Introduction: Square Wall Clock From Scrap Plywood

In this project, I am making a square wall clock from scrap plywood.
I saw a similar handmade wooden wall clock in etsy and decided to make it using plywood. It's a modern clock, without Roman or Arabic numerals

This one is easier to build than the clock from the previous instructable.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Wall-Clock-From-S...

I used epoxy resin colored with red mica powder and black pigment to make dials look like granite. The idea of making a clock with such a rustic dial is to highlight the beauty of plywood.

Step 1: Tools and Matrials

I am listing the tools and materials that I have used. Almost anything could be substituted.

Tools:

  • Electric router
  • Saw
  • Sander
  • Dril

Materials:

  • Plywood
  • Two pieces of wood
  • Epoxy resin
  • Coloring agent (here mica powder is used)
  • Wood glue
  • Clock movement

Step 2: Clock Face

Cut plywood to 40mm pieces for targeted 35mm face thickness. Then glued them together, fastened with clamps and left it dry overnight.

After I took two pieces of wood and glued to both ends of the clock face. This is not only a design element. If you will not have wood in both ends and you will try to make a face square shaped the cuttings will look not nice.

Step 3: Shaping the Clock

Used custom made router jig for flattening.

Then I cut edges making a clock in square shape.

I fasten a straight piece of chipboard to make grooves for dials. For the initial and final groove position, I rely on my hands. However, the next time I make such a watch dial, I will fasten the extra pieces of chipboard for the initial and final positions.

Step 4: Filling Epoxy

Is time to fill grooves with epoxy. You need to apply the sealing coat with transparent epoxy first. Here I use 5min epoxy glue to not wait hours before sealing coat gets dry. This layer penetrates into plywood and does not allow colored epoxy to do it. Otherwise, the borders of the dial will be unclear.

As a colorant, I use red mica powder and a drop of black universal colorant to get black granite look.

Step 5: Sanding

Sanding with a drill to get rid of epoxy excesses faster. (80 grit metal sander).

After rounding edges with the router, applying 5min epoxy glue on clock dial to get rid of bubbles in black epoxy. Then again sanding with a drill.

After switching to the random sander and sanding all the way from 120 to 320 grit. As always I prefer to sand edges by hand.

Step 6: Applying Oil

Here I apply mineral oil with a little gray varnish. Wiping after 15 min.

The as a second coat (after 24 hours) I apply beeswax + orange oil to make the color a little bit lighter.

Step 7: The Result

A look after installing clock movement with black hands.

Try to do something similar and I am sure you will be surprised how amazing it looks like.

You can find more details in the video. Also, don't forget to like the video (if you really like it :) ). Please subscribe to channel if you want to receive similar videos in the future. I hope this was interesting and helpful. Fill free to ask questions below.

P.S. If this strengthens your confidence, know that I am not a carpenter. I graduated and work as a software developer. Thus, you cannot find the reason why you cannot do something similar or better.