“TAP INTO TIME” - Maple Clock
While in Vermont, I spent a bit of time in various Sugar Shacks. A sugar shack, also known as sap house, sugar house, sugar shanty or sugar cabin is a semi-commercial establishment. Sugar shacks are small cabins or groups of cabins where sap is collected from sugar maple trees and is boiled into maple syrup. Then sent to bottlers.
Being an amateur woodwork my mind started to wander about how cool it would be to recycle the maple trees once they have been felled.
I checked with several live-edge wood suppliers and found that when a tree is felled it is recycled for various projects. Uses are: Lumber, table slabs, turning blocks and also 2-3” thick cross-section slabs. I found several cross-section slabs with the markings of where the maple syrup sap spouts (also called spiles) were pounded into the tree. (Indicated on photos). Using the markings, I decided that a wall clock would be an appropriate use of the Maple Tree Slab. It would also be a reminder of the Vermont Maple Syrup industry.
Being an amateur woodwork my mind started to wander about how cool it would be to recycle the maple trees once they have been felled.
I checked with several live-edge wood suppliers and found that when a tree is felled it is recycled for various projects. Uses are: Lumber, table slabs, turning blocks and also 2-3” thick cross-section slabs. I found several cross-section slabs with the markings of where the maple syrup sap spouts (also called spiles) were pounded into the tree. (Indicated on photos). Using the markings, I decided that a wall clock would be an appropriate use of the Maple Tree Slab. It would also be a reminder of the Vermont Maple Syrup industry.
Supplies
1. Large 14” diameter (approx.) maple tree cross-section slab. (Obtained at: The Tree House - 1891 Williston Rd Ste 23, South Burlington, VT 05403).
2. Clock mechanism
3. Sap spouts (spiles) (4) four.
4. Orbital sanding discs (80,120,220 grit)
5. Finishing oil
6. Wood glue - Titebond ultimate glue
7. Maple wood saw-dust and shavings
8. CA adhesive glue
9. Metal hanger for finished clock.
EQUIPMENT & TOOLS ⚒️
1. Orbital Sander
2. Plunge Router with 1/2” dia. square bit
3. Carpenter’s Square & pencil ✏️
4. 1” wood Chisel
5. Wood coffee stirring sticks
6. Drill and ass’t wood bits
7. Adjustable wrench for assembly of clock works.
2. Clock mechanism
3. Sap spouts (spiles) (4) four.
4. Orbital sanding discs (80,120,220 grit)
5. Finishing oil
6. Wood glue - Titebond ultimate glue
7. Maple wood saw-dust and shavings
8. CA adhesive glue
9. Metal hanger for finished clock.
EQUIPMENT & TOOLS ⚒️
1. Orbital Sander
2. Plunge Router with 1/2” dia. square bit
3. Carpenter’s Square & pencil ✏️
4. 1” wood Chisel
5. Wood coffee stirring sticks
6. Drill and ass’t wood bits
7. Adjustable wrench for assembly of clock works.
PREPARE THE MAPLE SLAB
NOTE THE PHOTO SHOWING THE MARKINGS FROM OLD TAPS IN PRIOR YEARS. ( Purple Dots).
1. Preparation of the slab involves filling in the gaps between the bark and the solid wood.
2. For this you need to make wood filler by combining maple sawdust/chips with wood glue. See photo.
- make a mound of sawdust and chips
- place wood glue atop of sawdust
- mix with wood stirrer to a paste
consistency.
3. Press the wood filler paste into the gaps. Fill the gaps from both sides of the Maple slab. Any excess will be sanded on finish.
4. Wait 24 hours for filler to harden.
5. Insert CA glue in hairline cracks and wait to dry.
1. Preparation of the slab involves filling in the gaps between the bark and the solid wood.
2. For this you need to make wood filler by combining maple sawdust/chips with wood glue. See photo.
- make a mound of sawdust and chips
- place wood glue atop of sawdust
- mix with wood stirrer to a paste
consistency.
3. Press the wood filler paste into the gaps. Fill the gaps from both sides of the Maple slab. Any excess will be sanded on finish.
