The following is a how-to guide on how to use a milling machine to transform a piece of wood, whether precisely cut or quickly picked from scrap, and properly create a custom rustic clock!

Step 1: Materials

To begin, you will need:

A milling machine

Clock parts including motor/circuit, arms, battery, and mounting bar

Ruler (optional)

Pencil

Piece of wood suitable for clamping and milling with to act as the clock body

Protective eyewear

Ear protection

20 minutes

Step 2: After Settling on Your Clock's Face Position...

Here you see a close-up of the green mitre bit, the yellow metal clamp and the clock body. My advice is to measure out the centre of the wood you selected for easy legibility, however with this method of construction you are fairly free to experiment.

Trace the outline of the clock body as accurately as possible onto the surface of the wood, then move the bit into position above and clamp the wood down securely.

Step 3: Begin Milling!

Put on your eye protection and ear protection, try shaking the wood to confirm the clamps are locked down tight, and begin milling out the profile of the clock body. For best results make multiple passes at increments of up to 2cm at a time, otherwise you will risk stressing the bit with too much force, in addition to a slow process of chewing through so much material at once. Check in periodically to place the clock body in the recess you milled out, and measure to see how much further you need to mill in order to have the shaft of the clock body protrude through the wood out to the other side, leaving enough room for the hour and minute hand to be attached.

Step 4: Once the Clock Body and Hands Are Put Together...

Following the instructions of the clock body kit, place the mounting bar in the recess and attach the clock body securely to the wood in the orientation you prefer.

Follow this with threading the attachment ring onto the base of the clock body's shaft, then attach the hour hand, then the arm hand. Optionally, you can add a second hand or cap off the end of the shaft, depending on what pieces your DIY clock kit includes.

After placing the battery in the back of the clock body, your rustic clock should come to life!