Looking for a Good Shop Clock - Thoughts?

[dr_clyde]

I bought a Chicago Lighthouse USA made clock from McMaster about March of 2017. It won't keep time now. I'm quite disappointed. I may call McMaster-Carr and see if there is a warranty of any kind. Less than a year is not acceptable.

Here's what I'm after. I need a simple clock. As large of face as is practical, easy to read from across the room, and not stupid expensive, less than $100 would be nice.

I like plain black numbers on a white face, 12 hour clock. I just want to put a battery in it and not think about it for at least the length of daylight savings. I can swap a battery when I have it off the wall to change the time.

Anyone have a shop clock they recommend?

 

[shoeless]

I have one of these from Ikea for $15:

Have had no issues with it in the year I've had it. Keeps time just fine, about a foot in diameter, easy to read from across the garage.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10391908/

 

[IowaDon]

I've had this one on my wall for right at 13 months. It's been perfect so far. It keeps itself set and takes care of DST as well. The fact that it is always in sync with the clock on my phone (down to the second) is cool to me.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002WZRJK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[WittHay]

In the old shop, we used a commercial wall clock from Office Depot. Use smaller clocks from Staples now

 

[PMD1966]

Got a free clock from 4 Wheeler magazine with my subscription. Works fine.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I got an atomic clock at Walmart, was around $20 IIRC...

Insert battery, follow a couple simple steps to calibrate clock hands, it will eventually sync up with NIST's WWVB signal. It will even auto-adjust during DST (if you live in a local without DST you can usually disable that feature).

 

[Citation]

But a new clock mechanism, replace the bad one in the existing clock, move on. I think with those cheap mechanisms it's kind of hit or miss anything hard to tell which will be good.

 

[pedrodagr8]

Depends on how expensive or cheap you want to go! Additionally, it depends on if you want to have some fun making DIY or you just want something that works out of hte box.

Out of the box, pick up something super cheap and large would be something like this:
Seiko R-Wave Atomic Wall Clock Price $54.

Quick setup (set time zone and DST on/off) and pretty much will never get off sync. It uses the atomic clock signal to constantly correct itself.

If you wanted to have some fun and go DIY you could certainly use an Arduino and uBlox GPS interface with GPS antenna. With those, you could have sub-microsecond accuracy (overkill of course) and your ability to set the display type as you wish. Want 8inch tall digits you could purchase these. Want even taller or cheaper, you can purchase WS22812 indvidually addressable LED strips like these and build your own. I actually intend to try to have some fun that way at some point in the future.

 

[driftpin]

Your local hobby shop should have these, and it's fun to poke-around and see all the material they have. Our local shop has jets, pretty-cool to see them fly.

But a new clock mechanism, replace the bad one in the existing clock, move on. I think with those cheap mechanisms it's kind of hit or miss anything hard to tell which will be good.

 

[Alienbaby17]

I have one of these from Ikea for $15:

Have had no issues with it in the year I've had it. Keeps time just fine, about a foot in diameter, easy to read from across the garage.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10391908/

I have the same one hanging across from me right now on the wall. We’ve had it at least 5 years, maybe even 10. For the money we spent I’d definitely recommend it.

 

[RAS61]

Vintage Pam Clock

 

[gungatim]

if it's a battery powered mechanism, they are easy enough to replace. BUT, a lot of them use the AA cell version, when they really need the C-cell version (for very large faces/heavy hands).

I would just order one online. get the heavy duty one. it will last longer and they are pretty much interchangeable.

note the warning about affecting accuracy, may want to check the original install and loosen it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0748BRMB9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jayoldschool]

You can get BIG clocks at home decorator places. Discount department stores that have home decor sections. Bed Bath Beyond, Kohls, Winners, etc etc. My garage clock cost about $25 and is at least two feet in diameter.

 

[EOC_Jason]

$19.97 - 12" Atomic Clock - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-12-Inch-Analog-Atomic-Wall-Clock/23888980

$27.17 - 14" Atomic Clock - https://www.walmart.com/ip/La-Crosse-Technology-14-Atomic-Analog-Wall-Clock-Black/33599379

Why complicate things?

 

[driftpin]

I think this clock is what you're looking for, if you don't mind the price. It certainly punches the card for being a "shop clock."

http://www.honestcharley.com/quick-change-clock.html

The shop where I have my vehicles fixed, if it's something i won't fix myself, has a Snap On vintage clock. I appreciate they leave it up in these days of political correctness. It looks like a boudoir shot of a young Bonnie Bedelia, w/the Snap On logo beneath. She sure was cute!

 

[EOC_Jason]

My dad has one of these, not sure how old it is. I just remember when I need to change the time / battery the saw blade is SHARP. They must have dulled the tips in later models.

https://www.shopyourway.com/craftsman-12-in-vintage-clock-shop/205238431

 

[Lassen Forge]

Think I bought the last one at Office Despot for under $10. Runs on a double A, readable across the yard, works just fine in 0 degree weather, and if it ever dies (2 years and counting) I figure it was ten bucks well spent, and go get another.

