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DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

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I am obsessed with concrete and I have quite the list of concrete DIYs envisioned in my head that are on my to-do list. The thing I love about working with concrete is that there are so many things you can make with it. I also love that modern industrial feel of concrete. But if you’re not into that raw concrete look that I love so much, you can stain it or paint it or I’ve even seen silver and gold leaf on concrete. How fun.

This past weekend I got to cross another concrete DIY off my list when I made an uber modern concrete clock using RAPID SET® CEMENT ALL®. I discovered this brand when I was making my DIY Concrete Planter Hands. I had a major fail on my first try with another concrete product (you can read about it here). So I went back to Home Depot and a very helpful sales person recommended using Rapid Set®.

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

That was the beginning of my Rapid Set® Cement All® love affair. I particularly love that it’s super easy to use: just add water, mix, and you’re good to go. It’s crack resistant and non-shrink so it’s long lasting, durable, and your DIYs will stay perdy for a long time. It’s rock solid in one hour. Yes, you read that right: one hour. So no more waiting 24 hours to cure. It’s also a more environmentally friendly cement than conventional portland cement concrete with a 65% lower carbon footprint and it’s 3x stronger too. Plus, it’s not only great for decorative concrete projects and casting, but its also great for concrete repairs, home improvement projects, and remodels! To me Rapid Set seriously blows away the competition.

So I had this concrete clock idea in my head for some time. At first I was planning on using an old baking pan as my cast. Then I came across this thing in mom’s garage…

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

What you’re looking at is the back of an old broken clock that had seen way better days. It was the perfect size though for my project: 17″ long by 7.5″ wide.  I really love giving new purpose to old things so I was pretty excited to have found this. …Plus, I wouldn’t have to ruin one of mom’s baking pans.  :-)

To prepare this broken piece to be used as my cast, I first ripped off the back and removed the old, broken clock mechanism.

I wanted my new clock to have an indented face. So to create that I used the bottom of an ice cream container. Yes, I had to eat the entire 1/2 gallon of triple chocolate ice cream just so I could make this project…. oh, the hardships of being a DIYer!

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

I used a utility knife to cut out the bottom of the container.

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

To turn the old wood clock into my cast, I then glued the bottom of the ice cream container to the inside of the old clock. There were ridges on the inner sides of the old piece, so I taped over the ridges so the sides of my new clock would be smooth. Then I ran a bead of caulk  along the bottom corner joints (and smoothed with my finger) so that no cement would seep into the joints.

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

I also placed a piece of tape over the old clock mechanism hole.

To create an opening for my new clock mechanism, I punched a hole in the middle of the glued down ice cream container bottom and stuck a straw through it to keep the hole open while the cement dried.

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

Next, I mixed water into the cement according to the instructions (I added a little extra water so it would be easier to pour) and pour into your cast. I used enough to make my clock about one inch thick.

Make sure to where a mask over your nose and mouth so you don’t breath in any of the cement dust.

Once the cement was poured, I sprayed some water onto the exposed surface (which will be the back of the clock) for curing.

Note that less water mixed into the cement equals a stronger cement when dried. But since I’ve used Rapid Set® Cement All® before, I felt comfortable adding the extra water for this purpose because I’ve learned how rock solid this cement gets when dry. I don’t even think my new clock would break if I were to throw it on the ground. It’s that tough.

I waited a little over an hour for the cement to dry and then used a screw driver to pry the wood cast apart.

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

Here is the front of the clock…

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

I gave the front surface a light sanding with one of my Dremels. The bottom of the clock was a little uneven, so I sanded that down too.

You can easily sand by hand also with a heavy grit sand paper. I’d recommend 60-80 grit.

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

Next, I placed the new clock mechanism through the hole from the back and screwed the hands on in front.

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

And here is the finished clock…

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

 

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

There you have it; easy DIY modern industrial concrete clock made with RAPID SET® CEMENT ALL®.

DIY CONCRETE CLOCK

 

RAPID SET® CEMENT ALL® is available at Home Depots across the U.S. and Canada.

[Disclosure: This post is sponsored by RAPID SET® CEMENT ALL®. I have used Cement All numerous times prior to this sponsorship simply because I prefer the product. Thus all opinions are my own.]

DIY Concrete

 

 

Cheers my friends!

Jenise

This post linked to some of these totally fabulous blogs and here.

 

 

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86 Comments on DIY MODERN INDUSTRIAL CONCRETE CLOCK WITH RAPID SET® CEMENT ALL®

    • Thank you Chelsea. I debated about using plain versus decorative clock arms and went with the straight plain ones exactly because I liked the simplicity. It works better for that modern industrial look.

    • Thanks Kath. Actually, it doesn’t really take that much time. And it’s easy enough to make for someone who has never used cement/concrete before. Definitely a great starter project for the first-timer.

    • Thanks Samantha! It’s actually not that heavy. Only a few lbs. I used a 20 lb picture hanger hook which is more than enough, so it’s not going any where.

    • I LOVE the idea of putting your sons hand print in it! Another idea that I’m going to be doing with my friend’s sons for holloween is make concrete zombie hands. You can use plastic gloves for the cast. I made a set of those when i made the planter hands. You can see that tutorial in the planter hands post.

    • Thank you. Glad you like it! It’s actually not very heavy so chances of falling aren’t more than any other item you’d hand on the wall.

    • I had never played with cement until just a few months ago. The best part of it is how easy it is to use. Just mix with water and go. Seriously, don’t let the word “cement” scare you. For decorative projects, just think of it as really wet clay. :-) I’m going to be making more hands with my friend’s kids for Halloween. Just mix with water, pour into the gloves, let dry.

  1. I love the modern look of the clock. I bet, if you wanted to, there is a ton you could do to make it colorful, add designs, personalize it and more. I really admire people that do DIY projects. I really would love to do a few one day. Soon, not really a DIY project, I would like to create my own water color painting and hang it up in my living room.

    • Then get to it lady! :-) I’m a serious believer that there’s no better time than the present. I bet you’ll surprise yourself with how wonderful your water color will turn out!

    • Definitely possible. But if you just hang it up, like any other wall decor, I’m guessing they probably wouldn’t bother with it…but I could be wrong. :-)

  2. It’s quite interesting to come across a blogger who’s fond of concrete. The result was pretty neat! Was it your first time to create a clock made of concrete? You can also paint it with any color.

    • Oh yes, I love concrete! I love that industrial look. Yes, it is the first time I used it for a clock. I sort of experiment as I go with a lot of my projects. Thanks for stopping by!

  3. That is so cool and clever. I love the clever way you made the mould for the concrete and the finished product is so sleek and modern.
    I would have to add numbers though as I just can;t manage without numbers. I realise that would probably ruin the whole sleek modernness of it though. Maybe stencilled or metal numbers to fit with the whole urban, concretey feel. Or maybe I could just try making this for someone else, someone who can tell the time with no numbers!

  4. wow, i’ve never seen a DIY like this! working with cement and all look like a tedious job and not exaclty girly haha >XD anyway, you pulled it off! the clock looks awesome! >XD and maybe even better if it’s painted, though that’s just my preference hehe

    • Thanks Michelle. I love working with it too! I think a lot of people miss out because the think concrete/cement is super complicated. But it’s the opposite of that.

  5. I had never seen a project like this ever before! Great content! I also have a friend who loves her concrete! She is building a huge new house and the floors are polished concrete. She lives in Austin , TX.

    • Thank you Nikki! I do most of my DIYs at my parents’ home simply because my place is totally minimalist. I just don’t like a lot of stuff. But with my parents’ home it really gives me the opportunity to be creative.

  6. I never worked with cement, I am more a wood girl :-) but it looks really interesting and your idea made my mind work. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Greetings, Ronja Lotte
    (www.nur-noch.blogspot.de)

    • Thank you Ronja! Few things make me happier than to be able to inspire someone else. I definitely recommend giving cement a try. It really is run and easy to work with!

  7. OMG! I’m in love with this DIY. I wanna do it tomorrow! Wish I had actual space to put it at and what not, but this gives me ideas on how to use this cement kit now. Too excited!

    • Thanks Diana! And almost anything can act as a mold to cast what ever it is you want to make. There are endless possibilities! The only limit is one’s imagination.

  8. That clock is so cool! I love it. I am really fascinated with making things out of concrete. I haven’t ventured there yet, but this idea is going on my list.

    Thanks for sharing.

    • Thanks Kelley! It is amazing how easy it is to use. If you make something, post it on my Facebook page. I’d love to share it with my community!

  9. Great idea! Thank you for sharing this post at City of Creative Dream’s City of Links last Friday! I appreciate you taking the time to party with me. Hope to see you again this week :)

    • Thank you Dorothy! I haven’t used color yet with any of my cement projects, but I think I’m going to start integrating color into my next cement/concrete project. I’m already pretty excited about what I’m gonna do next!

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