Grrrrr!

[Kepy]

A good friend stopped by yesterday to let me know that her husband had been to an auction and brought me a box of a bunch of electric clock motors (no hands or nuts to hold the motor in place) and said now you can make a bunch of clocks.  I appreciate the thought but it will be more trouble getting the necessary parts and they will expect to see some clocks.  Also, these all have the short shaft so will have to be mounted in 1/4" wood.  I'm beginning to think it was a mistake to make them a Christmas gift last year as didn't intend to give them ideas.

[chelcass]

Now Kepy, bite your tongue, smile and just say thank you, after all it is the thought that counts.  If they should ask tell them the clocks on your to do list......................

[dunk]

You can always devise a holder on the rear of the clock to hold it in place...

[old wormy]

You can use the short shafts in thicker wood by undercutting on the back of the wood.

[BilltheDiver]

Kepy I just made 5 clocks shaped like pigs using clocks with shafts for 1/4 inch wood.  If you have a router, make a template for the cutout in the back to recess the clockworks into and then use a bushing and straight or upcut spiral bit in the router to cut out the wood.  Just don't cut more than about 1/8 at a time.  Worked like a charm.  Best with a plunge router but not impossible without a plunge.

[jscott2]

Lee valley has clock hands.  http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32906&cat=1,42405.  The nuts are likely standard, you might find them in a hardware store or a store that sells clocks and mechanisms.

Good luck,
Jim

[EIEIO]

Personally I like working in 1/4" BB Ply. These clocks might be a chance to show off some nice joinery around the edges of the clock box, or do some of those guitar|banjo|fiddle shaped clocks. Or maybe an old drum?

[mlwmerk]

"I'm beginning to think it was a mistake to make them a Christmas gift last year as I didn't intend to give them ideas."

No good deed goes unpunished!!

[Kepy]

Some really good ideas but everything requires time which is in short supply right now.  I just counted and the box holds 39 motors and the friend told me he paid all of $4 for it.  I know you can order the hands and stick on numbers and will check with another friend who does clock and watch repair to see about the nuts.