 

[vssjim]

what about https://kit-cat.com/
its black with white letters and a round clock face and they are still made in the USA
kind of a joke i know but i do have one in the kitchen as a USA made nostalgia thing

 

[skruft]

I have plug-in ones because I collect electric clocks, but I also have the Ikea above, which has probably run 5 years so far.

 

[mbshop]

In my shop we had a large plug in clock on the back wall. In the office I had a so and mac battery clock.
got tired of replacing batteries though.

 

[davethorik]

One of my dad's buddies had a pretty large wall clock in his shop that he pulled out of a school gymnasium. It had the metal cage over the dial and everything.

 

[apollo11]

I have a digital one that runs automatically off Greenwich time

 

[Coach James]

I have two. One is a C-man saw blade clock. The other I got at Wal Mart for $5. Both run on batteries and keep good time.

Coach

 

[MaverickDMD]

+3 on the ikea clock. Simple school house design timeless no frills shop clock. Hate it one day? Pitch it, it's cheap.

 

[6PTsocket]

I've had this one on my wall for right at 13 months. It's been perfect so far. It keeps itself set and takes care of DST as well. The fact that it is always in sync with the clock on my phone (down to the second) is cool to me.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002WZRJK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have a LaCrosse, too. Those radio controlled clocks are dead on IF AND ONLY IF you get a good radio signal. Some geographic locations or places in a building do not. I bought a second LaCrosse, a digital, that would not sync up no matter what I tried. I returned it. Might have just been a dud. Most quartz, battery powered clocks keep good time,and there are even models that have some kind of built in calender to handle DST without an external signal.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[EOC_Jason]

I have a LaCrosse, too. Those radio controlled clocks are dead on IF AND ONLY IF you get a good radio signal. Some geographic locations or places in a building do not. I bought a second LaCrosse, a digital, that would not sync up no matter what I tried. I returned it. Might have just been a dud. Most quartz, battery powered clocks keep good time,and there are even models that have some kind of built in calender to handle DST without an external signal.

DST is a bit actually built into the signal code...

Yes they do rely on getting a signal and the antennas are located in Boulder, CO. Some people on the far east cost might have issues but for the rest of the US not so much.

I had one in a metal building, though it had windows in my office so it was still able to get a signal. The one in my garage also has kept perfect time.

It doesn't need a signal all the time, some will only get a good enough signal at night and sync up then. Others only when their garage door is open for a few minutes minimum...

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a LaCrosse, too. Those radio controlled clocks are dead on IF AND ONLY IF you get a good radio signal. Some geographic locations or places in a building do not. I bought a second LaCrosse, a digital, that would not sync up no matter what I tried. I returned it. Might have just been a dud. Most quartz, battery powered clocks keep good time,and there are even models that have some kind of built in calender to handle DST without an external signal.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I'm on my second LaCrosse clock.

Great clock but the auto-DST thing annoys me. I swear it resets itself even with it off or you have to get the time zone correct or it'll readjust itself.

I wish it just a simple set the time and leave it be. More than likely, when it gets a battery change, it'll come back off he wall to get changed atleast once.

 

[Murphy'sSidekic]

I have two of these, one in the shop and one in the garage: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019C4PMRK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517986168&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=plumeet+glow&dpPl=1&dpID=51fYpK%2BlQSL&ref=plSrch

Pros: it’s large and can be seen from afar; easy to read numbers; accurate; super bright glow to see it in the dark

Cons: A little more expensive at $29 than the cheap IKEA option.

 

[humber2]

Over the years I've bought many second-hand clocks.

I like a clock with a second hand.

I've always paid cash, it avoids the embarrassment if the seller would have to tell me there's no tic

 

[kctyphoon]

Get one that's stuck on 4 or 5pm.. that's the best clock u can get.

More seriously.. I think size matters with clocks for big rooms.. here's an oversized one for $50.. 19 inches.. what's nice too is it's a simple white face, black numbers - and more importantly - the entire diameter of the face is used. Nothing decorative, with a small face. Just big clear numbers.

INFINITY/ITC 90/0019-1 Oversized 12-Hour Clock, 19" Diameter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JDP6KU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Simple clocks are nice. My last boss would always complain about me showing up 2 minutes late.. I set the office clock back 3 minutes.. problem solved.

 

[Rickster]

You cant have a plain clock! You have do something like mount it in a tire and then hang it on the wall.

 

[BoostAddiction]

Here's what I am using. It's great- you can read it from anywhere in the garage, and the numbers have a kind of floating look in real life.

 

[bob15]

I bought this on e-bay and it still keeps excellent time.

 

[The Cobbler]

thinking of making one similar to this

 

[therest]

Just throwing a suggestion out there. It's a little pricey but looks good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019PJV3N4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Aura]

Or this:
Dayclox

 

[ptgarcia]

I have the Ikea clock, too. It's cheap, but it works.

 

[SirNik84]

what about https://kit-cat.com/
its black with white letters and a round clock face and they are still made in the USA
kind of a joke i know but i do have one in the kitchen as a USA made nostalgia thing

Thanks! This is now the girlfriends Valentine's day gift.

 

[dr_clyde]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have to go shopping and see what trips my trigger.

 

[kentenn]

Just take a $200 rotor off an M Roadster, a $10 clock from Lowes, and boom! Shop Clock.