This project was built and designed by Jonny from Jonny Builds. It’s a creative way to turn standard 2×4 lumber into a striking wall clock with a Southwest-inspired design.
The build is simple enough for beginners but detailed enough to sharpen core woodworking skills. With clean angles, contrasting stains, and a functional clock mechanism, the result is a stylish piece of wall art that also tells time.
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Why This Clock Project Stands Out
This wall clock design transforms scrap or leftover 2x4s into a bold, geometric pattern. The overall shape is simple, but the angles and stain work give it a unique look that feels both rustic and modern.
Because the materials are inexpensive and the cuts are straightforward, this project is approachable for almost anyone. It’s also highly customizable—you can tweak the pattern, size, or finish to match your style.
Milling and Preparing the 2x4s
The project begins by flattening and squaring the 2×4 boards. Jonny uses a jointer and planer to get all the wood to a uniform thickness, which is essential for a clean glue-up later.
After milling, each board is cut into equal lengths. These will form the repeating angled segments of the geometric face. Keeping everything uniform at this stage makes the pattern much easier to assemble.
Cutting the Geometric Pattern
Jonny uses a miter saw set to 45 degrees to cut the pieces in alternating angles. To save time and ensure accuracy, he cuts the pieces in mirrored pairs and stacks cuts together when possible.
Before gluing anything, all the pieces are dry-fitted to make sure the pattern comes together correctly. Small adjustments are made as needed to keep the angles tight and the layout aligned.
Applying a Homemade Vinegar Stain
To create a rich, aged look, Jonny uses a homemade vinegar stain made by soaking steel wool in vinegar. This mixture reacts with the wood and deepens the color over time.
The main panel pieces are stained heavily, giving them a darker, more dramatic tone. The frame, on the other hand, gets a lighter application for contrast, which helps define the shape of the finished clock.
Gluing and Clamping the Panel
The individual pieces are glued edge to edge to form a solid panel. Because of the angles, clamping alone could cause pieces to shift—so Jonny uses a bit of CA glue to tack the parts in place quickly before clamping the whole panel together.
The full assembly is left to dry overnight, ensuring strong bonds across all joints. Once cured, the panel behaves like a single piece, making it easy to trim and frame.
Building and Attaching the Frame
Jonny uses offcuts from earlier projects to build a mitered frame around the clock. Each frame piece is cut using a miter sled, and the corners are numbered and alternated for precision.
To match the rest of the design, the frame is also stained with the vinegar solution, but only briefly to keep the tone lighter than the main face. The pieces are glued in place and reinforced with brad nails for extra strength.
Installing the Clock Mechanism
A Forstner bit is used to bore a recess in the center of the panel for the clock movement. Jonny then chisels the remaining material to flatten the bottom of the recess so the mechanism sits flush.
Clock hands are installed through the front, and a single AA battery powers the unit. On the back, Jonny adds screw-in hangers and attaches braided picture wire to allow easy mounting on a wall.
Small Details That Make a Difference
Several thoughtful touches give this build a polished look. Using CA glue to hold angled pieces in place during glue-up saves time and reduces frustration. Numbering the frame cuts and staining the pieces separately ensures color consistency and clean corners.
Jonny also demonstrates how to use simple tools like a speed square and clamps to improve accuracy without needing a full workshop setup. These small steps add up to a clean and professional finish.
A Fun and Functional Build
This geometric wall clock is an ideal project for woodworkers who want to try something different. It combines the satisfaction of layout work, precision cuts, and careful glue-ups with a final product that’s both decorative and useful.
It’s also a great way to practice pattern assembly, stain application, and frame construction—all with basic materials and shop tools.
Please support Jonny by checking out his website here: https://www.jonny-builds.com/.