Introduction: Timeless Clock! Infinity Mirror Clock

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About: I like tinkering with Autoit, Arduinos, Wood, Wrenches, and just about anything else that challenges me.

How about timeless time?!?! Yeah that's what I thought. An infinity mirror setup coupled with a clock produced interesting results. So how to infinity mirrors work? Well all they need is a mirror back with a one way reflective mirror several inches in front of it with a strip of LEDs in between. So why not put a clock in the middle of it all. I gave it a try and here's what I got.

Supplies

The build list for this clock was actually pretty simple.

  • A simple clock from Walmart (I bought the cheapest one there that I could find)
  • One way reflective tint.
  • Plexiglass (I used this but wouldn't recommend it instead get a acrylic or other easy-to-cut mirror)
  • Arduino Nano
  • Analog RGB strip lights
  • Tools- (Wire, Solder Iron...)

Step 1: Disassemble the Clock

First I removed the six screws on from the back of the clock. Then I removed the hands and then pealed the paper face from the clock.

Step 2: Printing the Spacer

To add some depth to the clock I went and drew up a simple spacer to space the face glass out from the back of the clock.

Step 3: Reflective Tinting

Next I went and put reflective tint on a piece of plexiglass to make the clock face. And I then I went and tinted the original glass clock face. Sorry that I didn't get any pictures of it.

Step 4: Numbering the Clock Face

For the numbers on the clock drew up some 3D text and printed it off. To help place the numbers I notched each little black wedge. Then I simply glued each number on with some Tacky Glue.

Step 5: Wiring It Up

The strip light need to be run around the inside of the 3D printed spacer ring. The second picture shows how I went and painted the outside of the ring but that is totally unnecessary because the trim ring will cover it. To wire up the RGB lights follow this guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-led-strips/arduino-code

On my Nano I went and removed all the headers. To allow it to lay flat against the back of the clock. I also went and wired in a selector switch to allow me to toggle through the various colors. Here is the code. It's nothing fancy but it works!

Attachments

Step 6: Finishing It Up

I had to grind off the risers from the black trim ring that goes over the outside. I also had to router a small hole to allow the wires to pass to the backside of the clock. Lastly I simply powered it up and presto!! I like when things work out!

Step 7: What Would I Do Different

I am really pleased with almost everything. But if I would do it again I would paint the clock hands white and print the letters with white filament. And I would order plastic mirrors if I could find them. I was pressed for time on this build. But I did a couple quick searches on Amazon and saw some mirrors that I believe would work better than my one way reflective window tint.