Record and CD Clock - DIY!

Here's another craft idea that you can use to recycle your old music!  Now that we put so much of our music on our computers and MP3 players, most of us have a number of old records and CD's (scratched or just outgrown) lying around.  Don't throw them out! 
Make them into this awesome clock!

It's 4:32!

Record and CD Clock

 7 easy steps in 15 minutes or less

Step 1: Gather your supplies!

What You'll Need (it's only 5 things!):

• An old record - if you don't have one at home, most vintage/thrift stores carry them.  It's fun to use records that have some significance to you (and you won't need the CD to cover the label!)  We bought ours for $3 from a vendor on the street!  Or, you can always make a fun kid's bedroom clock or keepsake by using toy records!
• An old CD (optional) - again, it's best if this CD has some particular significance to you.  We used a scratched copy of Laurie's "Whaddaya Think of That?" (not pictured above).
• Glue - mosaic tile glue works best, we've found, but any glue will be fine - even school glue (though glue sticks are probably too weak).
• Cotton Swab (optional) - for help with gluing.
• Numbers or letters - get creative!  You can cut them out of old magazines, buy them from the scrap-booking section of your local craft store, use refrigerator magnets, or make them yourselves.  You don't even need numbers!  We thought it was cute to use the first letter of the number we were representing (i.e. 12 was "T", 1 was "O", etc)  On the other hand, if this is for a child who is learning to tell time, it is very helpful to have all of the numbers on the clock.
• Any working clock with hands that you don't mind taking apart.  Rather than tossing one that you might not like anymore, simply remove the clock face and keep the hands and the gear they are attached to (where the battery goes). If you don't have an old clock, you can buy clock kits in many varieties from craft stores (you can make cool clock hands yourself, so go for the one with the least packaging, not the biggest hands!).   We didn't have an old clock in the office, so we found a kit at Michael's craft store with a pendulum and really dug it!  Make sure you recycle the packaging.
• Scissors (optional) - you only need these if the spindle your clock hands are attached to it wider than the record/CD hole OR if you are cutting your numbers out of magazines.

Step 2: Prepare your record!  Depending on the clock apparatus you use, you may need to widen the hole in the middle of the record (grown-ups only!).  Simply stick one side of the scissors through the hole and gently rotate.  The vinyl is soft so it "shaves" away easily with fairly sharp scissors.

It only takes a little to be wide enough for most clock gear!

Step 3: Glue your CD on the front. Match up the holes and glue down securely.  Be sure to wait until it's dry to pick your clock up!

 

The tile glue we used fastens these together almost instantly

Step 4: Arrange your numbers/letters! You will want to lay them out around the edge to be sure you have the spacing right before gluing them down (this is really important or else your clock will be difficult to decipher - ours is a little off because we rushed through this step)  You can follow the outer circles in the record as a guide. Don't hesitate to get creative here - We've seen some really amazing clocks with the numbers strewn about, collecting at the bottom, or depicted in photos.  Your kids will probably have the BEST ideas for number placement :)

. 

 If you're making a traditional clock, the "12" (or "T" in our case) will need to be directly above the top of the CD/label

 

Double check that your numbers/letters are lined up correctly before gluing down - ours are a little out of whack!

Step 5: Glue down the letters.  We used a cotton swab to make this easier.

Dip your cotton swab into the glue and dab a little on each letter.

Step 6: Attach your clock gear.  Follow the directions on the packaging if you bought a kit.  If you used an old clock, slip the record onto the spindle and reattach the hands.  It's best to remove the battery from your clock first so you don't have to worry about the hands.  Hang your pendulum (if you have one), and you're good to go!

Place the CD over the spindle

 

Lay flat and attach the hands (not pictured)

Step 7: Find a great place to hang your masterpiece! 

 

 
We were so excited about our first attempt that we can't wait to go back and get more creative with this (not to mention, refine our spacing-skills!)  We thought it would also be fun to:

• Make cool designs with old CD's by gluing 6 around the outside of a center CD (sort of snowflake-style) and use the holes and overlaps as numbers.
• Make a collage on the face of the clock with your pictures
• Add pieces of the record sleeve to the face (maybe cut out numbers with the sleeve!)  
• Glue photos onto the hands of the clock

Send us your clock ideas!

 

 

 

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[sanovnik]

I'm so excited. I really appreciate sharing this great post. Keep up your excellent work.

[fitnes]

wow, amazing tutorial, pictures and text, thanks for this!

[Pefkohori]

This has become that standard of which all other sites should be based.

[Dijeta]

Wow, this is truly classic!

[Cindy]

Wow, this is truly classic! How gorgeous that wall clock is, a masterpiece indeed. This inspires me to make one as well, thanks for the tutorials.

[Kris]

I made record clocks for my brothers over 30 years ago. I have painted the vinyl records, (think watermelon) and made some great cute clocks for friends and family. Not a new idea, but still a good one.