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    Home » Woodworking » DIY Home Decor Projects

    Modern DIY Wood Clock

    August 6, 2018 by Shara, Woodshop Diaries

    In this post, I’ll show you how to build your own DIY wood clock!

    Simple two tone modern DIY wooden wall clock--walnut and hickory wood

    I love making clocks. I’ve made a few through the years, but this is probably my favorite because it’s so eye catching, but also SO simple.

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    If you can glue, cut a circle, and follow instructions to install the hands, you can make a clock 🙂 I promise.

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    I’ll show you how to make a two tone DIY wood clock in this post, but if you want to check out some other cool clock ideas, I’ve got a couple you might enjoy here. Click the image to head to the tutorial to make it!

    • DIY Wooden wall clock with personalization--make your own with this free tutorial
      DIY Personalized Wall Clock
    • DIY Industrial Wall Clock

    This two tone modern DIY wood clock is a super simple project and I’ve got the how to video for you right here.  And of course, the step by step below 🙂

    This post contains affiliate links.  Please see disclosure policy for details.

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    For this DIY Wall Clock, You Will Need:

    • 1 board of one type of wood ( about 20″ long, about 5-6″ wide)
    • 2 boards of another type of wood (about 25″ long, about 9-10″ wide each)
    • OR
    • The equivalent of the above in one type of wood (if two tone isn’t desired)
    • Miter Saw
    • Wood glue
    • Clamps
    • Router (optional)
    • Straight bit for router (optional)
    • Drill and drill bits
    • Sander
    • High Torque Clock Kit and Large Clock Hands
    • Danish Oil

    NOTE: If you don’t have different wood types to work with, you can use one type of wood and just stain them different colors to create the two tone look.

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    ALSO NOTE: Feel free to use wood scraps for this project and mix and match widths as needed.

    Step 1:  Cut Wood Boards Down to Size

    First, I cut my boards to size.  I made this clock about 24″ diameter.  If you want a smaller clock, you can cut your boards shorter, but I cut my darker walnut board to about 20″ and my lighter hickory boards to about 25″ long.

    trimming walnut board to length on miter saw
    trimming hickory wood to length on miter saw

    Then, I trimmed the edges off of my boards on my table saw for a nice clean joint to glue.  You don’t HAVE to do this, it just makes a nice smooth, flush clock surface.  I just barely trimmed off the edges to get a square side. 

    trimming edge of walnut board on table saw

    Step 2: Glue DIY Clock Boards Together

    Now, it’s time for the glue up.  I laid my pipe clamps out and situated my boards how I wanted them, making sure I could get a 24″ round out of it, then applied glue to the edges and clamped. 

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    Make sure to wipe off any glue squeeze out for easier sanding and clean up later.

    applying glue to walnut and hickory boards to make clock panel
    walnut and hickory panel gluing up

    If you don’t have large clamps, you could also use pocket holes and screws to attach the boards together as well.

    Step 3: Cut Wood Round for Clock

    Once the glue was dry, I cut the round with a router–but you could also use a jig saw.

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    I measured to find where I wanted the clock center and drilled a hole at that point, leaving the bit sticking up.  Then I removed the bit from the drill leaving it in the wood.

    drilling center hole into panel to cut out circle

    Using a router circle jig (you can find out how to make one here), measure from the outside edge of your straight bit to HALF the diameter you want your clock to be and drill a hole there into the jig. 

    RELATED: Want to learn more about routers? Check out this Router Guide Post.

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    So, for example, my clock was 24″ diameter, so I measured 12″ from the edge of the bit, down the jig and drilled a hole.  I placed this hole onto the bit I left in the center.

    using a shop made router and circle jig to cut wood clock

    I SLOWLY cut out the circle, cutting only about ¼″ deep at a time.  I made several passes, going deeper each time until it was cut all the way through.  Then, I removed the bit.

    Using a router and circle jig to cut out two tone wooden clock

    Again, if you prefer, you can draw your circle and cut out with a jig saw instead.

    Step 4: Route Out Hole for Clock Mechanism

    Now, in order to attach the clock mechanism, the clock thickness must be only ¼″.  The shaft of the mechanism needs to go through the center hole and stick out the front enough to be able to screw on a nut to tighten it in place.

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    Since this wood clock is about ¾″ thick, I had to route out a hole to “inset” the clock mechanism. 

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    First, I found a drill bit that was SLIGHTLY larger than the shaft of the clock mechanism and drilled through the center hole.

    Drilling hole in center of round wood piece

    Then, I inserted the shaft on the back side and traced around the square body.

    tracing around clock mechanism to cut out

    Using a router and a straight bit, I cut out this traced spot going deeper each time until the mechanism fit snug and there were some threads on the shaft coming through the front side (this is important to be able to attach the hands).

    Using router to remove material to place clock mechanism
    Clock mechanism inset into back side of wood clock

    If you don’t have a router, you can also use a Dremel tool, or a chisel, or an oscillating tool to remove this material as well.

    Step 5:  Sand and Finish

    Finally, I gave the clock a good sanding and a couple coats of Danish oil for finish.

    Shara Woodshop Diaries sanding round wood plate to use as a clock
    Pouring Danish oil onto hickory and walnut wood clock

    Then, I followed the instructions that came with the clock kit for attaching the hands.

    Shara Woodshop Diaries installing clock hands on two tone wood clock

    Assembling the clock hands is really simple–just make sure to follow the instructions.  Just be sure to remove the protective peely things on the hands BEFORE you put it all together.  It makes things MUCH easier 😉

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    And that’s it…that’s how you make a large DIY wood clock!

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    The mechanism comes with a clip you can install in order to hang this on the wall if you wish. But, I prefer it sitting on a desk or a shelf.

    Large two tone walnut and hickory wood clock

    Such a simple project, but so cute! 

    Two tone DIY wood clock sitting on modern two drawer nightstand with vase and book

    By the way, did you see the post about how to build these nightstands??  I love the clean lines and simple design. 

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    For more two tone projects, check out how I mixed poplar and walnut in this simple keepsake box 😉

    .

    And if you want to save this project for later, be sure to pin it! 🙂

    Two tone modern wall clock sitting on nightstand with vase and flower against grey wall

    Until next time, happy building 🙂

    « How to Build a Kids Table and Chair Set
    From the Ground Up–You’re Building a WHAT? »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. wheel weight

      December 15, 2018 at 4:01 am

      This rocks! What a beautiful wood project! I have heart eyes for it too! Pinned

    2. Alan

      August 23, 2018 at 3:05 am

      Awesome Work!

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        August 28, 2018 at 4:23 pm

        Thank you!

    3. Wendi @H2OBungalow

      August 11, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      This rocks! What a beautiful wood project! I have heart eyes for it too! Pinned 🙂

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        August 28, 2018 at 4:28 pm

        Thank you SO much Wendi!!!

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