Introduction: Lego Wall Clock
I wanted to make a Lego wall clock for my son's birthday. I did some quick looking on line thinking I could find one premade, but I couldn't - just Lego themed normal clocks. I wanted a clock made out of Legos - here's how I made it.
Step 1: Obtain Parts
Here are the parts that I used for this project:
Lego Parts:
Large Green Baseplate Lego Site
Minifigures: when I purchased these, there was a special for 4 random minifigures for a couple of dollars, I think. Obviously, optional.
The following parts were ordered from Lego's Pick-A-Brick site:
To find these parts, enter text between single quotes into Brick Name field on Pick-A-Brick.
'Plate 1X1' (many, assorted colors)
Quantity 1: 'Plate 1X8' (hour hand)
Quantity 1: 'Plate 1X12' (minute hand)
Quantity 1: 'Clamp 1X2' (handle for figure to hold on to)
Quantity 4: 'Plate 2X2 Angle' (stands for figures)
As far as number of the Plate 1x1, I took a guess. Most of the colors I ordered 12, but since there weren't 12 different colors, on some I ordered 30 just to be safe. As you can see, the 2 took 14 of these plates, while the 1 takes 6. Of course, you don't have to use 1X1 plates, you can mix and match sizes and shapes, but I didn't want to get that complex.
Clock Motor:
This is a very basic quartz clock movement. It should be available at hobby or craft stores, as well as many sources online. If you pay more than $10, it's probably too much. The one I bought was number 10002 from Klockit.com. It came with free hands which I did not use, but they were nice for sizing the holes in the Lego hands.
Lego Parts:
Large Green Baseplate Lego Site
Minifigures: when I purchased these, there was a special for 4 random minifigures for a couple of dollars, I think. Obviously, optional.
The following parts were ordered from Lego's Pick-A-Brick site:
To find these parts, enter text between single quotes into Brick Name field on Pick-A-Brick.
'Plate 1X1' (many, assorted colors)
Quantity 1: 'Plate 1X8' (hour hand)
Quantity 1: 'Plate 1X12' (minute hand)
Quantity 1: 'Clamp 1X2' (handle for figure to hold on to)
Quantity 4: 'Plate 2X2 Angle' (stands for figures)
As far as number of the Plate 1x1, I took a guess. Most of the colors I ordered 12, but since there weren't 12 different colors, on some I ordered 30 just to be safe. As you can see, the 2 took 14 of these plates, while the 1 takes 6. Of course, you don't have to use 1X1 plates, you can mix and match sizes and shapes, but I didn't want to get that complex.
Clock Motor:
This is a very basic quartz clock movement. It should be available at hobby or craft stores, as well as many sources online. If you pay more than $10, it's probably too much. The one I bought was number 10002 from Klockit.com. It came with free hands which I did not use, but they were nice for sizing the holes in the Lego hands.
Step 2: Drill Hole in Large Base Plate
Mark the center of the plate with a pencil on the back. Plate is about 10" across, so center is around 5", right in between 4 studs on the plate. First drill a starter hole with a small bit (1/16"), then drill with shaft diameter of the clock movement. Mine was 5/16".
Check for correct fit, but do not fasten motor yet.
Check for correct fit, but do not fasten motor yet.
Step 3: Make Clock Face
This is the part that took me the longest. I kept putting the numbers in the wrong place. I'd advise to start with 12, then 6, then 3 & 9. Fill in the rest of the numbers after. My numbers were generally 6 blocks high by 4 block wide. This took some experimenting before I was happy.
Step 4: Make Hands
The hour hand is pretty straightforward. Typically, the hole for this hand is round. Use a drill bit to find the size of the hour hand that came with the movement. Drill first with a small bit (1/16" again) right in the center of the last stud. Then drill out with the larger bit. I had to file it a bit before it would slip over the shaft. In my case, this basically removed the last stud in the hour hand.
The minute hand was trickier. I found that placing the minute hand on directly interfered with the hour hand because of the thickness of the lego parts. Because of this, I used a 1X1 plate as the point where the minute hand shaft is connected. The hole is oblong, so I used a drill to make an oblong hole. After I got a good snug fit, I then super glued the 1X1 plate with the hole to the bottom of the 1X12 plate. I originally drilled a small hole in the minute hand, but I shouldn't have - the shaft won't go through to the minute hand.
Because the 1X1 plate is right up against the hour hand, as it spun the corners of the plate touched the stud on the hour hand. I used a file to file off the sharpness off the corners of the 1X1 plate that was glued to the bottom of the minute hand.
The minute hand was trickier. I found that placing the minute hand on directly interfered with the hour hand because of the thickness of the lego parts. Because of this, I used a 1X1 plate as the point where the minute hand shaft is connected. The hole is oblong, so I used a drill to make an oblong hole. After I got a good snug fit, I then super glued the 1X1 plate with the hole to the bottom of the 1X12 plate. I originally drilled a small hole in the minute hand, but I shouldn't have - the shaft won't go through to the minute hand.
Because the 1X1 plate is right up against the hour hand, as it spun the corners of the plate touched the stud on the hour hand. I used a file to file off the sharpness off the corners of the 1X1 plate that was glued to the bottom of the minute hand.
Step 5: Final Assembly
Mount the clock motor onto the base plate.
Press on the hour hand.
Press on the minute hand.
Check for ease of movement by spinning the minute hand, making sure it doesn't touch the hour hand except in the center, and that there is no interference of movement in the center.
Decorate with minifigures.
Hang by the built in hanger on the back of the clock motor.
Press on the hour hand.
Press on the minute hand.
Check for ease of movement by spinning the minute hand, making sure it doesn't touch the hour hand except in the center, and that there is no interference of movement in the center.
Decorate with minifigures.
Hang by the built in hanger on the back of the clock motor.