How to make a clock on the wall with your own hands.
Choosing a watch mechanism
This is the main element without which it is impossible to make a watch. You can get it from an old chronometer or buy it separately. Let’s talk about quartz mechanisms that are installed in almost all inexpensive wall and table clocks today. They work from a single finger battery, i.e. AA size.
The average size of the mechanisms: 55x55x15 mm (there may be a deviation of 1-2 millimeters in a larger or smaller direction). Ie, if the “heart” of the watch breaks, it can easily be replaced. The only condition is that the arrows fit.
ON A NOTE! The second hand is absolutely not a mandatory attribute in the watch. It performs a decorative function without affecting the passage of time. But if there is still a second hand, it is easier to understand whether the clock is running or standing.
It is believed that the clock mechanisms for 60 beats are the most reliable and durable. These are the ones that tap 60 seconds, moving abruptly and even slightly nervously. However, some people are annoyed by the loud “tick-tock”. But here a lot depends on the design of the watch, as well as on the quality of the mechanism. You can simply replace the mechanism to get rid of the intrusive sound, or remove the second hand by putting a plug in its place. This will fix the situation.
In devices with “smooth running” there is an additional gear. Such watches do not strike 60 beats, but 360. That is, each second is divided into 6 equal parts, thanks to which a smooth course is obtained. The noise from such watches is much less. But if the room is quiet, then the work of the clock will be clearly audible. Nevertheless, many prefer models with “smooth running” precisely for their noiselessness. The disadvantage of such mechanisms is increased energy consumption. You will have to change the batteries more often. In addition, the devices are less reliable, they break down more often.
Choose the mechanism to your taste: ticking or rustling. Having picked up the “heart” of the watch, you can proceed to their design.
Epoxy Resin Watch
First of all, we propose to make a unique designer watch from epoxy resin. If you have experience working with this material, great. If not, don’t worry. There is nothing complicated about it. And thanks to our advice, you will succeed the first time
The base can be wood, plywood or MDF. Cut out a blank of any shape. As a rule, watches are made round, but you can cut out a square, triangle, polygon, etc. In the center of the dial, carefully make a hole, where you will then insert the clock mechanism.
To work with epoxy, you will need the following tools:
epoxy resin and primer;
gloves to protect your hands while working;
disposable cups; brushes and spatulas;
colorants (choose colors at will);
construction tape;
gas burner.
Cover the base of future watches with soil. It will seal wood pores. Seal the sides of the blank with construction tape so that the resin does not run off from a flat surface. Place the future dial on several plastic cups. If you put it directly on the table, it may stick to the surface of the table during operation.
The instructions on the packaging of epoxy resin describe in detail how to prepare it for use, in what proportions to mix with the hardener, and how long to mix. Pour the finished resin into cups (the number of cups depends on the number of colors used). Add colorants to each glass.
A TIP! Dyes need to be added drop by drop, as they are highly concentrated. At the same time, mix the resin thoroughly at all times.
Start pouring resin from the center of the workpiece. To spread it evenly over the surface, use spatulas or a hair dryer. Use resin of other colors to draw patterns and lines on the dial. To blur them, use a brush. After 10 minutes, you will need to remove the bubbles from the blank. A gas burner will help you do this.
ON A NOTE! Try not to overheat the resin, otherwise it will boil and turn yellow.
Leave the dial on for a couple of hours, then check the degree of readiness. If the resin hardens to the consistency of thick honey, carefully remove the tape. The epoxy will start to run off the sides and cover them.
While the dial dries, cover it with something to keep dust out of the resin. Wait at least a day, preferably 72 hours. During this time, the resin will completely harden. When the base is ready, assemble the clockwork mechanism and install it.
ON A NOTE! Numbers are a completely optional part of the watch. If you are sure that you will be able to navigate without numbers, you can leave only the hands on the dial. If you feel that the lack of numbers will cause inconvenience, choose individual numbers or a ready-made dial.
Fluid Art watches.
