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Clock Conundrum

Bull

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I don't have any clock in my barn. If I don't have my phone on me, then I am oblivious to the time, and have to run into the house to check.

I don't want to get anything run of the mill. Ideally, I'd like a vintage Miller High Life wall clock, but those darn things are pricey.

What cool clocks do you all have? Anyone ever get a clock custom made somehow?
 
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Joe B.

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You can buy the mechanism to run a clock for not much money. (Check Google, eBay, etc.) I had a friend in high school that made a pretty cool clock out of an old Mercedes hub cap.

Make whatever you want.
 

malibu101

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Walnutport PA
I have to agree with what Joe B. said- a clock movement (which is quite cheap) and your imagination with something would make something real cool to you! Not to mention something to spend shop time on and show off here!
We have a clock in the kitchen that was made by a friend of mines wife as a wedding present with our wedding invitation on it. It is one of a kind and made with thought by someone I know just for me(us). Very cool.
However, I have a cheap plastic Budweiser logo clock hanging in the wall of the garage for telling time. It works and only needs an AA battery about every 3 years.
 

Charles (in GA)

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You can buy the mechanism to run a clock for not much money. (Check Google, eBay, etc.) I had a friend in high school that made a pretty cool clock out of an old Mercedes hub cap.

Make whatever you want.

My brother gave me one made with a Mustang wheel cover (I have a '70 model) and it serves the purpose.

Charles
 

Jack Olsen

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Yeah, there are a LOT in that thread. Some very cool clocks.

But I'm cheap. And as it happened, I didn't have a space on the wall where a clock could go where I'd be able to see it from anywhere in the garage. So I bought two new clocks, and put them together to make one two-faced clock. It's got a little of a retro feel, since they were used in train stations and schools.

clocklr.jpg
 

bad_idea

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Pasquotank, NC
my cheap timex alarm clock stopped "alarming" (wth else should i call it?). so after i was late for work a couple times i bought a new alarm clock. the old one still kept time well, so i stuck it on a shelf in the garage. it ain't gorgeous, but i know what time it is in the garage.
 

Torque1st

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my cheap timex alarm clock stopped "alarming" (wth else should i call it?). so after i was late for work a couple times i bought a new alarm clock. the old one still kept time well, so i stuck it on a shelf in the garage. it ain't gorgeous, but i know what time it is in the garage.
That is what I do also. I have several retired alarm clocks spotted around in my garage and basement shops, office, etc. The one over my computer monitor is plugged into my UPS unit so it does not get all blinky every time the power glitches.

Clock movements can also be purchased at almost any craft/hobby store, -usually for less than eBay etc.
 

Outlander

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Quebec, Canada
When my son was small we made clocks for family members at Christmas. Old computer motherboards, CDs etc were used. Movements were cheap and we had fun.

Since I have no shop clock now, maybe I should go look in the storage room for one of his masterpieces :)
 

Kevin54

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attachment.php


WallyWorld $3 clock

attachment.php


Robbed the works out of an el-cheapo clock and drilled a hole in an old truck hubcap. You can also get works at hobby stores, WallyWorld, etc, for around $5.00. You can use all kinds of auto related items to fab up a clock that is unique.
 

c/o say

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Indiana
How about you make a blackhawk tools clock find some old ads resize them on your computer print em out wala Bulls blackhawk clock. Im going to do one with a tin sign when I get some time.
 

Stuart in MN

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I bought a wall clock for my kitchen at Target similar to this one:

attachment.php


I thought it had a nice retro look and they're pretty cheap, in the $10-$15 range. Check around at your local big box store and you can probably find something similar.
 

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Bull

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How about you make a blackhawk tools clock find some old ads resize them on your computer print em out wala Bulls blackhawk clock. Im going to do one with a tin sign when I get some time.

Hmmmmmm.....:rocker:
 

Doxhog

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Illinois
Pictures of my shop clock.
 

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Frank The Plumber

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I've made a few clocks from those craft store clock kits. The mechanisms in most of those are some what disappointing. If you want something nice and personalized such as this custom black hawk tools clock, I think I would do as the other person advised and make your own, I would however disassemble a higher quality shop clock and place in my own custom graphic imaging. You may be able to get something printed on a nice high gloss vinyl or other quality medium at a Fed Ex Kinkos printing outlet, I remember having a presentation composed there and they did some nice innovative work upon it.
 