4. Wait 24 hours for filler to harden.
5. Insert CA glue in hairline cracks and wait to dry.
PREPPING THE MAPLE SLAB for FINISH
1. Remove the clockworks and set aside.
Protect & Cover from dust.
2. Using 80 grit sanding disc, sand both
sides of the Maple slab. Sand the
filler as well as the surfaces of the
slab.
3. Using the orbital sander, continue
sanding both sides of Maple slab
using the 120 grit then finish sanding
with 220 grit sanding discs.
4. When happy with the smooth surface,
face the front side of the slab towards
you. This is the front face of the
clock.
5. Align the face so that the back square
routed out area aligns squarely with
the 12 and 9 o’clock placement are in
vertical alignment on the clock face of
the slab.
6. I measured 6” from the center to
where I wanted the 12/3/6/9 points on
the clock to be placed.
7. I will be using (4) four Maple sap
spouts (Spiles) as markers for the
12/3/6/9 hour positions. Polished on a
buffing wheel.
8. Drill 5/16” hole approximately 3/8”
deep to mount the spiles.
9. Before tapping the spiles in place, do
a quick final sanding (220 grit) to get
rid of any rough edges from drilling.
NOTE: DO NOT tap the spiles into the
face until the Maple wood disc
has been oiled/finished and dried
Protect & Cover from dust.
2. Using 80 grit sanding disc, sand both
sides of the Maple slab. Sand the
filler as well as the surfaces of the
slab.
3. Using the orbital sander, continue
sanding both sides of Maple slab
using the 120 grit then finish sanding
with 220 grit sanding discs.
4. When happy with the smooth surface,
face the front side of the slab towards
you. This is the front face of the
clock.
5. Align the face so that the back square
routed out area aligns squarely with
the 12 and 9 o’clock placement are in
vertical alignment on the clock face of
the slab.
6. I measured 6” from the center to
where I wanted the 12/3/6/9 points on
the clock to be placed.
7. I will be using (4) four Maple sap
spouts (Spiles) as markers for the
12/3/6/9 hour positions. Polished on a
buffing wheel.
8. Drill 5/16” hole approximately 3/8”
deep to mount the spiles.
9. Before tapping the spiles in place, do
a quick final sanding (220 grit) to get
rid of any rough edges from drilling.
NOTE: DO NOT tap the spiles into the
face until the Maple wood disc
has been oiled/finished and dried
PREPARE THE MAPLE SLAB FOR THE CLOCKWORKS
1. Find the center of the slab for
mounting the clockworks.
2. Mark the horizontal and vertical lines
using the carpenter’s square.
These will also aid in marking the
3,6,9 and 12 hour markings on the
clock face.
3. Drill a 5/16” hole at the center point
through the slab.
4. Transfer the lines from the front to the
rear of the slab.
5. Layout a 2-1/2” x 2-1/2” square using
the lines drawn. This area will be
routed out for placing the clock
mechanism.
6. Drill 13/16” holes 1-1/2” deep at 4
corners.
CHECK AND ADJUST YOUR DEPTH
SO THAT THE STEM OF THE
CLOCK MECHANISM IS
SUFFICIENTLY PROTRUDING
THROUGH THE FACE OF THE
SLAB.
7. Set the router at 1/2” depth and start
at one corner and move router
clockwise to next hole then next until
you complete the rotation. DO NOT try to route out the full depth
of the cavity in one pass. MAPLE is a
hardwood therefore the Router should
be set for 20,000-24,000 RPM.
8. Set the router to 1” depth and repeat
step 7.
9. Set the router to 1-1/2” depth and
repeat step 7.
10. Clean up any rough edges using a 1”
wood chisel and sandpaper.
11. Check the center hole so that the
STEM of the clock mechanism will fit
thru the face of the slab. Measure
the stem diameter of the clock
mechanism you are using. Re-drill to
fit as necessary.
12. Dry fit the clock mechanism. You
may need to route the cavity deeper
so that the stem fits through and is
able to be bolted solid. Follow
instructions provided with clock
mechanism.
13. Remove the clock mechanism and
proceed to next step………⏱
mounting the clockworks.
2. Mark the horizontal and vertical lines
using the carpenter’s square.
These will also aid in marking the
3,6,9 and 12 hour markings on the
clock face.