This technique is perfect for decorating wall clocks. It consists of drawing with liquid acrylic. The material is painted in different colors, poured on the canvas and mixed. The result is a very beautiful abstraction. The number and intensity of colors can be varied.
Creating watches in the Fluid Art technique also begins with the preparation of the base, as well as when working with epoxy. Blank cut from wood or plywood, you need to cover with soil, so that the acrylic is not absorbed into it. Then it is placed on plastic cups.
A TIP! If you want to avoid getting acrylics on some part of the workpiece, seal it with construction tape or film.
Liquid acrylic can be poured in various ways. If you are a layman in this technique, try to start by pouring puddles. Pour the first color on the base, then pour the second color into the center of the resulting puddle, then the third, and so on by analogy. Gently tilting the blank, help the paint spread. You can cover the base with small puddles, or make several large ones.
The disadvantage of acrylic paints is their long solidification. They dry completely within a week. In general, after 3 days the picture hardens. It can be covered with resin or varnish on top, this will make the surface more durable. After finishing, a clockwork mechanism is inserted into the dial.
Original wall clock design ideas
As in any other needlework, the creation of watches is limited only by the imagination of the master. You can use any materials you want, implement the most daring and original ideas. We will share some ways with you. Perhaps you will find inspiration in them and start designing the watch.
Diamond mosaic
If you have posted at least one picture, you know that after work there are rhinestones. And if you already have several ready-made paintings, then quite a lot of rhinestones have accumulated. They can be put to good use. For example, decorate a wall clock. If you have a clock hanging at home, but it seems to you that it is not original enough, cover it with the remains of rhinestones. Choose the pattern at your discretion. You can just stick the strazinki in a chaotic order.
For gluing, use PVA glue or any other, as well as double-sided adhesive tape. In the end, the work should be varnished, then the rhinestones will definitely not fall off.
We sell ready-made sets of diamond mosaics with clocks. They include not only standard accessories (rhinestones, a bath, tweezers, a pen for sticking rhinestones, etc.), but also a clockwork mechanism.
How to make a wall clock. Decoupage.
The watch, designed in this technique, looks very elegant. Materials you will need: PVA glue, sandpaper, drawing and base. As you understand, the base can be cut in any shape from wood or plywood. The main thing is to sand it and prime it.
Then the blank is painted with white paint. After the paint dries, put the selected image on the base, wet it, smooth it out, wait for the drawing to dry and cover it with glue. A layer of varnish is applied on top, which protects the surface from dust, moisture and gives the image a shine. At the end, the clock is equipped with a mechanism and hands.
Quilling service
Watches designed in this technique look weightless and original. The base of the watch, again, is a wooden disk. You can cut the base out of thick cardboard or glue several layers of cardboard together. Depending on what color paper you will use for the pattern, choose the color of the blank. If the patterns are white, make the base dark.
Cut the leaf into equal thin strips. Each twist in a spiral, fix the tip with glue. Stick the finished spirals on the dried base, starting from the center and moving to the edges. When the entire area of the workpiece is filled, install the mechanism and arrows. Please note that the decorative elements are voluminous, and therefore you need to choose a mechanism with a long base, otherwise the arrows will touch the pattern.
Embroidery
Embroidery can be used as a dial. And you don’t even need to remove it from the hoop. The main thing is that the whole picture fits inside the circle. The edges of the fabric should be bent to the wrong side and carefully hidden. Attach the clockwork mechanism and hands to the center of the embroidery.
How to make a wall clock. Wood burning.
On a wooden base, you can burn out any patterns, images, and numbers. In the center, as usual, insert the mechanism with arrows.
As you understand, the main thing in the watch is the mechanism, hands and base. And the latter can be anything: wooden, cardboard, knitted, embroidered, made of epoxy resin, etc. The main thing is that it is not too soft. But even this can be corrected with a sheet of thick cardboard or plastic. Imagination, a little perseverance, free time and a unique piece of decor are already decorating your interior!