Scout Driver

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Shop at Target or Wal-Mart when clocks are on sale. Sometimes you can get them for a couple bucks. For that price, you can gut the clock-works out of them to build your own clock, or customize the clock however you wish.

Scott
 

kbs2244

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Nov 11, 2006
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A short drive from my place.
http://www.klockit.com/

But I have learned that any garage sale battery powered clock can be adapted to you own face design.
The only problem I have run into is the thickness of the face. Some thick stuff will need a works with an extra long threaded shaft.

The real problem I have run into is that my grandkids do not know how to tell analog time.
(God help you if it is a clock with Roman Numerals.)
Everything is digital.
2:45 they know, but “a quarter to three” gets a blank stare.
 

Gary S

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Now that the world has gone high tech, there is this wonderful device available. It is called a wrist watch. Now you can have the correct time on you all the time without having to carry your phone along.
 

c/o say

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Alright bull the seed has been planted now its time to get to work. Show us what you come up with.
 
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Bull

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Now that the world has gone high tech, there is this wonderful device available. It is called a wrist watch. Now you can have the correct time on you all the time without having to carry your phone along.

Yes...because everyone loves to wear a watch.

Thanks for the ideas, gang. I'll set to thinkin' about this for a while. :)
 

bgarrett

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In todays news, electric companies have decided that it is too expensive to keep producing electricity that is 60 hertz. 60 hz is required for clocks to keep accurate time but they figure most clocks are digital now....
 

c/o say

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Yes they are so handy when your elbow deep in some car then when you try to pull your arm out yea I'm stuck. I wear one at work but not when I am at home and I'm old school don't have a cell phone.
 

Brad54

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Jun 13, 2006
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I've got an old 12-inch diameter, convex-lens office clock in my shop. Kinda like the one they had in Catholic school. Just the other day, 16-year-old Boy Wonder told me it was pretty cool and he likes it.

I've also got a 12-inch square Quaker State motoroil clock with a round florescent bulb behind the plastic face that has the words and numbers on it... it lights through the plastic. It's really kinda dingy yellow at this point, but once I get the new bulb in it and a fresh extension cord, it'll also go up in the shop somewhere. One will probably go in the office, the other out in the shop.

Start hunting swap meets (where I got mine--one for $5, the Quaker State for $30, needing work).

-Brad
 

Jeff_R

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Feb 23, 2011
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Bull, I think for your shop you would come up with a Blackhawk "board" that could have various clocks available on it... all outlined. You could come up with your own board number for it and explain to everyone that this is your rarest board. You could even then fill in some of the spaces, and leave some blank for the ones you are hunting for (would be great for the in-law Christmas list!!!).
 
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Bull

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Bull, I think for your shop you would come up with a Blackhawk "board" that could have various clocks available on it... all outlined. You could come up with your own board number for it and explain to everyone that this is your rarest board. You could even then fill in some of the spaces, and leave some blank for the ones you are hunting for (would be great for the in-law Christmas list!!!).

That is a kick-*** idea. I might lack the creative ability to produce such a thing, however. :headscrat
 

BDAZSVT

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Jun 22, 2010
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204
I found one at Target that resembled a speedometer and added a sticker to personalise it.
IMG_20110730_093202.jpg

And I am currently insulating the walls and will drywall soon.
 

Jack Olsen

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Get an inexpensive clock. Then use Photoshop to make a red circle, with the Blackhawk logo in the middle, and the 12 numbers done as white outlines. Have an online place print it as an 11x14 photo. Cut out the circle and glue it in place on the inexpensive clock. Done.

It will fit right in.

IMG_1965.jpg


If I get some time this afternoon, I'll mock one up.
 

Jeff_R

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Bull, expanding a little more... you could include a Blackhawk wristwatch and calendar in the same board. You would just hang the clock you make (a cheap clock with the Blackhawk logo in the center) in the size that matches. The "blanks" are the ones you are looking for to "add" to your collection.

I hope the attachment shows what I mean...
 

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