Hi everyone! In this Instructable I’m going to show you how I made a tree ring shaped wall clock.

I made this clock to celebrate my first anniversary on YouTube.

Materials:

Plywood - 21 mm thick (your local hardware store)

Clock mechanism http://amzn.to/2pswt4Z

Colored pencils http://amzn.to/2GNEtG0

Clear fast-drying polyurethane http://amzn.to/2pr3PBM

D-ring hanger http://amzn.to/2psvtxL

Tools:

Jigsaw http://amzn.to/2pqpJFl

Router http://amzn.to/2HRqxtU

Cordless drill http://amzn.to/2FTtiKn

Dremel high performance rotary tool kit https://amzn.to/2E873Ay

Forstner drill bits http://amzn.to/2HPeI7e

Router bits http://amzn.to/2G8091l

Sanding block http://amzn.to/2IDpQVW

Let's get started!

Step 1: Making the Shape of the Clock.

This clock is made out of 21 mm thick plywood. This large plywood board is pretty heavy, so I cut it 60 by 40, which will make the drawing of the shape easier and faster.

Now, I can start drawing the shape of the clock. I wanted to make a tree ring shape, and I hope I achieved the goal.

In the beginning I drew total of 6 rings, with a nice transition between them. Actually, my plan was to make each ring a different layer, and all of them to be 3 mm high, only the smallest one to be 6 mm high. Later, I realized that I needed to make 7 rings, all with 3 mm height, which will improve the look of the clock.

But, let’s go back to the shape. Once I was done drawing, I cut with a jigsaw, following the outline of the largest layer. So, I got the final size of the clock, which is 55 by 35 cm.

Step 2: Creating All the Layers With a Router.

Now, I can rout out all the layers with a router. I already shaped the first layer with the jigsaw, so, I’ll start with the second one. The thickness of the plywood is 21 mm, which means that I need to set the cutting depth of the router bit to 18 mm in order to get 3 mm high layer.

Removing 18 mm of the thickness was pretty slow, but doable.

To make the third layer, I set the cutting depth of the router bit to 15 mm. And so on until I got to the last layer.

While outing out the sixth layer, I made a change in the plan. I decided to make one more layer, and that way all the layers will have 3 mm height.

Now all 7 layers are 3 mm high. You can notice some imperfections and knots all over the surface, but I like how they give a character to the clock.

Step 3: Making Space for the Clock Mechanism.

After I found the center of the clock mechanism, I drilled a hole for the threaded shaft to pass through.

Then, I placed the clock mechanism on the back side to trace its outline. There, I made 18 mm deep opening with the router, and when I install the mechanism, it will stay flush with the surface.

But, before using the router, I enlarged the hole with a Forstner bit.

Step 4: Drawing and Engraving the Numbers.

Once I was done with the opening, I inserted the clock mechanism. Here, I wanted to use the clock hands to mark the points where the numbers will be created.

Then, I drew the numbers in an interesting order. Numbers 3, 6, 9 and 12 are larger than the other numbers.

Engraving the numbers was very easy and fast process. I took a Dremel rotary tool, installed the flexible shaft, set the appropriate engraving bit, and engraved all the numbers.

Step 5: Sanding the Surface of the Clock.

Next, I moved on to sanding. The top layer of the plywood face was much brighter than the rest of the layers, so I wanted to remove that part and get uniform color.

First, I took 80 grit sandpaper, and then continued with 180 until I got smooth surface.

You can notice that when I sanded down the first layer, a knot appeared below number 12. I didn’t like it in the beginning, but then I realized that it actually gives the clock a special touch.

Step 6: Adding Some Color to the Numbers.

To emphasize the numbers and make them more visible, I decided to darken them.

The first thing that came to my mind was wood burning. But, after doing some tests with my soldering iron, I realized that the tip of the iron doesn’t reach the appropriate temperature, and it doesn’t burn the wood. So, I needed to find another solution.

After a while, I figured out that the best way to darken the numbers is to simply color them with colored pencil. I chose the most suitable brown color, and colored all the numbers.

It turned out amazing. The numbers got nice, uniform brown color, and I think the goal here is achieved.