Aesthetic Pure Wood Clock
The Aesthetic Pure Wood Clock is a beautifully carved and crafted clock made entirely of wood. From the body to the minute and hour hands, everything is meticulously designed and crafted with wood. The hand movement is noise-free and adds to the aesthetic appeal of the clock. The body itself is also made and carved with wood, creating a truly remarkable and artistic piece of craftsmanship.
Supplies
- SmallPocket Drill Machne
- Wood Cutter Machine
- Wooden Planks
- Wooden Logs
- Drill Bit
- Wood Varnish
- Clock Machanism Module
- Wood glue
Planning & Design
The plan is created using Autodesk Fusion 360, which clearly shows how the clock will look, where to drill holes, and all other details.
In Fusion 360, the main body frame is designed from a single piece of wood using the circle and extrude tools. The material for the main body is set to wood. For the clock hands, the material is set to oak wood. Once that's done, the complete drill holes and body design are finalized.
CNC Cutting:
After completing the design, print out the layout and send it to a professional CNC cutting company. If you prefer, you can do it yourself with your own small CNC machine. As another option, manually cut the wood into a circular shape by placing the printed design on the wood and carefully cutting along the lines.
Polishing and Varnishing Wood
Once your clock parts are cut and assembled, give them a smooth, professional finish with sanding, polishing, and varnishing. Here's a friendly, step-by-step guide:
1. Sanding (Smooth the Surface)
- Start with 120-grit sandpaper to remove rough edges and CNC tool marks.
- Move to 220-grit, then 320-grit for a silky-smooth feel.
- Sand with the wood grain to avoid scratches.
- Use a sanding block or orbital sander for flat areas; hand-sand curves and details.
3. Polishing (Optional Shine Before Varnish)
- Apply a thin layer of wood polish or beeswax using a soft cloth.
- Buff in circular motions for a natural glow.
- This step is optional if you're going straight to varnish.
4. Varnishing (Protect & Enhance)
- Choose a clear polyurethane varnish (water-based for low odor, oil-based for durability).
- Stir (don’t shake) the varnish to avoid bubbles.
- Apply the first thin coat with a high-quality brush or foam applicator.
- Let it dry for 4–6 hours (check the can for exact time).
- Lightly sand with 400-grit sandpaper between coats.
- Apply 2–3 thin coats for best protection and shine.
- Final coat: Let cure for 24 hours before handling.
Pro Tips:
- Work in a dust-free, well-ventilated area.
- Hang small parts (like hands) with wire to varnish all sides.
- For oak hands: Use oil-based varnish to bring out the rich grain.
- Want a matte look? Use satin varnish instead of gloss.
Your clock will now have a beautiful, long-lasting finish! 🕰️✨
Drill the Centre of Woof for Clock Hand
Preparing Clock Hand
Now that your main clock body is beautifully cut, sanded, and varnished, it's time to prepare the elegant oak hands that will bring your design to life. Start by selecting two sturdy oak wood blocks, ensuring they're thick enough to match the dimensions outlined in your Autodesk Fusion 360 plan—typically a shorter, wider block for the hour hand and a longer, slimmer one for the minute hand. Roughly cut these blocks to size using a saw, leaving a bit of extra material for precision, then trace the exact hand shapes directly from your printed Fusion 360 templates onto the wood with a pencil. Secure each block firmly with clamps and carefully cut along the traced lines using a scroll saw or band saw for smooth curves and straight edges; if you have access to a small CNC machine, simply load the design files for flawless automated cutting—just remember to stay slightly outside the lines and refine later. Once the shapes are cut, locate the precise center point marked in your Fusion 360 file for attaching to the clock's rotary movement, and mark it clearly on both hands.
Drill Hole
For drilling, use a drill machine for the best accuracy: secure the piece, begin with a small pilot hole if the wood is dense, and then drill the final hole to match your clock mechanism's shaft size (commonly 3–4mm—double-check your specs for a snug yet freely rotating fit; the hour hand might need a square hole or brass bushing depending on the movement). Test the fit on the actual shaft to ensure everything aligns perfectly without wobbling. Finally, smooth every surface and edge with progressive sanding—starting at 120-grit to erase any tool marks, moving to 220-grit for refinement, and finishing with 320-grit for that silky oak texture—rounding off any sharp tips for safety and a polished look.
Fixing the Rotary Mechanism
Now that your oak hands are perfectly shaped, sanded, and varnished, it’s time to bring your clock to life by installing the rotary mechanism—the heart that makes everything tick! Start by grabbing your clock movement (the quartz or mechanical rotary unit with its shaft and mounting hardware). On the back of your main wooden clock body, locate the pre-drilled center hole from your Fusion 360 design—this is where the mechanism will sit securely. Align the movement so its threaded shaft pokes straight through the hole to the front side, ensuring the hanging bracket (if included) faces downward for easy wall mounting later. From the front, slide on any included washers or spacers, then gently push the hour hand onto the shaft first (it fits over the wider base), followed by the minute hand on the narrower pin—press them down snugly but not too forcefully to avoid damaging the wood. Double-check that both hands rotate freely without rubbing against the clock face or each other. Finally, secure everything from the front with the small nut or cap provided in your mechanism kit, tightening it by hand or with pliers wrapped in cloth to prevent scratches. Plug in a fresh AA battery (or wind it if mechanical), set the time, and watch your handmade wooden clock gracefully come alive with smooth, silent motion. Give it a gentle spin to test—congratulations, your timeless creation is now fully assembled and ready to adorn any wall!
Now the aesthetic pure-wood clock is now complete—a stunning, handcrafted masterpiece made entirely from natural wood with no metal visible on the front!