3. Drill a 5/16” hole at the center point
through the slab.
4. Transfer the lines from the front to the
rear of the slab.
5. Layout a 2-1/2” x 2-1/2” square using
the lines drawn. This area will be
routed out for placing the clock
mechanism.
6. Drill 13/16” holes 1-1/2” deep at 4
corners.
CHECK AND ADJUST YOUR DEPTH
SO THAT THE STEM OF THE
CLOCK MECHANISM IS
SUFFICIENTLY PROTRUDING
THROUGH THE FACE OF THE
SLAB.
7. Set the router at 1/2” depth and start
at one corner and move router
clockwise to next hole then next until
you complete the rotation. DO NOT try to route out the full depth
of the cavity in one pass. MAPLE is a
hardwood therefore the Router should
be set for 20,000-24,000 RPM.
8. Set the router to 1” depth and repeat
step 7.
9. Set the router to 1-1/2” depth and
repeat step 7.
10. Clean up any rough edges using a 1”
wood chisel and sandpaper.
11. Check the center hole so that the
STEM of the clock mechanism will fit
thru the face of the slab. Measure
the stem diameter of the clock
mechanism you are using. Re-drill to
fit as necessary.
12. Dry fit the clock mechanism. You
may need to route the cavity deeper
so that the stem fits through and is
able to be bolted solid. Follow
instructions provided with clock
mechanism.
13. Remove the clock mechanism and
proceed to next step………⏱
FINISHING THE MAPLE WOOD CLOCK SLAB
1. Wipe off all dust.
2. Pour and rub finish oil onto all of the
surfaces including the bark and let sit
for 30 minutes. I find that the longer it
sits the deeper the finish. (About 1-2
hours).
3. Using a clean towel wipe off excess
oil.
4. Use another clean towel to buff the
finish.
OPTION:
Use a 2 part epoxy to finish the top
surface of the clock. This will create
a shiny surface. Follow instructions
provided with product.
2. Pour and rub finish oil onto all of the
surfaces including the bark and let sit
for 30 minutes. I find that the longer it
sits the deeper the finish. (About 1-2
hours).
3. Using a clean towel wipe off excess
oil.
4. Use another clean towel to buff the
finish.
OPTION:
Use a 2 part epoxy to finish the top
surface of the clock. This will create
a shiny surface. Follow instructions
provided with product.
INSTALL CLOCKWORKS AND SPILES
1. After the slab dries; tap the spiles into
the 4 “hour” indicator holes.
2. Follow installations instructions for
installing the clock mechanism.
3. Tighten down the holdown washer
and nut onto the clock post.
4. Install the hour, minute and second hands as instructed. I set the hands for 6 o’clock to make sure the hands work without interfering with each other.
5. Install battery and keep track of its performance. You may have to adjust the hands slightly.
6. Nail a hook onto the back of the slab for hanging your one of a kind AUTHENTIC MAPLE SAP SLAB CLOCK.
7. Don’t forget to glue on the penny for good measure.
E N J O Y
the 4 “hour” indicator holes.
2. Follow installations instructions for
installing the clock mechanism.
3. Tighten down the holdown washer
and nut onto the clock post.
4. Install the hour, minute and second hands as instructed. I set the hands for 6 o’clock to make sure the hands work without interfering with each other.
5. Install battery and keep track of its performance. You may have to adjust the hands slightly.
6. Nail a hook onto the back of the slab for hanging your one of a kind AUTHENTIC MAPLE SAP SLAB CLOCK.
7. Don’t forget to glue on the penny for good measure.
E N J O Y
THOUGHTS
Always remember that nature provides us Maple Sap by tapping into the Maple Tree. Once the tree has exhausted it’s usefulness, we must recycle ♻️ all its parts as best we know how.
Making furniture, toys and usable products. In this Instructable I recycled a Maple Tree Wood Slab disc as a Clock. It will be in our family for years to come.
Use your imagination for other uses.
RECYCLE, ENJOY and BUILD
Making furniture, toys and usable products. In this Instructable I recycled a Maple Tree Wood Slab disc as a Clock. It will be in our family for years to come.
Use your imagination for other uses.
RECYCLE, ENJOY and BUILD