Project: Mid Century Inspired Clock
Time: 3 hours total (not including drying time)
Cost: Approximately $30.00
Modern clocks from the mid-century typically satisfy both a practical and artistic function. They certainly serve a timekeeping purpose, but not to be overlooked is the brilliance of their simply combined colors, shapes and textures that join to form a bona fide piece of wall art. If your budget is stretched thin but you love the iconic clock designs of mid century modern designers, there are plenty of styles you can inexpensively adapt and DIY. Here's my own DIY version of the George Nelson Ball Clock just to prime the creative pump of your crafty self.
Tools and Resources:
- 3/4" thick wooden disk for the clock face
- Twelve 1 3/4" wooden balls with a hole drilled on the bottom
- 12 dowel rods that fit tightly in the drilled holes of the wooden ball
- Purchased clock movement and hands that fit through the clock face
- Liquid Nails Project Glue (I've discovered it recently and it's easy to work with)
- Med. to fine sandpaper
- Primer
- Satin based white spray paint
- Gloss red spray paint
- Sheet of black aluminum (typically used for embossing) used here to make modern shapes
- scissors
- pencil
- ruler
- crescent pliers to cut dowel rods
- cordless drill and bits
Step by Step:
- Gather your materials
- Lightly sand the wooden clock face and wooden balls
- Measure desired length for the dowel rods (mine turned out to be 8") and cut with crescent pliers
- Smooth off rough edges of dowels with sandpaper
- Measure the center point on the clock face, drill a hole large enough to fit the clock movement stem
- Measure 12 equal distances around the outside edge of the clock face
- Carefully drill 12 holes around the edge of the clock face that will allow a tight fit for the dowels
- Squeeze a bit of glue in each hole and dampen one end of each dowel rod, insert all 12
- After rods are dried, prime this section, let dry and paint with white satin paint, let dry, repeat and seal with a craft sealer or water based polyurethane (optional)
- Prime wooden balls, let dry, paint with red gloss paint, let dry and repeat to cover
- Trace modern triangle and oval on black aluminum and cut out
- Glue modern shapes onto clock hands, let dry, spray paint any color if desired
- Squirt glue in the holes of painted wooden balls, spritz dowel ends with water and push balls onto rods, let dry for at least one hour
- Following clock movement directions, attach clock movement and hands, add battery and set the time
- Follow the time for a couple of hours and make adjustments, if necessary
For more retro clock design inspiration:
DIY Projects from AT Readers
Vintage Clock Roundup
For about 10 bucks more you can buy one off of ebay.
view Comicgeek's profile
Not to be obnoxious, but also for about $10 more (and less all the time, but maybe too, less the fun) you can get a new one at a zillion different places online.
view saraannsmith's profile
A protractor from a geometry set might be in order. 10:00 looks closer to 9:50. :)
view ChzPlz's profile
That 10:00 hole did get drilled a little crooked. Reality is that not every single project turns out 100 % right every time but much is learned through the process. There are a whole lot of ways to adapt the design to your own tastes and wood working abilities.
view ModHomeEcTeacher's profile
As others have mentioned, if budget is the driver for the knockoff, there are several around $30 that are much closer to the original.
If you just feel like being crafty, well then, have at it.
view LBhirise's profile
Apartment Therapy Commentors: Cattier than a sororrity house
view Futurovox's profile
Like others said, for a slightly higher price you get knock off that is almost same as original.
view handz's profile
it's cute
view plumeria's profile
Forget the $$$, it's very satisfying to make something yourself.
view ModHomeEcTeacher's profile
Not only is it satisfying to make one yourself, sometimes when one endeavors to make a copy, other creativity takes over and a more personalized version emerges. Making something like this successfully can be the stepping stone to more complicated projects. Besides, what's better than responding to a compliment with the words "I made it myself?"
In this economy, self-reliance triumphs "buy one off of ebay." [sic]
view LauraE's profile
Cute idea, but I'd never be able to get the balls straight either ;) The nice thing about making one yourself is that it's so customizable.
view whytephoenix's profile
This "landing strip" is so warm and inviting. I very much like the idea of making the clock yourself (although the drilling aspect of this project is beyond my capability). Personally, I wouldn't want a clock to be the focal point as I enter my home; I'd prefer to see a beautiful piece of art or even a decorative mirror. Thanks for sharing this idea; very cool and the photo of that tablescape is fab-U.
view ShellyinMSP's profile
In real life a mirror does live on that wall.
view ModHomeEcTeacher's profile
wonderful job.
Yes, you have to be crafty to do id and the satisfaction is priceless.
view Haunted_Studio's profile
Laurat, creativity is fine, and I support your support (heh) of it, but don't throw the economy in, because the fact is its just as cost effective in this case to buy one, and you don't have to have a place to build it or to keep your supplies. You're also supporting someone else's business.
view JosieDaisy's profile
I like it. Why do people love to "steal your joy"? Don't let 'em.
view joanser22's profile
I think it is a fab idea! OK it's not for all, but those who are interested will have enjoyment out of achieving the finished product. There are some very negative comments which I find disappointing for ModHomeEcTeacher...don't take them to heart, there is always that small few that spoil it for everyone! Keep up the good work & I look forward to the next mid-century/mod diy project!!!!
view retroppo's profile
I like it! Very fun.
view sideproject's profile
Very cute and soooo preferable to some generic knockoff from eBay.
view rosenatti's profile