2.5" HDD Clock
This is a 2.5" HDD clock I made from a dead external hard drive. I used a 2.5" drive instead of a 3.5" drive as in the UK it is very hard to find clock movements that have a long enough spindle to go all the way through.
This is my first instructable and I am 14, so any constructive criticism or comments are encouraged. I am entering the battery powered contest, so be sure to vote for me!
This is my first instructable and I am 14, so any constructive criticism or comments are encouraged. I am entering the battery powered contest, so be sure to vote for me!
The Parts and Tools.
The parts needed are:
1. Any 2.5" HDD
2. A clock movement, long enough to go through your chosen Hard Drive.
3. Hands for the movement.
4. An AA battery.
5. Old RAM for a frame (optional)
Tools:
1. Torx t8 and t7 screwdrivers (for the drive casing and fasteners).
2. A small philips scre driver (for the drive PCB).
3. A pair of pliers.
4. A 1/8" pin punch. (for the dismantling the motor)
5. A rubber hammer. (for the pin punch)
6. A drill and 7-7.5mm metal bits.
7. Glue for the frame (optional)
8. Bolts for holding the frame (optional)
1. Any 2.5" HDD
2. A clock movement, long enough to go through your chosen Hard Drive.
3. Hands for the movement.
4. An AA battery.
5. Old RAM for a frame (optional)
Tools:
1. Torx t8 and t7 screwdrivers (for the drive casing and fasteners).
2. A small philips scre driver (for the drive PCB).
3. A pair of pliers.
4. A 1/8" pin punch. (for the dismantling the motor)
5. A rubber hammer. (for the pin punch)
6. A drill and 7-7.5mm metal bits.
7. Glue for the frame (optional)
8. Bolts for holding the frame (optional)
Dismantling the Drive.
You need to unscrew all the screws on the casing and PCB with the drivers, then unscrew the platters and remove them, put the in a safe place, unlikely to be scratched. Move the read heads out of the way to remove the platters, there may be a plastic or rubber stop in the way, next to the magnets in the corner, remove that with pliers.
Drilling the Holes.
You will have to put the drive in a vice, PCB side up, and use a center punch and hammer through the center to the motor, to remove the top part and core.
Chose a drill bit the same size or 0.5mm bigger than your movement spindle. Remove the top of the motor from the motor, with pliers or fingers, drill down the center, do the same with the other side of the motor, on the casing with the copper coils.
Chose a drill bit the same size or 0.5mm bigger than your movement spindle. Remove the top of the motor from the motor, with pliers or fingers, drill down the center, do the same with the other side of the motor, on the casing with the copper coils.
Mounting the Clock and Reassembling.
Put the top half of the motor back on the bottom part of the moro, put the platters and spacers back on, put the movement through the hole and put the washer and nut on to secure it. Put your hands on and put in a battery and slide the read heads back over carefully to make it look better.
You have now got a fully working Hard drive clock. Use a microfiber cloth to make it shiny, and hang it up, or make a stand and put it next to your bed!
You have now got a fully working Hard drive clock. Use a microfiber cloth to make it shiny, and hang it up, or make a stand and put it next to your bed!
UPDATE: I Added a Frame Made From Some RAM Chips.
This is a quick update, I decided to make a frame from some 16MB RAM modules from 1993!
I found some screws to fit the mounting holes on the side of the drive, and superglued two upside down RAM modules in, when they set I put the top and bottom sets on, it fully surrounds the clock and gives an even more "computery" feel.
I found some screws to fit the mounting holes on the side of the drive, and superglued two upside down RAM modules in, when they set I put the top and bottom sets on, it fully surrounds the clock and gives an even more "computery" feel.