Make a Modern Clock with Reclaimed Wood and Copper Accents
Whether you make for yourself or to give as a gift, this modern clock will take pride of place in any home with its reclaimed wood charm and copper accent.
13/12/2020
Using reclaimed wood and copper pipe to make this modern clock gives it a unique look that would add to a modern home setting. The clock itself is easy to make and you should be able to complete this project in under an hour. You will need a couple of piece of reclaimed wood - the older the better, a piece of copper pipe and some 16mm SupaWood (MDF), pine or plywood for the case. You can purchase the clock movement and mechanism from a variety of supplies that can be found via Google. Simply enter clock movements to find suppliers in your area or that ship to your door.
YOU WILL NEED:
2 of 16 x 100 x 500mm SupaWood, pine or plywood - frame top/bottom
2 of 16 x 100 x 532mm SupaWood, pine or plywood - frame sides
2 of reclaimed wood, 500mm long - clock back
4 of steel angle brackets, sprayed black
16mm wood screws
4 x 40mm screws
Wood glue
Copper pipe, 500mm long + 2 bottle corks
Clock movement and hands
Painter's tape
Newspaper or drop cloth
Rust-Oleum satin canyon black spray paint
TOOLS:
Drill / Driver plus assorted bits
Multi or orbital sander plus 180-grit sanding pads
Tape measure and pencil
Safety gear
Clamps
HERE'S HOW:
1. On [2] of the 500mm long boards for the frame, measure and mark the location for mounting the copper pipe. This will be placed off-centre, as can be seen in the top image. Clamp securely and drill a 3mm countersunk pilot hole into the top and bottom frame pieces.
GOOD TO KNOW: Place a scrap piece of wood where you will drill the holes. This will protect your work top and also prevent blowing out or splitting on the back of the board when you drill the holes.
2. Before assembling the pieces to make the frame, sand to ensure they are smooth and splinter-free.
3. Use wood glue and 40mm screws to assemble the frame. Pre-dill 3mm countersunk pilot holes where the corners will butt against each other.
4. Put down newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your work top before spraying the frame on both sides with spray paint. Apply the paint using overlapping strokes but don't apply too much paint. Let the first coat dry before applying a second coat, if necessary.
5. Apply choice of wood stain, sealer or varnish to the reclaimed wood. For this project, we went over the surface of the wood with a Dremel VersaFlame to singe the wood and bring a contrast on the wood grain.
6. In this step you will drill a hole for the shaft on the clock movement. Double-check the diameter of the shaft so that you can drill an appropriately sized hole in one piece of the reclaimed wood.
7. Mount the spray angle brackets to the sides of the frame, checking that the reclaimed wood will not stick out but rather be flush with the frame. Secure to the frame and reclaimed wood using 16mm screws.
8. Insert the clock mechanism shaft and mount the hands on the front. If the mechanism is loose at the back, apply epoxy glue to secure firmly in place.
9. Push the [2] corks into the ends of the copper pipe, place inside the frame and secure with 40mm screws.
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