Make a Clock from Your Favorite Storybook
Would you like to make a clock out of a favorite book? You can make it out a storybook or a cookbook for the kitchen or any kind of book.
This is a project for a grown-up or a grown-up and kid.
I found this on a website call Intructables posted by a member there called “madhaworth”
And here are the complete instructions:
Step 1: Gather Supplies
Supplies:
- A book*
- A clock set**
- spray paint (optional)
Equipment:
- A drill
*The book needs to be hardcover with a reasonably simple cover (not too much text). It should also be quite thin and large enough for the clock hands.
**Clock sets are available at most craft stores like at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. They are also available at Wal-Mart. The “stem” of the clock set comes in various lengths from 1/4 to 3/4 inch. Measure your book and get a clock set made for the thickness of your book.
Step 2:Remove Pages and Find the Center of the Cover
Before you start, you may want to cut out a few pages of the book. You can frame the pages and hang them next to the clock to complement it. Imagine framed children’s book art on the wall next to the clock made out of the cover.
Mark the center of your book by going corner to corner with a straight edge. If the cover of your book has a design that would look better with the clock off center you can put the center stem where it will look best. Mark wherever you want to drill. (Just be sure that you will have room to install the numbers and clock hands).
Step 3:Spray Paint the Numbers
The clock sets usually have plastic numbers and hand that are brass colored. The numbers and hands show up better and look more professional if they are spray painted matte black.
Step 4:Drill
Drill a hole in the spot you marked. This example used a 5/16″ bit but you’ll want to follow the instructions that came with your clock pieces. If you own or know someone who owns a drill press it is better but a just about any electric drill will do the trick if you use the right size bit and try to keep the bit perpendicular to the surface to be drilled.
Step 5:Assemble your clock
Follow the instructions that came with your clock parts. The only tricky part is the thickness of the book. I kept finding my book too thick for the post on the clock. In this case your options are:
- Buy a clock with a longer post (they vary in size)
- Make a table top clock by opening the book and inserting the clock back between the last page and the back cover
- Cutting a large, square hole in the back cover to inset the clock mechanism (or maybe removing the back cover? But, that might look weird from the side.)
Step 6:Stick on the Numbers
Also, use the longest hand as the guide for where the numbers should be. Make a circle template so your numbers aren’t lopsided.Start with 12, 6, 9 and 3 and then fill in the other numbers.
Step 7:That’s It! You’re Done!
Now spend time enjoying your new creation, framing the pages you saved as accent pieces or pick another book and make another one right now.
