Solid wood digital clock
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Explore Community Submit Solid Wood Digital Clock by J_Hodgie on December 5, 2007 Table of Contents intro: Solid Wood Digital Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 step 1: What You Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 step 2: Prepare the Front Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 step 3: Finish the Front Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 step 4: Prepare the Middle Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 step 5: Prepare the Back Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 step 6: Solder the Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 step 7: Start Assembling the Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 step 8: Program the Microcontroller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 step 9: Build the Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 step 10: Finish the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 step 11: How To Use The Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Customized Instructable T-shirts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ intro: Solid Wood Digital Clock How to build a wooden digital clock powered by an atmega168 (arduino) with a built-in alarm and games. I first thought about making this when I saw an LED clock covered by a wood veneer . I liked it when I saw it, until I saw the price. This is when I decided to build my own, I wanted it to build it for much less, from solid wood and play games! Image Notes 1. The clock File Downloads Wooden_Clock.zip (128 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'Wooden_Clock.zip'] wooden plank - Front.pdf (8 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'wooden plank - Front.pdf'] Wooden Plank - Back.pdf (15 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'Wooden Plank - Back.pdf'] http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ step 1: What You Need Materials: - 4, 18" x 4" x 1" wood planks (I went with Maple) - 85 Red LEDs - 85 Green LEDs (Optional) - 1 4 to 16 pin Demiltiplexer - 15 NPN transistors (such a 2N3904) - 1 ATMEGA168 Microcontroller (or Arduino) - 1 20 MHz Crystal - 1 5 Volt Regulator - 2 220uF Capacitors (for power spike leveling) - 1 Old Pocket Radio - 2 1/8" Audio Jacks - 1 5-9V DC wall adapter - 1 (or more) Old Game Controller(s) - 4 3-1/2" Wood Screws - Solid Core Wire (easier to work with) - Solder - Hot Glue Sticks - White Glue - Sand paper For the game controller I use an Atari 2600 joystick (or even paddle if you re-program), but it is also compatible with with a Sega Master System Controllers, Atari 7800 joysticks (theoretically) or even Sega Genesis Controllers. Tools: - Drill press - Flat End Hobby Tool Bit - Soldering Iron - Hot Glue Gun - Miter Saw Image Notes 1. Pieces of a bunk bed ladder used for test drilling. 2. Don't forget these step 2: Prepare the Front Board Take the best piece of the 1"x4"x1-1/2' board and choose the best side to be the front of the clock. Try to avoid any knots or visible defects in the wood because they will make it infinitely harder to drill the LED holes. Start by printing out the template attached to this step at a 1:1 scale. Tape it to the back side of the front board, so the good side is facing down when the print-out is facing up. Take the front board and place it template side up on top of the worst looking board. Then put that on the drill press. Take a drill bit slightly larger than the flat-ended hobby bit and adjust the depth gauge so that the tip is just 0.8-1mm above the lower board, this is so it doesn't go all of the way through the front board. I strongly suggest using a test board first to see if it works. Drill at least 10 test holes (they will be used later!). A strong light should be able to shine through where the tip of the drill ended. Drill one hole in each of the circles on the template as in the picture below. http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Image Notes 1. not seen here is the worst looking board to protect the better surface from the drill press. Image Notes 1. Some Test holes File Downloads wooden plank - Front.pdf (8 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'wooden plank - Front.pdf'] step 3: Finish the Front Board This step is very challenging, the point of it is to use the hobby tool bit to make the hole ends flat so the light shines through evenly. Start by putting the hobby tool bit in the drill press (make sure to leave over 1" out of the chuck). On a safety note, this is not how the bit is designed to be used, and is a hazard, so be extra careful. Adjust the depth gauge so the bit is barely above the lower board as in the 3rd picture. Line the bit up with a test hole and gently hold down for 1 second and let up. Hold it down for 1 second again then let up and turn the drill off. The drill is turned off so you can scrape any build-up off of the bottom of the bit. If you don't, it will burn the hole making the face discoloured. Repeat this until you are happy with how much light shines through (see pictures below for a reference). Once you are comfortable with drilling the holes, move on to the final piece of wood and drill out each hole. Be warned that this takes patience, don't rush it or you may burn out a hole and have to restart. Image Notes 1. A hole that burnt out 2. The reason to clean the bit 3. I