Not everything I build is fanciful. Some are quite practical while retaining the essence of a product of imagination. Such is the clock I built as a going-away present for some long time friends.
One of my favorite places to prowl for goodies is the Habitat for Humanity thrift store here in Austin, Texas. One day I found the shell of an electric meter – the type used to monitor electricity used for the purpose of extracting money from customers. It cost a bit, but it was too enticing to pass up.
I started tinkering with the meter shell, trying to find the right thing to put behind the glass, maybe give it some arms and legs to make a big headed roboty thing. But that was not to be.
As part of my scavenger nature (inherited mostly from my father), I had been removing the clock mechanisms from dead coffee makers (you know, the ones which allow you to have freshly brewed coffee ready when you finally crawl out of bed), thinking I could make something with them.
I suppose it’s not necessary to detail what happened next. Clock electronics + meter case = clock in meter case.
A major part of the project involved electronics, which can either go so well you can’t believe it or drag you down various rabbit holes. I eventually ran out of rabbit holes and got the circuit boards, wires, buttons and power supply working.
When it finally arrived at their new home in Ohio, they informed me that it was situated in a place of honor and appreciation.
Shouter to Dead Parrots 