Turn Your Broken HDD Into a Desk Clock

Some times ago I used to help people to fix their PC. From that time, I was able to collect some broken HDD that I can never bring myself to toss them. Now I decided to reuse that broken HDD into a desk clock. Let's begin!

In this project you are going to need:

• Broken HDD
• Clock machine
• Sticker paper
• Jigsaw
• Circular saw
• Screwdriver
• Cutter
• Drill: 2 mm and 8 mm bits
• LED strip
• Soldering iron
• White Mika film
• Super glue
• Hammer

Open the top case of the hard drive. Next, disassemble all the components of the drive. Once you remove the top case, remove everything, but you need to keep the actuator arm & read/write head and data platters for later.

Print the clock image on a sticker paper and stick it on the platter. Use 2mm drill bit to drill holes based on the clock image (download the clock image below). Remove the sticker from the platters

Use the unused clock sticker to mark the size of the clock machine. Make a center point using a screw and a hammer. Use 8mm drill bit to drill holes. Use a cutter to help marking the cut line. Then, use a circular saw to hollow out the housing (to ease the cutting process) and use the jigsaw for the last step of cutting.

Now it's time to insert the clock machine to the HDD housing, secure with super glue.

Now it's time to add the Led to the clock. I used regular warm light, but you can use any led color even RGB Led. After making sure that the Led is working, stick the white mika film under the clock plate using double tape, then place it on the clocl machine.

I used the actuator arm & read/write head to replace the original hour hand from the clock machine. I used a grinder to cut and shape the hour hand.