A New Clock Dial
Tonight my wife was commenting on the decades old clock we have had since we have been married ( 20 years ). This, as I was destroying an old phone to salvage the switches and other interesting parts. So, I started thinking... How can I update the dial of that old clock. And right in my hands was another dial - of sorts! So, here goes!
Gather the Parts
So, the first step was to gather the parts ( out of the trash ). I quickly retrieved the 12 keys from the destroyed phone. Though I won't have a 10, 11, or 12, there are 12 keys on a normal phone. So, I will have to improvise.
Prepare for the New Face
I carefully removed the hands and the current face. It was just a piece of paper made to look antique. This really is not just yellowed with time!
I placed the current face on a piece of art paper that feels similar to a canvas. (My wife will kill me when she finds out what happened to that missing piece of paper!)
I traced the circle perimiter and marked the current location of the the numerals. When I removed the pattern, I used a ruler to transfer the marks inside my current circle. Since these button are slightly raised, I moved them in to 1.5".
I placed the current face on a piece of art paper that feels similar to a canvas. (My wife will kill me when she finds out what happened to that missing piece of paper!)
I traced the circle perimiter and marked the current location of the the numerals. When I removed the pattern, I used a ruler to transfer the marks inside my current circle. Since these button are slightly raised, I moved them in to 1.5".
Clock Surprise!
When I removed the current clock face and mechanism, I discovered that this clock was actually another clock used in this frame. I might have made this repair - I can't remember. What a surprise to find another clock my wife would not like - hidden in the clock my wife does not like!
This, along with the raised numbers, posed a problem. I had to remove this wood frame to raise the clock hands so they would pass over the new buttons. However, without any spacing, the hands rubbed on the glass.
So, I crafted some very precise spacers from the packing material of my toner cartridge. (Don't tell the HP Toner people!)
This, along with the raised numbers, posed a problem. I had to remove this wood frame to raise the clock hands so they would pass over the new buttons. However, without any spacing, the hands rubbed on the glass.
So, I crafted some very precise spacers from the packing material of my toner cartridge. (Don't tell the HP Toner people!)
Put Some Glue on It
Finally, the time came to glue down the numbers. Here is a "dry" run to help me test that the glass cover would not hide the numbers and the clock hand would clear.
I had to do some adjustment from my marks. You can see I got a couple of numbers out of alignment when I tried to "free hand" this step.
Even with this dry run, I still glued the 1 down out of place.
I had to do some adjustment from my marks. You can see I got a couple of numbers out of alignment when I tried to "free hand" this step.
Even with this dry run, I still glued the 1 down out of place.
Finally - a Clock My Wife Can Be Proud Of
After a little dissapointment about the buttons not in alignment and a little glue I got on the paper - I convinced myself to hang this on the wall.
It is now 3:00 am. I can't wait to see who, in my family, notices the clock first!
The clock says - "it's time to go!"
It is now 3:00 am. I can't wait to see who, in my family, notices the clock first!
The clock says - "it's time to go!"