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Legacy Personal Blogs Upcycle an old hard drive into a clock
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  • Author Author: rsc
  • Date Created: 3 Mar 2017 3:13 PM Date Created
  • Views 718 views
  • Likes 4 likes
  • Comments 4 comments
  • upcycle
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Upcycle an old hard drive into a clock

rsc
rsc
3 Mar 2017

After taking apart some old laptops, I was trying to think of what to do with the broken hard drives.  I've made several things in the past from the magnets and such, and one of the cooler things was a clock.

The first step is to find a clock with a second hand movement that runs from one AA battery with a long enough shaft to go through the HD case and one platter.  I found one at a Target store.

image

The next step is to take apart the clock and hard drive.

image

I didn't take pictures of the next steps, however you can imagine a mess all over the desk as I carved a space in the HD aluminum case nice and flat using a Dremel, then attaching the clock to the HD case with a thick cyanoacrylate glue.  A milling machine is probably the best way to do this part.

Here's the finished product.

image

I've used a wire between two of the case screw holes for wall mounting, or the HD PCB can be used as a base by adding a small angled bracket.

I cut the alarm lamp and snooze button off since there wasn't room to assemble the alarm hand due to the thickness of the case and platter.

Enjoy,

Scott

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Top Comments

  • DAB
    DAB over 8 years ago +2
    Interesting build. Have you considered powering the head to tick at random intervals, just to add a bit of fun? DAB
  • COMPACT
    COMPACT over 8 years ago +2
    You need the platter to rotate in lieu of one of the arms.
  • the-dubster
    the-dubster over 8 years ago in reply to COMPACT +1
    The second hand would be the coolest!
  • the-dubster
    the-dubster over 8 years ago in reply to COMPACT

    The second hand would be the coolest!

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  • COMPACT
    COMPACT over 8 years ago

    You need the platter to rotate in lieu of one of the arms.

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  • rsc
    rsc over 8 years ago in reply to DAB

    Yes, I did think of doing so the last time I built one, but never got around to it.

    Probably would need to be AC powered if that was added.

    Scott

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  • DAB
    DAB over 8 years ago

    Interesting build.

     

    Have you considered powering the head to tick at random intervals, just to add a bit of fun?

     

    DAB

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