I don't listen to any of my old records, but I really like to have them around. Luckily enough, so do my friends. Another point we have in common is an appreciation of knowing what time it is. I've been messing around with records and have solved my dilemmas of where to where to put my apples and candles, but I can always use another clock.

Thanks to my local thrift store and IKEA I can make a unique clock for less than $5. It's an easy and fun present that can be torn apart for any future clock simply by ripping the mechanism out again.

Step 1: Find a Record

Gazing into Barry's eyes transports me to a golden past that I never experienced the first time around, but now feel as if it's my own. But as I will ever treasure this 12 by 12 inch slice of heaven from the 70s the true goal in finding a record is one where the small label in the middle of the record is what matters.

Another key thing to look for is a cheap and floppy slab of black PVC when digging through the thrift store. These will soften faster and be easier to work with.

Step 2: Toss It in the Oven

Preheat your oven to 220F/100C and toss in the record for a couple minutes. When it's thoroughly flopping about, yank it out and run to a table to do the next step.

Run! It hardens quickly!

Step 3: Shape

Find a nice and level table with a straight edge and hang the record over the side of it. Make sure the label is aligned to your supreme satisfaction and flatten out the record on the tabletop. You can try to shape the hanging vinyl, but I've found that the random curves that form on their own are typically fantastic and do a lovely job of reflecting the light.

If you mess this up, throw it back in the oven. This picture is the result of about six tries.

Step 4: Dismantle a Clock

If you're lucky enough to live near an IKEA and can shop there during a weekday, then you can get a Rusch clock for $3. You can easily open it up to get the clock movement and hands out of it. Just be sure to ditch the second hand. It makes far too much noise to merit being included. Use it as a toothpick instead.

You can also go to Klockit and find a wide array of movements for cheap. You can even get an atomic movement if you want.

Step 5: Glue in Movement

Use some hot glue or other adhesive you prefer and glue the movement to the record. The hole in the middle is plenty big enough for the movement to poke through. For an extra detail, be sure to center it.

Step 6: Modify Hands

Here are the hands from the Rusch clock attached to the record. Both hands stick out past the label which won't work out. The back on black is appealing, but useless, so the hands need to be cut short. You can see the results in the next step.

Step 7: Attach Hands

Here are the hands now attached to the clock. Easy easy.

Step 8: Drill Hole

A cool clock looks pretty good when it's falling, but the impact on the ground is a bummer. Drill a hole in the horizontal part of the clock to accommodate a nail.

Step 9: Hang

Now you can hang the clock on a mantle or a bookshelf. The trick is to find a place that has enough room for the clock movement. and once you do, be sure to nail the clock down so that it doesn't fall off. Now make a few more for your friends who would enjoy it and ease on out of the ultra-consumer fest that we do to celebrate time passing.

Participated in the
The Instructables Book Contest

2 People Made This Project!

Cris DIY made it!
Antzy Carmasaic made it!

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162 Comments

djokenzi

8 years ago on Introduction

Nice idea with melting the record. I've made a few of regular vinyl clocks before, but now I'll have to try to make this one.

VikingDK

9 years ago on Introduction

Nice, quick and a great use of the old Vinyls!

IVT

10 years ago on Introduction

cool

1plus1

10 years ago on Introduction

This is really cool. I linked to your post here: http://www.1plus1equals9.com/?p=276#

lucek

13 years ago on Introduction

that just makes me wince. I love my record collection, I can't look at that with ought thinking about every one of them.

kokopipiss

10 years ago on Step 5

In first picture of step 5 you could have tried to clean in with cotton and alcohol. If it is a usual ballpoint pen (as it seems to be), you would probably have cleaned it easily.

JKPieGuy

11 years ago on Step 9

This is a really cool idea but to let you know, it's actually allot cheaper to buy a clock kit than to take apart a clock.

memyselfand1