This article was taken from the August 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Do you have an old hard drive that's either broken or hopelessly outdated? Why not recycle its internal platter into a stunningly nerdy hard-drive platter clock?
Collect your parts and tools
You will need: a three-inch hard-drive that is either broken or that you don't mind being destroyed; a clock kit bought from a hobby shop; a small Torx-bit screwdriver (or more destructive means) to get the cover off the hard drive.
Prepare your components
Unscrew the drive's case. (Some hard drives have screws hidden under a piece of foil that is easily cut and circumvented.) Once the cover is off, unscrew the platter from the central spindle. Make sure you move the read head out of the way.
Asemble the clock
The clock kit should easily screw on to the inside of the platter.
The middle hole may be too big, so a large washer, or the spindle attachment piece, may be needed for a snug fit. Centre the clock and align the hands so they come together at 12:00.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
