Joined
·
2,382 Posts
Luck boy that I am, I inherited a 24inch diameter solar powered Infinity brand wall clock from a school that I'd helped re-design a play area for. It looked like this when new: http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Instruments-Solar-Solar-Powered-Humidity/dp/images/B008V867OQ
Kind of a mismatched design with the antiqued fake patina dial, the too-small-for-the-face art deco hands & that goofy second hand. The good news is that the movement is a solar powered Seiko quartz (with aa storage cell) with a smooth sweeping second hand in a sealed 'outdoor use' holder.
They told me that it had been hit by something & fell off the wall..."toss it out 'cause it doesn't work anymore." they said. Hmm ...
Yes, the glass was shattered, the frame was a bit dented from the fall, & the hands were bent preventing movement but come on, "toss it out" ?!??! NEVER!
After tossing it in..to my car & eventually my garage/workshop, I asked myself: what kind of clock would I want in my yard?
I want only the most recognized, most famous, most impressive, Father of Clocks in MY yard... that's right, Westminster's "Big Ben"! That'll do. Yup, that's it on the right below.
![]()
Close up of the dial...
![]()
or at least a 24" diameter version of just the clock face ... for now. (I'm not sure my neighbors would react if I were to build the tower too.)
Here's the finished result:
![]()
I had to take a few "liberties" with the dial rosette to allow for the solar cell to see light. I also simplified some of the details on the hands. It's much more of an homage than a replica, that's for sure.
What was done?
Tap out & repaint the dented metal circular frame, pull the temp & hydro parts off, custom made dial, custom made hands, replace the missing glass with lexan.
The dial was easy enough to manage but I was set back for a long while trying to find the right length, right shaped hands for 18' dial. That's why I decided to just go ahead & make 'em.
I really enjoyed this clock make-over project. I love my backyard big ben!
Kind of a mismatched design with the antiqued fake patina dial, the too-small-for-the-face art deco hands & that goofy second hand. The good news is that the movement is a solar powered Seiko quartz (with aa storage cell) with a smooth sweeping second hand in a sealed 'outdoor use' holder.
They told me that it had been hit by something & fell off the wall..."toss it out 'cause it doesn't work anymore." they said. Hmm ...
Yes, the glass was shattered, the frame was a bit dented from the fall, & the hands were bent preventing movement but come on, "toss it out" ?!??!
NEVER!After tossing it in..to my car & eventually my garage/workshop, I asked myself: what kind of clock would I want in my yard?
I want only the most recognized, most famous, most impressive, Father of Clocks in MY yard... that's right, Westminster's "Big Ben"! That'll do
. Yup, that's it on the right below.
Close up of the dial...
or at least a 24" diameter version of just the clock face ... for now. (I'm not sure my neighbors would react if I were to build the tower too.)
Here's the finished result:
I had to take a few "liberties" with the dial rosette to allow for the solar cell to see light. I also simplified some of the details on the hands. It's much more of an homage than a replica, that's for sure.
What was done?
Tap out & repaint the dented metal circular frame, pull the temp & hydro parts off, custom made dial, custom made hands, replace the missing glass with lexan.
The dial was easy enough to manage but I was set back for a long while trying to find the right length, right shaped hands for 18' dial. That's why I decided to just go ahead & make 'em.
I really enjoyed this clock make-over project. I love my backyard big ben!
🏼
