iStock
DCL
Mr. and Ms. Fix-Its the world over have all sorts of old construction materials and power tools kicking around, quietly filling basements and garages after each DIY project or home renovation until a purge is necessary.
Recycling is a great option, that's not the only option. There are tons of reuses for construction materials, and construction restores have popped up to meet market demand.
But when it comes to rusty old saw blades, resist the urge to recycle it and upcycle instead! While those dulled blades are no longer useful for cutting two-by-fours, they can make pretty fantastic contemporary clocks.
What you'll need:
An old, round saw blade
Sand paper
Acrylic paint
Clock parts (available at hobby stores)
Start by sanding any rust off the saw blade, making sure there is no rust left on either side of the blade. Wipe down or wash the blade and dry it thoroughly.
Next you'll need to spray paint the blade to prevent new rust from popping up and to provide a primer for the paint. Even though you're using low-VOC spray paint, it's best to work outside or in your garage to avoid any spraying accidents. (You can bring it inside to fully dry in a well-ventilated area once the paint is no longer tacky.) Spray one side of the blade, letting it sit overnight to dry completely, then repeat for the opposite side.
Once the paint is dry, it's time to get creative. Paint a design on the front with acrylic paint, or with spray paint?just be careful to tape off all areas you don't want covered in each new color of paint if you're using spray paints. If you want any numbers on the clock face, you can either paint them on or draw them on with a permanent marker, like a Sharpie.
Then just affix the working parts (they'll come with instructions), and you're done. If you're feeling particularly crafty, you could use parts from an old clock that works but is, let's say, aesthetically unpleasant.
Cara Smusiak writes on behalf of NaturallySavvy.com about how to live a more natural, organic and green lifestyle.
