There are a number ways in which you can use the kitchen gadgets which would have ended in the junkyard, otherwise. For instance, you can make a clock from some of the gadgets available in your kitchen. These clocks can give a decorative and a personalized look to your living room. All that is expected from you is little time and patience and even you can make your own accurate time-keeping piece. Just follow the simple steps given below to turn your kitchen gadgets into a clock.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time required: 30-40 minutes
Resources required:
- Drill and bit
- Time ring or number stickers
- Battery operated clock movement kit with hands
Instructions
1. Selection of the gadgets
One important thing that will not be provided to you in your battery operated clock movement kit is the clock face, therefore, you have to arrange it by your own. This is where you’ll have to make the use of kitchen gadgets, you’ll have to select it as per your requirements and choice. Have a look at all the options available to you, the clock face can be made using anything including metal grater, tin tie plate, platter, wooden cutting board or any other gadget present in your kitchen that has enough space to act as the clock face. All these stuff will be easily available in your kitchen.
2. Drill a hole in the center of the clock face
Next, you have to make a hole in the clock face so that the shaft can enter into it from the backside. Look at the shaft present in the clock movement kit to determine the size of the hole that you need to make in the clock face. Carefully drill a round hole in the center of the clock face. Selecting the right bit is very important, otherwise, the clock face can get damaged. For instance, you’ll have to use the diamond or carbide-tip drill bit if the clock face that you have selected is made up of ceramic or porcelain.
3. Place the quartz clock motor and insert the shaft
Once you are done with drilling the hole, then begin with the assembling process of the clock. The first thing that you need to do is to place the quartz clock motor or movement unit at its place. This unit is basically placed on the back of the clock face. Look out for the shaft attached with the clock motor, you have to insert it into the hole which you have made in the center of clock face such that a part of the shaft comes out on which the clock hands can be attached.
However, the shaft can get loose and fall back into the hole, to prevent this from happening, you can use a rubber space washer. Set this washer over the portion of the shaft which is out in the front. Place the rubber over the shaft in case you are using a premade clock face.
4. Assemble the whole set up
After setting the clock motor and the shaft, you have to start giving the finishing touch to your clock. Begin by placing the number stickers at the right place, these stickers will tell the time. Normally, these stickers will be available with your clock operating kit. However, if you want to have a more personalized look, then you can use letters instead of those number stickers.
Read the instructions provided with the kit and accordingly, assemble the different parts of the clock including the hands, washer, hex nut and open nut. However, don’t over tighten the set of hands, otherwise, they will not be able to move freely.
Frequently asked question
Q. How can I fix a wall clock?
A. Fixing a wall clock basically depends on the fact that what is wrong with it. The step by step procedure for fixing a wall cock is given below.
- If the pendulum has stopped swinging, then you can wind it or balance the wheel clock with the key provided with the clock. This key will fit easily into the winding mechanism located on the backside of the clock. Take the pendulum once you’ve wound the clock. Sweep this pendulum to one side until a click sound comes, the pendulum will start swinging now. Most of the problem in the pendulum and balance wheel clock arises because of the driving spring, it needs to be winded periodically.
- The clock may not be functioning properly because of the hands which may be touching each other. Simply pull the hands apart and then reset the clock.
- If the clock is not level, then the pendulum will not swing properly, therefore, you have to make sure that the pendulum clocks are level.Simply push tilt the clock to one side of the wall and continue doing so until a clicking sound comes, gently push to the other side. Continue doing this until the you can listen a perfect tick tock sound.
Quick tips
- You can easily get all the stuff required for making your clock in the craft store including the clock movement, numbers, hands and faces.
- The clock gets slowed or speeds up by approximately 30 seconds in a 24 hour period by one full turn of the rating nut.
Things to watch out for:
- Before tightening the final piece, be sure that the two sets of hands can move freely, otherwise, the clock will lag behind.
- The drill bits and other such equipment must be kept away from the reach of children, these are sharp objects and children can hurt themselves with these.
