After visiting my parents house, I left with a full stomach and my old Playstation 1, amongst a few other things. After plugging it in I was horrified to see it did not work. Fortunately, I have been meaning to get a quirky, one off clock so I put two and two together and got a analog Playstation 1 Clock!

If you wanted to build this clock chances are you might have one in your loft. Failing that, they can normally be found at car boots or yard sales.

Step 1: Tools and Components

There are few very tools and components for this instructable. Making it very cheap and easy to make!

Tools:

Drill + Drill bits (6-8mm)
Ruler
Small Phillips and flat head screw drivers (I only used my flat head as I didn't have a small enough Phillips)
Pliers
long nose pliers
A pair of compasses
Calipers (not necessary but handy and can be substituted for the ruler
Towel or something similar

Components:

Playstation one
clockwork mechanism (Plenty to choose from on Ebay or Amazon)

Step 2: Dismantling the Playstation

To dismantle the Playstation you will need to start by unscrewing the 6 small screws on the underside of the console. (Please see pictures for guidance) I used my mouse mat as a protective cushion so that the top would not get scratched. You may wish to use a towel or something similar.

Once removed, you can put the top of the console to one side for the time being. You will now be greeted by a disc reader, motherboard and metal tray. Start by removing the 3 screws on the metal tray (Please see pictures for guidance) there are a few components connected to one another via cables, these can easily pulled out. Once unscrewed and the cables removed the tray should come off without issue.

Step 3: Salvaging the Ports

The motherboards are quite heavy and need to be removed, especially if you intend to have the clock wall mounted, which in my opinion is best!

So in order for the console to look as much as its original self as possible you will need to remove the motherboards, remove the ports and then reattach the ports.

There are 6 screws holding the green motherboard in place and and 2 holding the brown motherboard in place. (Please see pictures for guidance). Unscrew and removed these then put the console to one side. Use the flat head screw driver to pry apart the ports from the motherboard. Take care as it is possible to snap the fixings! Repeat the process on the remaining 2 ports.

Once competed use the same screws to fix the ports back to their original location. (Please see pictures for guidance)

Step 4: Marking the Spindle Hole

This is one of the most important steps to this guide! Because if the spindle is not central it will ruin the look of the clock. So measure twice and cut once.. or in this instance drill once.

The diameter of the lid is exactly 160mm. So the radius is half that, which is 80mm. Set your pair of compasses to 80mm and lock into position. Once done you will need to measure the center of the lid. Place the point of the compasses on the edge of the lid and hold in place with your finger, then make a small line where the lead touches the lid. Repeat the process so that you have a cross in the center of the lid. (Please see pictures for guidance). Double check the cross is central by measuring with a ruler at multiple angles. If it is not central wipe the pencil markings off and repeat.

Step 5: Time to Drill!

Now you're all marked up it is time to make the hole. Using your ruler or calipers measure the diameter of the clockwork threaded spindle and insert the correct drill bit into your drill. Make sure your drill is not set to hammer action and place a piece of scrap wood underneath the soon to be hole. Now slowly but surely make the hole without applying to much pressure to the lid. Too much pressure may result in the lid snapping.

Whilst you have the drill out it makes sense to drill the "hanging hole" which allows you to have the clock wall mounted. The top middle hole is perfectly central and allows the clock to be hung level with ease. Like before, make sure your drill is not set to hammer action and place a piece of scrap wood underneath the soon to be larger hole.

Once through flip the underside of the console and there will be a thin sheet of metal. Use your long nose pliers to fold the metal back on its self. (Please see pictures for guidance).

Step 6: Dry Run and Marking Out

Now you've done the drilling, it is time to see if it all fits together. Push the clockwork spindle through the hole and place the rubber seal, washer and hex nut on the spindle. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!! You will notice the clockwork mechanism does not nicely butt up to the under side of the lid. You will need to use your pliers to snap this circular piece of plastic off the lid BUT before you do that you need to do some more marking out. When you try to close the lid, again you will notice something is not right. The hole previously used for the disc reader is not large enough for the clockwork mechanism.

Turn the console upside down and mark out the rough area of the mechanism. Now everything is marked out, it is time to remove the clockwork mechanism by unscrewing the hex nut.

Step 7: Break Away and Put Together

Time for some careful destruction. Using your pliers nip and twist the plastic circular section on the under side of the lid, this should easily break away. Now repeat the process for the larger section to be removed. The plastic here is quite thick and may be difficult to break but be slow and steady as you do not want to damage the opening mechanism, or lid.

Remember this is never going to be seen so it does not have to be perfectly neat.

Now assemble the clockwork mechanism like before (stop at the hex nut). If the mechanism is not close enough to the under side of the lid or the lid will not close you will need to repeat the previous step. If the the mechanism is tight up against the underside of the lid and the lid closes without issue install the hour, minute and seconds hands onto the spindle.

Step 8: Assembly and Wall Mounting

To re-assemble the console, place the two sections together and install 5 of the 6 first screws you removed at the start of the guide. Do not install the screw which would be located within the "hanging hole"

Fortunately for me the wall I wanted to mount the clock on is wooden cladded. So I was able to screw directly into the wall. If the wall you intend to hang the clock from is masonry you will likely need to use raw plugs, if the wall is stud work you will need to use plaster board fixings or find a stud.

The screw you use to hang the clock from will need to have a head size smaller or the same size as the drill bit use to make the hole. The screw will need to protrude the wall approximately 15mm so that the screw can act as a hanger without the chance of the clock falling off.

Introduction: Playstation 1 Retro Clock