could replicate the movement :-)

 

[CybergothiChe]

 I did , and so did Glitchmaker :)

[Goodhart]

You can actually buy one from a novelty shop that runs backwards....

[Owlbear]

to make a backwards clock use anold,cheap, electric clock and wire it backwards. most clocks that old dont keep time well since they don't convert from 110v to 120v so its no big loss if it doesn't work

[$ NAB $]

I did tried that but it didn't turn out to be good.

[the_mad_man]

why are we changing clockwise? I'm confused enough in life as it is.

[alextippins]

there are currently two different instructables on the subject although havent gotten a chance to try this it seems pretty simple and straight forward
http://www.instructables.com/id/Reverse_Clock_1/

[CybergothiChe]

 I would highly recommend it :P

[dagenius]

because since the gear is attached to where the hour hand should be, the gear will run clockwise, thus the numbers must be numbered backwards.

[Goodhart]

Since the numbers are backwards, the clock would be more readable again, but it would still be a bit crazy. :-) Plus it is a challenge ;-)

[Doctor What]

Thanks! Run backwards? HMMM... *thinks*

[Wesley666]

I have looked at some cheap clocks and they have a coil that gets pulsed by a little circuit board (if it is not mechanical) that turns the first gear that turns the rest. My question is would you be able to cut the to coil leads and just switch them and it would go backwards?

[hiroe]

no it wouldn't. if it uses I coil that means it uses electromagnets, electromegnets work the same way no matter the polarity. if there's 2 electromagnets then the order they pulse could reverse them but with just one, not so much.

[Wesley666]

Ok thx. I wasn't sure it was just a thought.

[tanmanknex]

it might... the only way to find out is to try!!! and have fun while you're at it!!!

[tanmanknex]

here's a link to another instructable.http://www.instructables.com/id/Reverse_Clock_1/

[omnibot]

Nope, wouldn't work. Reason being that the coil works as an electromagnet and the part attracted by it is not magnetized so reversing the field changes nothing, also the gears and so on will not turn backwards. There is an instructable for a reverse clock mod somewhere which solves this elegantly, suggest that one but am to lazy to link.

[Wesley666]

Ok thx. I wasn't sure it was just a thought.

[microman171]

I was just thinking that

[dagenius]

how does the minute hand turn?

[finfan7]

Not a bad gearpunk creation seems in need of a little sanding though.

[cowscankill]

Idk how to read it xD I don't get how to read the minutes?

[Doctor What]

The minute hand! The hours are read backward.

[stephenniall]

Oo cool but im gonna do this with a old bicycle cog

[judith_ou]

Wow, I love this project: it's so simple yet I never would've thought of it. Looking forward to giving it a try!

[wgrazier]

What a cool post. My brain is buzzing with ideas of turning my boring wall clock into something cool, too. Thanks for sharing.

[ChrysN]

Great work, turning a plain and ordinary clock into something funky and unique, and getting it done in the course of watching a movie. Nicely done!