Sisyphean Clock

Let’s make … a 3D printed clock with a twist! Watch as every 12 hours, Sisyphus pushes a boulder up a hill, only to fall back down and have to do it again. Perfect for your office space.

Everything is printed in PLA with a .4 mm nozzle, .2 mm layer height, and 30% infill. A few items will need supports, and the spacers could benefit from a brim. The face, bob front, mountain, hands, and Sisyphus need a filament change near the end of the print to add more colors.

A video about this project, including tips on building, is available at 

All the files for printing can be found on printables at https://www.printables.com/model/1127044

In addition to filament, you’ll need:

5/16” steel

3mm brass rod

3 small wood screws around 9 mm in length

10 M5 bolts at around 12 mm in length

10 M5 knurled inserts

At least 5 M4 bolts at around 12 mm in length

At least 5 M4 knurled inserts 

A 50 mm M4 threaded rod

3mm shaft collars - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CQ2Q5R4G

13 3mm bushings with a 5mm outside diameter - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CW31938R/?th=1

608 skateboard bearings with 8 mm diameter

R2ZZ ⅛” ball bearings

springs that have an outside diameter of less than 6 mm and an inside diameter more than 3 mm

ball bearings at 2.5 mm

A bunch of BBs for weight

monofilament fishing line

3MM or smaller cord to hold the weights

Steve Peterson’s YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWbKinQBavrH3iPMvgzVQzg/featured

Steve Peterson’s clock on Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3524448

I used the same gear ratios, gear designs, minute hand concept, winding drum concept, and many other ideas from this to create my own version of a working clock. I added a new feature in the form of Sisyphus climbing a mountain.