Steampunking my reader - Page 2

NatCh · 07-13-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

I also like the concept that technostuff can be hand made. That usually is my big beef with society as a whole. No place for craftmanship as a need.

Maybe this could be a new line of business for you, yvanleterrible.

yvanleterrible · 07-13-2007, 12:00 PM

New tooling, new marketing... appealing but 'been there done that'. You know of my last venture failure.

Banks own me now.

NatCh · 07-13-2007, 12:02 PM

Ah, well, it was a nice thought, anyway.

Cpt. Tim · 07-13-2007, 01:07 PM

So last night i completed the copper coat, then added some tarnishing, and a victorian pattern near the bottom. The hard part now is waiting to find parts that i can use that don't mar the form factor, its a waiting game. To some of the specific points, I didn't sand the reader before painting because that was a bit too permanent for me. After some spot tests i've found that i could restore my reader if i really really wanted to, but it would be rather tedious. If i do get a chip here or there a single dab of the color i used for the tarnishing would take care of it.

Rivets should of course, gone on first, but i'm looking for the right parts, along with some fancy covers for the buttons to affix, and things like gears. they're things i can't just look up and buy, its more searching and waiting for the right stuff to come along. I'm thinking of maybe working with thin sheets of copper and dremmeling square panels out to add some texture to it and make it look like it was patched or assembled. I'm happy with it so far.

The number keys along the bottom i plan to replace with very old typewriter style keys affixed to the top of them. Round keys with brass casing, but finding them small enough, or making them myself will be a project in itself.

I did think about possibly having to send it in, and i know i might get crap for it, but nothing got inside in the slightest, so it'd be like apple not fixing my laptop cause theres stickers on it.

Good eyes Andanzas. While its not a bart card, it is meant to look like one. I had buisiness cards printed that looked like bart cards. "Insert this side up" says "Insert into wallet" "See other side" is my name, and the bart logo is replaced by my initials. The fair count is my phone number.

Much like the book covers i make for the reader, my card looks like something totally different than it is. I figure that either means i'm a clever person, or i enjoy deception.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 07-15-2007, 04:36 PM

This is why I occasionally attack things in my house with those decorative spray cans. Presently my computer casing is done in "hammered metal" finish.

I like the unique card idea, too... I might try that sometime!

Cthulhu · 07-15-2007, 09:10 PM

This is unexcusable sloth, but Cpt. Tim, is there a forum post regarding your Reader covers?

To the member who mentioned outsourced the Steampunked bodies....Having a factory do the work flies in the face of the notion of the "steampunk" sensibility. Like Ivan Grosni wrote, hand-made has a permanence and a resonance not found in a mass-produced artifact.

BobVA · 07-15-2007, 10:27 PM

Very cool idea!

Just thinking out loud:
- How about a heavy, tanned leather cover with the obligatory belt/buckle closure?

- Leather wrist strap

- If you could make up a suitable decal for a pressure gauge, it might look good on the page forward/back disk.

- You might be able to paint a memory stick to look like a minature Hollerith card.

- Brass fittings on the edges/corners.

- File off the Sony legend at the top and replace with a suitably Victorian brass plate. Maybe something like "Chas. Sony & Sons, Ltd., Practical Perpetual Reading Machine, P'td 1887" ( Help me out here Harry T

)

- Fold up brass "winding key" (a la travel alarm clock). Might be able to get it to do something practical (e.g. secure the cover to the reader).

- Keep your eye peeled for a watch collector swap meet. A couple of $5 "coffee can" special mechanical clocks or watches might yield some interesting parts.)

Fun!

NatCh · 07-15-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

This is unexcusable sloth, but Cpt. Tim, is there a forum post regarding your Reader covers?

Yup, a couple of them actually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobVA

- Keep your eye peeled for a watch collector swap meet. A couple of $5 "coffee can" special mechanical clocks or watches might yield some interesting parts.

You might also get some "junk parts" for cheap from your local watch/clock repair shop too.

HeffeD · 07-16-2007, 06:17 PM

Speaking of Steampunk, ever seen the RC creations at Crabfu SteamWorks? I love that page!

Cpt. Tim · 07-16-2007, 07:48 PM

BobVA, those are some great ideas and i'll be using some.

Heading up to the store to pick up some thin copper sheeting today cause the paint just isn't enough. i'll laugh at myself if i actually copper skin the whole thing.

BobVA · 07-16-2007, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cpt. Tim

Heading up to the store to pick up some thin copper sheeting today cause the paint just isn't enough. i'll laugh at myself if i actually copper skin the whole thing.

That would be AWESOME!

After thinking about this some more, I think "Practical Perpetual Reading Engine" might a more appropriate name. Just remember that it burns a small amount of coal, even when you're not reading.

Aprilbeginnings · 07-17-2007, 01:40 PM

ummmmm, well it looks interesting, well sort of......... guess it's not a girl thing, LOL

nekokami · 07-17-2007, 03:38 PM

Oh, I don't know. I seldom mention it around these parts, but I have two X chromosomes in position 23 myself, and I think it's very cool indeed. I particularly like the tarnish.

I myself would put a compass on the page navigator, I think. Though possibly not a working one-- I'm not sure about the long-term affects of a magnet near the system. Any opinions on that?

