Glashütte Trash Clock
Hardware
pendulum clock
SHOW HN2026
236points
48comments
#214of 4,366 in 2026
Top 5%of 2026 by points
How HN took it
LovedMost comments that take a side are positive
12 positive, 6 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 1 critical, out of 19 comments about the project. Thread score +0.53.
Idea: 5 for, 0 againstDesign: 2 for, 1 againstExecution: 2 for, 0 againstDocs: 1 for, 0 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Clever paperclip escapement and build using trash materials
From 3 comments
the paperclip escapement is genius. how long did it take to get the pendulum period right with cardboard? I'd expect humidity alone to mess with it.
amirkhanian on HNThe NOW/NEVER wheel firing just before the weight hits the floor made me laugh. And 0.4% error from cardboard and paperclips is absurdly good.
bhavyshekhaliya on HNAs art projects go, this one has a lot of charm for me. Plenty of room for allegories (although apparently not the paperclips, haha). Timekeeping in general is a subject with…
slfnflctd on HN
Accuracy impressive for cardboard and paperclips (0.4% error)
From 1 comment
The NOW/NEVER wheel firing just before the weight hits the floor made me laugh. And 0.4% error from cardboard and paperclips is absurdly good.
bhavyshekhaliya on HN
Fun easter egg with paperclips on the page
From 2 comments
Note the paperclips in the margins of the page, as you scroll to the bottom. And how they interact with your mouse cursor. Ingenious! Thank you Roy. You made my day! :)
35634g35gg6g22 on HNA fun little easter egg - I had read it earlier on my iPad, so didn't notice the mouse interaction. I love it, reminds me of acko.net and how each page would have a unique little…
geerlingguy on HN
Objections
Synth music distracts from the clock's mundane sounds
From 1 comment
I am fascinated by this clock. While synthesizers are themselves complex clocks that manifest in air -- I love them and I design them myself -- I find any music, even the…
waffletower on HN
Questions
How long did it take to get the period right, and how does humidity affect cardboard?
From 2 comments
the paperclip escapement is genius. how long did it take to get the pendulum period right with cardboard? I'd expect humidity alone to mess with it.
amirkhanian on HNThanks! Getting the period right was quick, because the pendulum's length was easily adjustable.
r0r0 on HN