Creating a Clock From (Almost) Scratch

IMPORTANT: THIS CLOCK WAS MADE THROUGH RECYCLED MATERIAL!

Why Do We Recycle?

Recycling is a huge part of our society that can help us out to reduce the amount of pollution in our environment very greatly!

How Did I Recycle to Create My Project?

I used recycled wood from my school in order to create the general circle for my clock. I also used objects and machines around me in order to create the design and other aspects of my clock. I used the computer available to me in order to create the sleek and quite simple design for my clock. This project has showed me how important recycling is to us, and how many things we as people can create from using recycling.

Supplies

Inkscape
Wood-Laser Engraver
Sanding Machine
Drills
Band Saw
Polyurethane
Steel Wool
X-Carve Machine

Step 1: Starting My Project

To start my project, I went into the supply room in my tech class to get a piece of wood. I made sure to chose a flat and somewhat smooth piece of wood to help make my clock sleek. I wanted to make sure that my clock would turn out nice and simple, but with good wood to keep it looking great.

Step 2: Creating a Design for My Clock

Personally, I like sleek and simple looks, so that is what I was trying to do with my design. I used a program called Inkscape to create the outline for my clock (seen above). In the program, you can create several shapes and different images using the tools available within the program. There are many different designs that can be created within the program, making the amount of designs for clocks to be just about infinite.

Step 3: Creating a Circle From My Wood

Using the program Inkscape, I created a circle that would fit the shape of my clock. I made my clock 9 inches by 9 inches. The circle I created also had a small hole within the exact center of the circle. This circle is made so that the clock motor could easily and smoothly penetrate the surface of the clock to make the perfect fit.

Step 4: Creating the Circle Itself

After creating my circle in Inkscape, my teacher ran the original piece of wood through the X-Carve to create a silhouette of the circle that I created myself. With the shape my teacher created with the machine, I used the band saw (seen above) to carve my wood into the circle that I planned for it to be. Once I created my circle, it was time to move to the next step.

Step 5: Sanding the Clock

In order the make the wood on my clock smooth and more fine, I started using the sanding machine in the workshop. I started with 60 grit sand paper, and then continuously moved to higher grits, to make the wood finer and more smooth. I also sanded my wood far enough to the point where the markings from the x carve were no longer visible. (The 'Scorch' Lines seen above)

Step 6: Placing My Design Onto the Clock

Using the CAD system we have at my school, I used the laser engraver in order to place the design that I created onto the face of the clock. As seen in the picture above, the laser engraver as in its name, simply engraves my design that I created within inkscape onto the clock.

Step 7: Creating Space for the Clock Motor

(Photo above is before using laser engraver)

To create a simple fit for the clock motor, I created a square within Inkscape that was the size of the perimeter of the clock motor. I also made the depth similar to the depth of the clock motor itself so that it could fit easily and well. This made it so that the clock motor would not be jutting out of the back side of the clock.

Step 8: Fitting the Hands on the Clock

After creating ample space for the clock motor, I tested to see if the clock motor fit well into the clock along with the clock hands on the motor. I saw that the hole I created for the clock motor was just about perfect, andthe clock motor fit well. The hands of the clock represent a simple but sleek design.

Step 9: Applying Polyurethane to My Clock

To add a darker tint and a shiny effect to my clock, I coated the clock with ployurethane three times. I waited a day before each coat of poly, so that I wouldn't create too many air bubbles within the wood of my clock. Before each coat besides the first coat, I sanded my clock with a piece of steel wool so that I could remove some air bubbles from my wood.

Step 10: Final Product

After about two weeks of work, I have finally created a sleek and smooth clock from a simple plank of wood. The CAD system at my school truly helped in the process of fine tuning the shape, tint, and smoothness of my clock. Without the CAD system, I probably would not have been able to create the clock that I did.