Steven Lyle Jordan · 07-17-2007, 04:01 PM

I'd think the current in the reader might affect the accuracy of the compass, but probably not the other way 'round. But is the e-ink screen susceptible to magnetism? I don't know.

NatCh · 07-17-2007, 04:03 PM

I think steampunking is probably more an uncommon taste, rather than a gender linked one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

I'm not sure about the long-term affects of a magnet near the system. Any opinions on that?

The Sony Reader doesn't seem bothered by the two rather strong magnets built into its right edge to hold the covers shut.

07-15-2007, 10:27 PM	#22
BobVA Addict Posts: 230 Karma: 1500 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Kobo Clara, Sony PRS950, T1, T2, T3	Very cool idea! Just thinking out loud: - How about a heavy, tanned leather cover with the obligatory belt/buckle closure? - Leather wrist strap - If you could make up a suitable decal for a pressure gauge, it might look good on the page forward/back disk. - You might be able to paint a memory stick to look like a minature Hollerith card. - Brass fittings on the edges/corners. - File off the Sony legend at the top and replace with a suitably Victorian brass plate. Maybe something like "Chas. Sony & Sons, Ltd., Practical Perpetual Reading Machine, P'td 1887" ( Help me out here Harry T ) - Fold up brass "winding key" (a la travel alarm clock). Might be able to get it to do something practical (e.g. secure the cover to the reader). - Keep your eye peeled for a watch collector swap meet. A couple of $5 "coffee can" special mechanical clocks or watches might yield some interesting parts.) Fun! Last edited by BobVA; 07-15-2007 at 10:41 PM.

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07-13-2007, 12:00 PM	#17
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	New tooling, new marketing... appealing but 'been there done that'. You know of my last venture failure. Banks own me now.

07-13-2007, 12:02 PM	#18
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Ah, well, it was a nice thought, anyway.

07-13-2007, 01:07 PM	#19
Cpt. Tim Member Posts: 24 Karma: 24 Join Date: Apr 2007 Device: Sony Reader	So last night i completed the copper coat, then added some tarnishing, and a victorian pattern near the bottom. The hard part now is waiting to find parts that i can use that don't mar the form factor, its a waiting game. To some of the specific points, I didn't sand the reader before painting because that was a bit too permanent for me. After some spot tests i've found that i could restore my reader if i really really wanted to, but it would be rather tedious. If i do get a chip here or there a single dab of the color i used for the tarnishing would take care of it. Rivets should of course, gone on first, but i'm looking for the right parts, along with some fancy covers for the buttons to affix, and things like gears. they're things i can't just look up and buy, its more searching and waiting for the right stuff to come along. I'm thinking of maybe working with thin sheets of copper and dremmeling square panels out to add some texture to it and make it look like it was patched or assembled. I'm happy with it so far. The number keys along the bottom i plan to replace with very old typewriter style keys affixed to the top of them. Round keys with brass casing, but finding them small enough, or making them myself will be a project in itself. I did think about possibly having to send it in, and i know i might get crap for it, but nothing got inside in the slightest, so it'd be like apple not fixing my laptop cause theres stickers on it. Good eyes Andanzas. While its not a bart card, it is meant to look like one. I had buisiness cards printed that looked like bart cards. "Insert this side up" says "Insert into wallet" "See other side" is my name, and the bart logo is replaced by my initials. The fair count is my phone number. Much like the book covers i make for the reader, my card looks like something totally different than it is. I figure that either means i'm a clever person, or i enjoy deception.

07-15-2007, 04:36 PM	#20
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	This is why I occasionally attack things in my house with those decorative spray cans. Presently my computer casing is done in "hammered metal" finish. I like the unique card idea, too... I might try that sometime!

07-15-2007, 09:10 PM	#21
Cthulhu Technologist Posts: 488 Karma: 585237 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I'm between Cities Device: SONY Reader PRS-500	This is unexcusable sloth, but Cpt. Tim, is there a forum post regarding your Reader covers? To the member who mentioned outsourced the Steampunked bodies....Having a factory do the work flies in the face of the notion of the "steampunk" sensibility. Like Ivan Grosni wrote, hand-made has a permanence and a resonance not found in a mass-produced artifact.

07-16-2007, 06:17 PM	#24
HeffeD Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 270 Join Date: Feb 2007 Device: Palm Z22	Speaking of Steampunk, ever seen the RC creations at Crabfu SteamWorks? I love that page!

07-16-2007, 07:48 PM	#25
Cpt. Tim Member Posts: 24 Karma: 24 Join Date: Apr 2007 Device: Sony Reader	BobVA, those are some great ideas and i'll be using some. Heading up to the store to pick up some thin copper sheeting today cause the paint just isn't enough. i'll laugh at myself if i actually copper skin the whole thing.

07-17-2007, 01:40 PM	#27
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	ummmmm, well it looks interesting, well sort of......... guess it's not a girl thing, LOL

07-17-2007, 03:38 PM	#28
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Oh, I don't know. I seldom mention it around these parts, but I have two X chromosomes in position 23 myself, and I think it's very cool indeed. I particularly like the tarnish. I myself would put a compass on the page navigator, I think. Though possibly not a working one-- I'm not sure about the long-term affects of a magnet near the system. Any opinions on that?

07-17-2007, 04:01 PM	#29
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I'd think the current in the reader might affect the accuracy of the compass, but probably not the other way 'round. But is the e-ink screen susceptible to magnetism? I don't know.

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