Make a Salvador Dali Clock

Here's a great way to recycle old records that you don't necessarily want to keep anymore but wouldn't mind having on display as a fun reminder of things once loved.

Steps

  1. Imagine a Salvador Dali style clock in your mind before beginning. This photo is but one representation of his famous "melting" clock style.
  2. Pick out an appropriate record. Choose one that you no longer wish to listen to but that you would continue to enjoy seeing on display. Records that are not collectible and are badly scratched are preferable.
  3. Put your record on a cookie sheet.
  4. Put the record in an oven that has been pre-heated to 200ºF (90ºC). Only leave it in there about 5 minutes.
  5. Take it out after five minutes. It should be nice and soft.
    • Place it somewhere that has a flat edge. Bend down the very top of the record and make it nice and flat. You don't have very much time before it hardens, but you can heat it back up if needed.
  6. (If using a clock kit from a hobby store, skip this step) Pull the clock apart.
    • take off the hands; and
    • pull off the clock mechanism.
  7. Put the clock mechanism on the record. The record already has a hole right in the middle of it and the clock mechanism will fit right through.
    • Use hot glue to secure it to the back of the record.
    • Trim the minute hand and the second hand so that they stay inside the label area.
  8. Drill a small hole at the very top so that you can hang the clock. Add a thread or wire for hanging.
  9. Hang your Salvador Dali clock.

Tips

  • Instead of destroying an old clock, you might purchase a clock-kit for a few dollars at a hobby store, which would include the motor and clock hands.
  • If you don't have any records or aren't ready to part with your collection, most thrift stores and many garage sales have inexpensive records on sale.
  • If you can't get the favorite record, print out and stick a fake label on before melting.
  • If you make this for a friend, ask your friend for a favourite old record that he or she is willing to part with - it will make a great surprise - Just be sure they don't expect it back in playable condition !

Warnings

  • Think before removing the record. The vinyl will begin to melt at approximately 180ºF (80°C) and this is more than hot enough to burn your fingers. You may want to use a spatula or even a large piece of cardboard (don't put the cardboard under the record before putting it in the oven).
  • If you find particularly old records (especially 78 RPM), these records may not be vinyl at all—they may be made of Bakelite, which is heat resistant up to 570°F (300°C). Usually, these records are thicker than vinyl and "chip" easily, so they are fairly easy to recognize. It would be unwise to try to melt these considering the availability of damaged 33 and 45 RPMs.
  • Check the temperature. Burning vinyl in your oven would make a horrible mess and be very dangerous. Be sure you don't set your oven above 200ºF (90°C) by mistake!
  • Even if it doesn't burn, hot vinyl fumes have the potential to be toxic. Ensure that you have adequate ventilation and let the kitchen air out before you make another one!
  • Remove pets and children from the kitchen area to avoid exposure to the fumes.
  • Make sure that your friend will not be upset at the destruction of a favorite old record. Just because they were willing to give it to you does not mean it has no sentimental, and possibly monetary, value. Old vinyl records in Good to Mint condition can be very valuable (up to thousands of dollars) and because of their relative rarity, damaged records are preferred for this project.

Things You'll Need

  • Old record
  • Oven
  • Cookie sheet
  • Cheap clock from hardware store or clock kit from hobby store
  • Drill
  • Hanging cord or hook
  • Hot glue

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Sources and Citations

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