The domino effect
Give your mantlepiece a quirky and contemporary update by upcycling old dominoes into a stylish clock.
INFORMATION Materials
* Sheet of MDF at least 35 x 35cm
(13 x 13¾in) (3mm thick) * Stanley knife
* Cutting mat
* Drill with 8mm bit
* Wood effect wallpaper
* An old set of dominoes
* Clock mechanism with medium
spindle and 86mm minute hand * PVA glue and extra-strong glue
Size: 35 x 35cm (13 x 13¾in) Rating: Easy
Mundane objects often make the best upcycles and this cool clock is no exception, as it uses an old box of children’s dominoes to great effect. This project is also a great example of an upcycling make that’s as quirky as it is practical – it’ll be a real talking point in your living room. The background ‘wood’ is in fact wallpaper, and although a roll is quite expensive, you might be able to get a big enough free sample piece (or you can use the whole roll by making more clocks as gifts for friends).
How to make the domino clock
1 Place the MDF onto a cutting mat and mark out a square measuring 35 x 35cm (13 x 13 in). Use a Stanley knife and a metal ruler to cut along the marked lines. It will take a few attempts to cut through the MDF but once you’ve scored through two or three times the cutting becomes easier.
2 Mark the middle of the square on one side of the MDF. To do this, draw a line from corner to opposite corner, then repeat for the other two corners. The centre will be where the two lines cross. Drill a hole here.
3 Roll out the wallpaper, front facing down, then place the MDF square onto the back. Mark out and cut a square of paper about 6cm (2 in) larger than the MDF.
4 Remove the MDF from the paper and coat one side of it with PVA glue. Place onto the back of the wallpaper while the PVA is still wet. Turn over so the pattern side is facing up, and smooth out any air bubbles. Leave for around 10 minutes, then turn the MDF over and fold over the wallpaper onto the reverse – cut into the corners and stick in place using PVA glue, for a neat finish.
5 Using a small pair of scissors, cut the paper at the position of the small drill hole to allow the mechanism to push through.
6 Cut a piece of wallpaper measuring 2cm ( in) smaller than the clock. Stick to the reverse of the clock, and push scissors through the mechanism hole.
7 Starting at 12 o’clock, position the dominoes at 12, 3, 6 and 9, then add the remaining numbers (use the photos on this page as a guide to which dominoes to use in each position). Arrange them so that they are 8.5cm (3 in) from the hole in the centre and evenly spaced. Stick the dominoes in place with extra-strong glue and leave to dry.
8 Push the spindle through the hole in the centre of the clock, then carefully assemble the hands as per the instructions supplied with the mechanism.