CHALK LINE REEL CLOCK

I wanted a clock - something different in my new workshop. So, I came up with the idea of using a chalk line reel to hold and display a clock.

Please note that I have inherited my grandfathers, my fathers, my father in-laws chalk line reels, so I had an extra to make a clock. Too many stories to tell of using all of these, they make me very happy to look at them - so it is perfect to have a chalk line reel clock.

I did not put numbers on the face, since I only need to know the general time.

Here is a brief overview of a chalk line reel.

Chalk lines are a fast way to mark straight guidelines on flat surfaces. They are used extensively in the building and construction industry to speedily & accurately 'draw' straight line between two points. You load loose chalk into the body of the reel. The chalk dust gets on the line. you pull the loaded chalked line string out of the reel. You pull the string from point to point on the surface. Pull the string up and let it go (also called snapping the line). The line bounces off the surface and leaves a trace of the chalk / a blue line.

A second explanation of how a chalk reel line is used:

1. To mark the two points of the line you are trying to show/draw. 2. The end of the chalk line is tied to a nail or clipped. . 3. Reel / feed out the string to the other end point along the straight surface. 4. Once you have the chalk line over the second mark, lift the string off the surface and allow it to snap back onto the surface. The chalk will mark a straight line along the surface between the two points.

• Mini quartz clock --The clock shop -- part number 192427
• Strait line chalk line reel Plumb -- The Irwin Company
• Nail (optional - used a 1 1/2 flat head nail
• AA battery

Tools

• Screw driver - standard / straight
• Drill (I used cordless)
• Drill Bit 11/64 (used to drill out rivet and clearance tab removal - not a strict size requirement)
• Pliers - straight
• Blue marker Black marker Silver marker
• Saw (for cutting sides of clock)
• File - hooked end
• Side cutters
• Scissors
• Hammer

• Take out the two screws of the reel and split the halves.

• Remove rivet /pin to remove handle then internal string spool

• Remove rivet /pin to remove handle
• Use a drill and drill bit 11/64 (used to drill out rivet - not a strict size requirement)
• Use pliers to pull pin out.
• Pull the handle off the shaft

• Remove the internal string spool by pushing the shaft thru the hole

Really just plain luck, the quartz clock I bought was a great fit, only needed a few minor modifications to the clock and the reel.

I placed the clock in the reel and marked in silver where material needed to be removed from the plastic body.

I notice on the metal reel housing that there was a tab sticking up by the chalk door. This needed to be removed, so I marked it with a black marker.

To get the clock to drop in - I needed to modify the plastic clock body.

I used a small backsaw to cut the corners (as marked) off the plastic body of the clock edges near the battery box. It worked out that I did not need to cut the battery terminals. I am also glad that I did not need to cut into the main part of the clock. 

The output shaft of the clock - centered into the reel crank handle hole (I am going to use the word luck here again).

Please note I did not measure - I just estimated how much material to remove.  

To get the clock to sit flat in the metal reel housing, A slight modification needs to be preformed.

There was a small tab for the chalk door that interfered with the clock fitting down into the reel housing.

I used the drill with the same drill bit 11/64 and drilled cross ways into the tab - just for material removal. 

This worked so good that only need a quick use of my file to clean the surface.

The chalk door on this reel was made out of plastic. it created a slight interference to the clock body. I marked it up and trimmed it with side cutters. It fits into slides in the body housing.

Reuse the removed spool string for decorative hanging

I cut the chalk line a little long so it would allow me make hanging length adjustments later.

I left the original clip to use as a hanger

To simulate the typical blue chalk on the string

I used a blue marker to tint the string.

My technic was to pull the string thru the marker several times to coat.

I would suggest holding the marker ink soak into the line and then move along the length..

The screw boss made a good tie off point and I wrapped the extra length - for a if needed.

Please note:

I ended up with blue fingers.

This reel had not been loaded with chalk (one of the reasons I used it and needed to use the marker)

I followed the instructions to assemble the clock hands (as noted in the image)

• Put the aa battery in.
• put the chalk door in
• made sure the string was position out the top of the metal reel housing
• then closed both halves together
• I put the the two screws in and tighten (I did not over tighten)

Using a nail with hammer - I put it in a location that I will enjoy and see the clock.

I left the original clip on the end of the string which allows it to hang off of an edge if needed.

I really enjoy doing Instructables and I hope you can use some or all of these ideas.

I posted an image of my dads clock that he made perhaps for another idea.