Wooden Clock Building

Building a Wooden Clock

Wooden clocks blend traditional craftsmanship with practical function. Whether you build a simple wall clock or an elaborate mantel piece, the project teaches important skills including precise drilling, veneer work, and finishing. The clock movement does the timekeeping—you create the art.

Clock Movement Options

Select your movement before designing:

• Quartz movements: Battery-powered, accurate, quiet. Most common choice. Available in various shaft lengths to match your wood thickness.
• Pendulum movements: Decorative pendulum swings below the clock face. Requires planning for the pendulum space.
• Westminster chime: Plays melody on the hour. Larger and more expensive but impressive.

Measure the shaft length needed—it must extend through your clock face with enough thread for the nut and hands.

Simple Wall Clock Design

1. Select your wood: 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick hardwood, at least 10″ diameter or square.
2. Cut to shape: Circle on bandsaw or square on table saw. Consider live edge slabs for natural designs.
3. Drill the center hole: Size according to your movement’s shaft. Typically 5/16″ to 3/8″.
4. Create a recess: Route a pocket in the back for the movement housing, typically 2-3″ diameter, 1/2″ deep.
5. Add numbers or markers: Wood-burned, painted, inlaid, or applied metal numbers. Space evenly using a template.
6. Finish the wood: Apply your chosen finish, masking the center hole.
7. Install the movement: Press or screw into the recess, feed shaft through the hole.
8. Attach hands: Press onto shaft in order: hour hand, minute hand, second hand (if included).
9. Add hanging hardware: Sawtooth hanger or keyhole slot on the back.

Design Ideas

• Natural edge: Use a cookie cut from a log with bark intact
• Segmented: Glue up contrasting woods in a pattern
• Resin inlay: Pour colored resin into voids or create river-style designs
• Minimalist: No numbers, just wood grain and simple hands
• Vintage: Distress the wood and use roman numerals

Tips for Success

• Test-fit the movement before finishing
• Ensure the clock face is flat where hands sweep
• Leave clearance between hands and face
• Balance the wood if possible (check center of gravity)