Foghorn Leghorn Clock – Ikea Besta Hack

And now for something completely different! When we didn’t have enough wall space for a clock in the Mancave, it didn’t stop us. We built a Foghorn Leghorn clock right into the door of our IKEA Besta TV stand!

During the long winter months we grab videos from the library and hunker down for some marathon TV watching on Sunday mornings. One day Hubs came home with a series of Looney Toons cartoons – famous for characters such as Bugs Bunny (who even has a start on the walk of fame!), Porky Pig, Marvin the Martian and Foghorn Leghorn.

As we make our way through the Loony Toon classics, I can’t help but marvel that Mel Blanc voiced all of our beloved characters. How could one man do that and still be able to make each character sound distinctive? I’m in awe of his talent!

A Memorable Catch Phrase

Hubs is a huge Foghorn Leghorn fan and has one of those minds that remembers movie lines and catch phrases (me, not so much!). So he was on the look-out for the episode where Foghorn Leghorn looses his feathers. Did you ever see that one? If not, here’s a 9-second clip where you’ll hear Hubs’ favourite Foghorn catchphrase.

The minute we found that part in the cartoon I had an epiphany about immortalizing it in a clock for Hubs so he could enjoy it every time he wanted to know the time!

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You will need:

  • An entertainment unit. If you have an Ikea unit like us, purchase a spare door if you think you’ll ever want to switch it back. Ours is a Besta with Valviken doors.
  • Print company that can print vinyl graphics
  • Clock movement kit with a 3/4″ thread shaft. Purchase one with longer arms.

Hubs is a stickler for testing things out first. So the first order of business was to purchase a similar Ikea door in the as-is section so he could drill a hole and test out the clockworks (which you’ll see later).

Then we measured and removed one of the solid doors on the Ikea unit.

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This is about the extent of Hub’s storage. I tend to monopolize everything out for my craft stash!Build a Foghorn Leghorn clock right into an Ikea Besta cabinet | Birdz of a Feather | foghorn leghorn | foghorn leghorn quotes | foghorn leghorn funny | Ikea hack | Ikea | clocks | clocks diy | upcycle | upcycling | upcycling ideas | upcycled | repurposed | repurposed items | birdzofafeather.ca #upcycle #upcycling #repurposed #ikea #ikeahack

Draw an arrow on the back of the door to indicate the direction that the graphic will be applied on the other side. This is an important step because if you inadvertently apply it upside down, you won’t be able to reinstall the door again. Unless you want to confuse people with an upside down rooster!

Remove the hinges and set them aside. We put all our small parts in Ziploc bags so we don’t lose them then leave the bag in the cabinet (if you can find an empty spot for it)!

Design, Print and Attach

I used Illustrator to design the graphic then saved my file as a PDF. Check with the graphic company you’ll be using to see how they want to receive the file.

I had it printed on a good quality calendared vinyl (3 mil) with a compatible clear overlam (2 mil) to protect the graphic (as an added bonus it can be wiped down if necessary).

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A friend of ours is familiar with affixing digital vinyl prints onto substrates so she helped us apply it to the door. You only have one shot at it so I was thankful for for her expertise. There are a few ways to do it, but she used a top hinge method as demonstrated in this video:

Once we got the cabinet door back, we re-installed the hinges and set the door aside. It’s best to do that before the clock is installed so the clock hands don’t get mangled in the process of getting the hinges back on.

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Open the clock movement kit package and read the directions.

Matched a drill bit to the width of the clock mechanism.

Here’s our drilled hole in our test door.

We tested the clock mechanism out on the practice door…

… but didn’t go further than inserting the spindle.

Drill Set-Up

To drill the hole in the real door, Hubs worked directly on the floor and used some which cardboard pieces to build the height.

Then he added some scrap wood on top of that. This suits two purposes: 1) so we wouldn’t drill through our floor and 2) it keeps the door flat despite the hinges.

We lowered the door onto our drill setup.

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While I was designing the clock, I positioned a hole on the graphic so we’d know where to drill out for the clock mechanism. No measuring!

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Using the mark as a guide, we drilled out the hole.

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Install the Clock Mechanism

The clock mechanism comes with detailed instructions on how to assemble the hands, but if you want to see some work-in-progress pics, check out Hubs’ ​computer hard drive clock (step #11).

Once the clock mechanism and a battery was installed, we turned it over excited to see it tick away. Nothing happened. Guess we should have popped the battery in earlier to make sure it works first (duh)!! It was too late in the day to go out to exchange it.

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We proceeded with mounting the door anyway.

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The next day we replaced the clock mechanism closed the door and stepped back to admire Hubs’ favourite catchphrase! I like how the clock numbers are worked into the feathers that surround Foghorn.

Kinda appropriate for Birdz of a Feather to create a clock that’s all about feathers!

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The clock adds an element of fun in the mancave (not to mention a pop of colour).

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It’s pretty unexpected to see a clock installed in an actual cabinet door! What do you think? Would you ever consider adding a custom clock?

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One of a Kind

Hubs now has a one-of-a-kind clock that brings back fond childhood memories and it didn’t take up any wall space. Best of all he can still access the storage behind it!

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Pinning is always welcome and appreciated!

Build a Foghorn Leghorn clock right into an Ikea Besta cabinet | Birdz of a Feather | foghorn leghorn | foghorn leghorn quotes | foghorn leghorn funny | Ikea hack | Ikea | clocks | clocks diy | upcycle | upcycling | upcycling ideas | upcycled | repurposed | repurposed items | birdzofafeather.ca #upcycle #upcycling #repurposed #ikea #ikeahack

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Other Options for the Graphic

If you don’t want to go the vinyl graphic route, don’t fret! You can also achieve the same idea with a large scale print and decoupage. Just like the medicine cabinet you see below, use a product like Modge Podge to adhere, then Varathane for extra durability.

Learn on a Small Project First

If you’re interested in testing the waters on a small scale project first, check out this decoupage Valentines gift I made for Hubs (paint stick pallet).

For another unique clock, check out this computer hard drive clock that Hubs just completed using an upcycled drive from my old computer:

‘Th..th…that’s all, folks!’


Oh My Goth (Part 2) - Make a Halloween Tombstone | Birdz of a Feather

 

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12 thoughts on “Foghorn Leghorn Clock – Ikea Besta Hack

  1. Awesome clock, I love fog horn leg horn. The ones with the chicken hawk are good too.

    • Thanks Judy! It was fun to watch the old videos and reminisce on the old classics over the winter; it was a great inspiration. But now I’m so ready for summer! I can finally get my fill of gardening.

  2. What a charming way to make a clock. I used to laugh my head off at those cartoons. Thanks for sharing your latest and greatest!

    • Those cartoons still hold their own today; they don’t make ’em like they used to!

  3. This is 100% fabulous. I love it! Very well done. When I was a kid, l loved watch the cartoon of fro horn leg horn, he was so funny. Thanks for the childhood memories

    • Glad we were able to bring back some good memories 🙂

  4. LOL! I knew what Foghorn was going to say before he said it! Can’t remember what I had for breakfast, but the old stuff sticks! Great clock idea and tribute to a classic!!

    • That’s so funny Susan and so true; the old stuff sure does have staying power!

    • Thanks Linda! We love old cartoons; they’re still funny and relevant even today 😊

  5. 😍 this clock brought back lots of memories from when my kids were young. It was one of the few I sat and watched. Really great project.

    • Thanks Anita! I love doing projects that evoke memories :).

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