later destroyed this board enlarging the holes to fit the LEDs, and the one after it. Image Notes 1. A perfect Hole! 2. I widened them at the top to fit 2 LEDs (see step 6) http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Image Notes 1. Not touching! Image Notes 1. Before 2. After 3. If you're curious, it's part of an old bunk-bed ladder Image Notes 1. Some Test holes Image Notes 1. Part way through step 4: Prepare the Middle Boards This step prepares the middle boards to accommodate the electronics. If you messed up in the last step, the wood isn't lost, use it here! For this step, all you need to do is cut a hole in each of the middle boards slightly larger than the size of the LED matrix, so all of the wires and electronics fit inside. I did this by drilling out the remaining supports of a failed front board and using a chisel to clean it up. Repeat this for as many boards as you wish, I used 2. http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Image Notes 1. A failed attempt Image Notes 1. Drilled out Image Notes 1. Cleaned up 2. Sharp! Be careful! step 5: Prepare the Back Board For this step use the attached template to drill and carve out the holes for the DB9 connector used for the controller, and the 2 1/8" audio jacks used for power and the radio. To carve the controller port, drill out the inner line on the template. Next, carve the outer part of the template 10 mm deep using a chisel (be careful for this step, it's sharp). To drill out the holes for the 1/8" jacks, start by drilling a hole just large enough for the end of the audio jack to fit into. Next drill a larger hole from the inside of the board to within 3mm of the outer surface(this depends on your jack). This allows the end of the jack to sit snugly in the smaller hole with the rest hidden behind the wood. At this point you will want to attach the wires to the power, audio and controller ports. On the controller port, connect the wire from pin 5 to the wire from pin 6 as seen in the last picture. Finally, fasten all of the ports to the back board using hot glue on the inside. http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Image Notes 1. This isn't here, ignore it! Image Notes 1. glue so they can't be pushed in. File Downloads http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Wooden Plank - Back.pdf (15 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'Wooden Plank - Back.pdf'] step 6: Solder the Matrix For this step, place one of each type of the LEDs in each hole so they wedge in place. If you used 2 5mm LEDs like me, then you will need to widen the the holes for the LEDs. Be careful when doing this, the drill bit can catch much easier and pull the board up, poking out the hole. If you used 2 LEDs, then when you insert the LEDs into the holes, place the cathodes in the middle of the hole, so the 2 flat sides meet. To start soldering, first bend all of the cathodes (shorter leads) down so they form 17 columns very close to the board, then solder them together. To solder the anodes together first bend all of one colour's anode up and then bend them horizontally, so there are 5 anode rows for that colour. Bend the other anode colour's leads down and then horizontal, so they form another 5 anode rows. Now solder all of the rows together so there are a total of 10. The final part of this step is to solder wires to the rows and columns for the electronics to hook up to. When choosing the length of wire, run the wire from the row/column to where you want the electronics to be placed and add 5-10cm extra to work with. Image Notes 1. The starting setup (late at night) http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Image Notes 1. Used to test the matrix Image Notes 1. Red anode 2. Green Anode 3. Cathode step 7: Start Assembling the Boards For this step you will need one middle board, the front board and 2 'sacrificial' pieces of wood (they will be noticeably dented). To start, take the white glue and apply it to the front side of the middle board, don't be afraid to apply too much, it its better than too little. Using a finger, wipe the glue evenly across the whole side and stick it on the back side of the front board (see the pictures for more clarification). To make a strong bond, place one piece of 'sacrificial' wood on either side of the now glued pieces and clamp it together (be sure to align it quickly, because it dries fast). To make the best seal, clamp it with everything you have (see second picture below), but be careful not to break the wood or poke out the LED holes. http://www.instructables.com/id/Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Image Notes 1. I did insert the LEDs before I glued Image Notes 1. one way to get the boards to lie flat without a planer 2. The outer boards will have large dents in them Image Notes 1. Not enough yet step 8: Program the Microcontroller This step may sound simple, but it can be vary confusing is not done properly. I loaded the program onto the atmega168 by using an avrisp mk II to circumvent the bootloader on most chips used with Arduino. This is because I wanted an instant startup, and it also allows for more program space(although, not much). To do this, there are good resources here, here and here to burn a bootloader. In place of the bootloader just use the .hex file found in the applet folder of the arduino sketch folder (which is the one I have attached to this step and the introduction). To change any aspects of the file, I have also included all of the commented code, just click 'upload to board' (you will get an error unless you have an arduino plugged in) to re-compile and the .hex file will change to the new code. Odds are that your crystal won't be exactly 20.0Mhz, so it will need to be calibrated to keep accurate time. To do this, just change the oneMin variable in the code, mine is 60116. The clock speed is currently compiled to run at 20 MHz. To change it you will need to change some numbers in the arduino preferences and board definition files, as found here. [...]... tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'Wooden Clock Schematic - Small.pdf'] Wooden Clock Schematic - Large.pdf (442 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'Wooden Clock Schematic - Large.pdf'] Wooden Clock Schematic.ms10 (627 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'Wooden Clock Schematic.ms10'] step 10: Finish the Clock For this step, clamp all of... wood substitute covered by a veneer, It is all wood If you check, solid wood tables or furniture are also made up of boards glued together threecheersfornick says: Dec 28, 2007 10:58 AM REPLY Yes, the wood is solid, but what I meant was that the clock has electrical components inside it, so it's not purely a block of wood, as solid would imply thewoodcarver says: Dec 29, 2007 1:50 AM REPLY Then a wooden... station when turned on http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid- Wood- Digital- Clock/ Image Notes 1 Starting to install Image Notes 1 Testing File Downloads http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid- Wood- Digital- Clock/ 74HC_HCT154_6 demultiplexer.pdf (131 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see tmp as the file ext, rename it to '74HC_HCT154_6 demultiplexer.pdf'] Wooden Clock Schematic - Small.pdf (110 KB) [NOTE: When... it's two pieces now, right? J_Hodgie says: Dec 29, 2007 3:49 PM REPLY Now you're just being silly Is a solid wood dresser not solid wood because it has drawers? thewoodcarver says: Solid or not it is still a damn fine piece of work view all 76 comments http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid- Wood- Digital- Clock/ Dec 29, 2007 5:54 PM REPLY ... the schematic http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid- Wood- Digital- Clock/ Ssly says: Jan 16, 2008 10:15 PM REPLY Agree and I would be pleased to get a schematic J_Hodgie says: Jan 29, 2008 6:43 AM REPLY The schematic for the clock is now up in step 9, Let me know if it is unclear tatagatha says: Jan 3, 2008 1:14 PM REPLY Awesome I'm also a big fan of the wood clocks I really like the game addition I've... wooden chain I carve wouldn't be one piece of wood ? Very nice work on the clock J !! threecheersfornick says: Dec 29, 2007 11:52 AM REPLY It would be made of a single piece of wood, which was broken down into smaller pieces; so, it would be a number of small, solid pieces of wood I mean, when you cut a 2x4 in half, it all used to be the same piece of wood, but it isn't any more it's two pieces now,... are done! Image Notes 1 I installed the power and audio later 2 Next time, I might leave more working room over here 3 To be removed http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid- Wood- Digital- Clock/ Image Notes 1 Testing step 11: How To Use The Clock To set the time, push and hold the button for 3 seconds, the screen should go black To change the flashing number, push up and down To switch between numbers push... you think Image Notes 1 A selection of controllers that will work 2 Wireless Atari 2600 joystick! Image Notes 1 The clock Image Notes 1 the alarm title screen Image Notes 1 the player selection after the pong title has been displayed http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid- Wood- Digital- Clock/ Image Notes 1 Pong, in-game fascinating? no? Image Notes 1 Maze title screen Image Notes 1 level 1, you are the... microcontroller needs to have a 10kOhm resistor (or around there) with one end connected to the pin and the other to +5V, this is so it doesn't reset randomly http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid- Wood- Digital- Clock/ Ssly says: Jan 3, 2008 2:45 AM REPLY If I got this right i have to get these: -1 4 to 16 pin Demultiplexer -5 NPN transistors (Because I'm going to have 5 anode rows, am i right?) -1 ATMEGA168... a form of serial communication The ATMEGA168 should be available there If not, you could probably order it online from overseas junniver says: Thanks J_Hodgie http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid- Wood- Digital- Clock/ Jun 22, 2008 3:12 AM REPLY Kactapuss says: Jan 1, 2008 1:53 PM REPLY http://www.suck.uk.com/product.php?rangeID=41 agent says: Sep 30, 2008 7:12 PM REPLY lol 100 euros and not a SINGLE . inside. http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Image Notes 1. This isn't here, ignore it! Image Notes 1. glue so they can't be pushed in. File Downloads http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Wooden. on. http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ Image Notes 1. Starting to install Image Notes 1. Testing File Downloads http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ 74HC_HCT154_6. the file ext, rename it to 'Wooden Plank - Back.pdf'] http://www.instructables.com/id /Solid-Wood-Digital-Clock/ step 1: What You Need Materials: - 4, 18" x 4" x 1" wood