Introduction: Arts and Crafts Pallet Clock
"Time for a pallet contest clock " get it
When I first saw there was a pallet contest coming up I got busy gathering pallet wood my favorite thing to build with.
THE STUFF
plenty of pallet boards
glue (tite bond 2 )
1/2" hinges "4"
battery clock works
clock dial
pendulum
2" clock hands
6x6 piece of glass
stain
varnish
Step 1:
Finding just the right boards Since I'm building an arts and crafts style I wanted to find quarter sawn oak boards. I looked through a good many pallets but I found some nice looking wood.
Step 2: Milling the Stock
I used a table saw to mill the boards to best I could just to find the best grain figure. I then worked with them to get as close to book match as I could. I found some pretty good ones
BE CAREFULL
always use care when using power tools and sharp chisels, knives and planes
also use safety glasses
dust mask are a must who knows what they treat those pallets with
Tools
table saw
band saw
chisels
dovetail saw
hand plane
drill and bits
sander
Step 3: Building the Case
I joined the top of the case with hand cut finger joints leaving them 3/!6th " proud so to give it that LOOK
Step 4: The Case
I used the closest bookmatched wood for the front of the clock . I had some nice grain on these pieces
Step 5: Joining the Boards
With the table saw I cut a datto in all the boards where they joined together also where the glass fit the door. Than I made wedges to fit the slots this will give plenty of strength to the glue joints
Step 6: The Door
Putting the door together I went ahead and stained the wood because
I didn't want to do it with the glass in it. This worked fine but I don't think I would do it again
Step 7: Cutting in the Hindges
I marked out the hindges and cut them out with a chissel
Step 8: More Work on the Doors
Step 9: The Case Is Done
After staining the case I finished with amber spar varnish 3 coats Lite sanding between
Step 10: The Works
I used a piece of 1/4" plywood to mount the paper dial on and mounted that to a 1/2" x 1/2" frame Drilled a 1/4"hole for the clock put everything together and through the back door I screwed it to the front of the case
a brass knob on the door looks nice front and back
I didn't use a lock or latch because the doors fit so nice and tight. The wood was good and dry but if it changes I'll go back and add them
Step 11: Ok It's Done
Fun to build and looks nice on the mantle I like the pendulum swinging in the bottom
The quarter sawn oak looks nice and I really like how the nail holes have blackened
how cool to build with pallets