DIY Geeky Clocks: Settlers of Catan & Magic the Gathering
Today’s DIY nerdy craft tutorial will cover how to make your own geeky wall clock. My two clock examples are Settlers of Catan and Magic the Gathering themed, but this easy project can be customized for your favorite fandom too! Keep reading to find out more about how to make these fun fandom clocks.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Magic the Gathering Clock Materials:
- Clock movement mechanism
- Clock hands (May come with your mechanism. I purchased separate, larger ones for my builds)
- Clock base (I used a 10″ wooden disk)
- Clock “time indicators” (I used D20 dice)
- E6000 glue
- Drill (with bit size equal to the size needed for your clock movement mechanism)
- Paint, stain, glue, iron-on transfer paper, or whatever you want to decorate your clock base
Instructions:
1. Find the center of your clock base and drill a hole to insert the clock movement mechanism through.
2. Decorate your clock base if you don’t plan on leaving it ‘natural.’ You could stain it, paint it, glue and seal scrapbook paper using Modge Podge, engrave it, or use an iron-on transfer like I did.
*I forgot to take photos of my iron-on process, but I followed the sames steps I took in my Lord of the Rings Tote Bag and Geeky Love Quote Collage tutorials. Check them out if you need further insight into the iron-on process. Using this method on wood creates a rustic (not-quite-perfect) effect.
1. Find the center of your clock base and drill a hole to insert the clock movement mechanism through.
2. Decorate your clock base if you don’t plan on leaving it ‘natural.’ You could stain it, paint it, glue and seal scrapbook paper using Modge Podge, engrave it, or use an iron-on transfer like I did.
*I forgot to take photos of my iron-on process, but I followed the sames steps I took in my Lord of the Rings Tote Bag and Geeky Love Quote Collage tutorials. Check them out if you need further insight into the iron-on process. Using this method on wood creates a rustic (not-quite-perfect) effect.
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3. Measure out even intervals and add your number time indicators.
*Note, if your time indicators are not flat, like mine, make sure your clock hands are short enough so that they’ll still have free range of movement around the clock face.
I used D20 dice collected from various Magic the Gathering set prereleases. We have so many at our house, I figured it’d be a good use for a handful of them, plus it’s a great way to highlight them. I would recommend E6000 as a glue option.
*Note, if your time indicators are not flat, like mine, make sure your clock hands are short enough so that they’ll still have free range of movement around the clock face.
I used D20 dice collected from various Magic the Gathering set prereleases. We have so many at our house, I figured it’d be a good use for a handful of them, plus it’s a great way to highlight them. I would recommend E6000 as a glue option.
4. Assemble your clock movement mechanism with your clock base by following the package instructions.
Suggestions!
Don’t have dice or want to highlight a different fandom? Use different items for your number indicators:
-Lego blocks or Lego mini figures
-Small mosaic tiles in the shape of Tetris pieces
-Small collectible figures or other board game pieces
Don’t have dice or want to highlight a different fandom? Use different items for your number indicators:
-Lego blocks or Lego mini figures
-Small mosaic tiles in the shape of Tetris pieces
-Small collectible figures or other board game pieces
Settlers of Catan Clock Materials:
- 5-6 Player Settlers of Catan expansion
- Clock base (I used a foam-core poster board)
- Clock movement mechanism
- Clock hands
- Box Cutter
- E6000 glue
Instructions:
1. Pick your 7 tiles, arrange them together, then trace and cutout (I used a box cutter) the shape in your clock base material.
2. Glue your tiles onto your clock base, then drill a hole through the center for your clock movement mechanism.
3. Measure and space out your number tiles, then glue in place (E6000 glue). I used an extra robber playing piece I had for the number 7 and a city piece for the number 1. You could also utilize the extra, blank number tiles or dice for these “time indicator” spots.
4. Assemble your clock movement mechanism with the clock base.
1. Pick your 7 tiles, arrange them together, then trace and cutout (I used a box cutter) the shape in your clock base material.
2. Glue your tiles onto your clock base, then drill a hole through the center for your clock movement mechanism.
3. Measure and space out your number tiles, then glue in place (E6000 glue). I used an extra robber playing piece I had for the number 7 and a city piece for the number 1. You could also utilize the extra, blank number tiles or dice for these “time indicator” spots.
4. Assemble your clock movement mechanism with the clock base.
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There you have it! A nerdy afternoon craft project that results in a beautifully geeky time piece. What do you guys think? Do you plan on making your own fandom themed clock? Let me know in the comments which fandom you plan on using; whether it’s Settlers of Catan, Magic the Gathering, or something else entirely!
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Showing 16 comments
These are fabulous!
Thank you Kay -I had a lot of fun making them!
I have been trying to come up with an awesome, nerdy clock to make for ages, I have one of those boring cheapy clocks that we bought 9 years ago and it doesn’t even work properly anymore.
I didn’t want an obvious one that has been done over and over and your Settlers of Catan clock is amazing. Best idea I have seen so far, tempted to do that one now.
Woot! Haha -glad I could provide some awesome inspiration for you Chrissie. Have fun making your clock!
These are amazing! I know quite a few people who would really appreciate that Settlers of Catan clock, maybe I should try to get crafty=P
The Settlers of Catan clock really is super easy to make -mostly gluing! They even make small, non-intimidating drills for people to easily use these days too.
Wow this is awesome!! I am going to give a try!
xoxo
dePepi.com
Awesome -have fun Pepi!
These are awesome! I’ve had a clock mechanism lying around for years, because I tried (and failed, hehe) to make my own wooden clock – maybe I should use it for something like this instead?
That sounds perfect Rosa -you pretty much have all the pieces you need it sounds like -now to decide your fandom 😉
Unique and fun!.Great gift idea.
Yes to all of the above! 🙂
If you’re not the crafty type, my wife has been selling catan clocks for nearly 5 years on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/107301429/settlers-of-catan-board-game-clock (There’s a 5th edition clock in her store too, if that’s more your style)
Thanks for sharing Chris. Not everyone is crafty and there’s nothing wrong with that 🙂
What size clock movement did you use for the Catan clock? I’m wanting to make some for relatives and tried searching for the clocks sets and I’m a bit overwhelmed with the size options lol. For sizing I’m wondering about shaft size and hand sizes. Any info would be helpful. Thanks!
Hi Manda. Unfortunately I do not remember and I don’t have the clock handy for measurements. I had purchased my clock parts from the local craft store and they only had 1 size in stock when I bought. What I would recommend is to work backwards. Put together your clock circle base/background. Once you know how big that is (not sure if you plan to follow the one I made exactly or not), pick clock hands that are an appropriate size for that base –just measure from the center out to find what you think is an appropriate length. Hopefully this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions!