This free plan builds an 11 in. round wall clock from one pine 1 × 12, a short 1 × 2 and a dowel, with a quartz clock movement. The post gives the full cut list, a cutting diagram, the hour marker layout, how to choose the movement and step-by-step assembly diagrams. You can also download the plan as a printable PDF, with no sign-up.
The face is cut as a circle from an 11-1/4 in. square. Twelve dowel plugs mark the hours, and two spacers on the back hold the clock off the wall so the movement clears it. Clocks make good gifts and sell well at craft fairs, and several can be made at once.
Wood Clock Plans at a Glance
| Size | 11 in. across, 1-1/2 in. deep from the wall |
|---|---|
| Wood | One 1 × 12 × 2 ft. and one 1 × 2 × 2 ft. pine board, and a 1/2 in. hardwood dowel |
| Movement | Quartz movement for dials up to 3/4 in. thick, with a minute hand about 4-1/4 in. long |
| Skill level | Beginner |
| Build time | About 2 hours of work, plus finish time (estimate) |
| Finish | Clear finish, stain or paint |
Choosing the Clock Movement
- Dial thickness. The face is 3/4 in. thick, so buy a movement listed for dials up to 3/4 in. Suppliers include 1/8 in. for the washer and nut in that figure (Klockit).
- Centre hole. Common movements have a 5/16 in. threaded shaft. A 3/8 in. hole gives a little room.
- Hands. For a 10 to 12 in. clock, Esslinger suggests hands between 4 and 6 in. A minute hand about 4-1/4 in. long reaches the markers on this face.
- Depth. A standard movement case is about 2-7/32 in. square and 5/8 in. deep. The 3/4 in. spacers keep it 1/8 in. off the wall. Use thicker spacers if your movement is deeper.
Tools You Need
- Tape measure, square, pencil and a thin stick for a trammel
- Jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade, or a band saw
- Drill with 3/32 in. and 3/8 in. bits, and a 1/2 in. Forstner or brad-point bit
- Small handsaw for the dowel
- Two clamps to hold the board while you cut
- Sandpaper in 80, 120, 180 and 220 grit, and a sanding block or sander
- Safety glasses and hearing protection
Follow the instructions that came with your tools, and see our woodworking safety rules. Our post on portable power saws covers jigsaws.
Materials and Hardware
| Item | Actual size | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 × 12 × 2 ft. board, pine | 3/4 × 11-1/4 in. | 1 |
| 1 × 2 × 2 ft. board, pine | 3/4 × 1-1/2 in. | 1 |
| 1/2 in. hardwood dowel, 3 ft. | 1/2 in. diameter | 1 |
| Quartz clock movement for dials up to 3/4 in. thick, with hands | — | 1 |
| AA battery (check your movement) | — | 1 |
| No. 6 × 1-1/4 in. flat-head wood screws | — | 4 |
| Sawtooth hanger with nails | — | 1 |
| Wood glue | — | 1 small bottle |
Choose a flat 1 × 12 with no cracks near the middle. A knot can look good on a clock face if it is tight. Our guide on where to buy wood covers boards and suppliers.
Cut List
All sizes are in inches. The letter matches the drawings.
| Part | Name | Qty | Thickness | Width | Length | Stock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Clock face | 1 | 3/4 | 11 | 11 | 1 × 12 | 11 in. circle cut from an 11-1/4 in. square. |
| B | Back spacer | 2 | 3/4 | 1-1/2 | 6 | 1 × 2 | Above and below the movement. |
| C | Hour marker plug | 12 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 in. dowel | 1/2 in. dowel, glued into 3/8 in. deep holes. |
Cutting Diagram
How the Parts Fit Together
Drawings With Dimensions
The markers sit on a 4-1/2 in. radius, 30° apart. The spacers sit 2-1/4 in. above and below the centre, with the movement between them.
How to Build the Wood Clock, Step by Step
Step 1: Cut the Blank and the Spacers
Trim 1 in. off the end of the 1 × 12, then cut an 11-1/4 in. square. From the 1 × 2, cut two spacers (B), 6 in. long. Choose the better face of the square for the front.
Step 2: Find the Centre
Draw both diagonals across the front of the square. Where they cross is the centre of the clock. Press a nail lightly into the centre point.
Step 3: Mark the Circle and the Hours
Drill two small holes in a thin stick, 5-1/2 in. apart. Put the stick on the centre nail and a pencil in the other hole, and draw the 11 in. circle. Move the pencil to 4-1/2 in. and draw a second, lighter circle for the markers. Draw a line through the centre parallel to one edge, then mark the hours every 30° where the lines cross the inner circle. A protractor helps here. Cut the circle with a jigsaw, staying just outside the line, and sand to the line.
Step 4: Drill the Holes
Clamp the face to scrap wood. Drill a 3/8 in. hole through the centre for the movement shaft. Drill the twelve marker holes 1/2 in. wide and 3/8 in. deep: wrap tape around the bit as a depth mark.
Step 5: Glue in the Hour Markers
Cut twelve 1/2 in. plugs from the dowel. Put a small dab of glue in each hole and tap a plug in. When the glue is dry, sand the plugs flush with the face, then sand the whole face with 120, 180 and 220 grit. Round the front edge slightly.
Step 6: Fit the Spacers and Hanger
Lay the clock face down on a towel. Glue the spacers across the back, 2-1/4 in. above and below the centre. Drill 3/32 in. pilot holes and drive two No. 6 × 1-1/4 in. screws through each spacer. Nail the sawtooth hanger to the middle of the top spacer. Apply your finish now, before the movement goes in.
Step 7: Fit the Movement and Hands
Fit the rubber washer on the movement shaft and push the shaft through the centre hole from the back. Add the brass washer and nut on the front and tighten by hand. Set the hour and minute hands both pointing to 12, press them on, then add the second hand. Fit the battery and set the time.
Finish Options
- Clear finish: two coats of wipe-on polyurethane or a hardwax oil show the grain and the dowel markers.
- Stain: stain the face before you glue the plugs, so the markers stay a contrasting colour.
- Paint: paint the face and leave the markers bare, or paint the markers in one colour.
Our wood finishing post covers sanding and finishes in more detail.
Selling This Wood Clock
- State the diameter, the wood, the finish and the movement type (silent sweep or ticking).
- Say which battery it takes and whether it is included.
- Pack the clock with the hands protected, or ship the hands loose with fitting notes.
- Offer a choice of finishes, marker woods or a personalised face.
Work out your price from your wood, movement, finish, time and selling fees. See how to set the final selling price on your craft and how to sell woodworking projects. For more items to make, see the top 10 woodcrafts to sell.
Download the Printable Wood Clock Plan
The PDF has 9 pages on US Letter paper. It includes the cut list, the cutting diagram, every drawing in this post and the assembly steps. It is free, with no sign-up.
Download the wood clock plan (PDF)
Build status: plan checked by calculation; not yet test-built. Facts checked: November 2026.
Sources
- Klockit, Continuous Sweep Quartz Clock Movement listing (case 2-7/32 in. square × 5/8 in. deep; 5/16 in. shaft)
- Klockit, Quartz Movement Specifications (maximum dial thickness includes 1/8 in. for mounting hardware)
- Esslinger, Choosing the Correct Clock Movement Shaft Size When Making a Clock
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