Lone Wolf Drafting and Design Gets Crafty – Part 2

This blog entry is part 2 of a 2 part series.  Click here for part 1.

As I have mentioned before, the slow economy has taken its toll on my small business.  Work seems to come in cycles, and right now, I am in a lull.  I can only do so much advertising and client follow up before I just have to realize that there is no work to be had right now.  So, in an attempt to not lose my mind, I have decided to try my hand at a new hobby – Steampunk Crafting.

For those of you not familiar with the Steampunk design, here is a brief explanation:

Steampunk is an art form that finds it inspiration in 19^th century Victorian history.  Items created in the Steampunk fashion usually include elements of a mechanical nature showing exposed gears, wiring, knobs and other elements not found in mainstream design.  The Steampunk genre can be applied to just about anything, but is most prevalent in clothing, machinery and jewelry, but can extend to modes of transportation and architecture.

You can find more about Steampunk here and here.

Below are a couple of examples of Steampunk design found on the Internet.

Cell phone retrofit.

Modified keyboard - maybe one day I will attempt this!

No idea - but it's pretty cool lookin!

This is a particular design style that I love, and the nice thing about it is that anyone can try their hand at it.  So try I did.  My wife, Allie, showed me a website called www.instructables.com – an excellent resource that shows you how to make just about anything you want.  Instructables.com has a massive section on all things Steampunk.  My first project – a pair of Steampunk lab goggles.  The guide that I used can be found here.

Most of the basic stuff I already had, and the more exotic parts I obtained from the dismantling of the adding machine, which you can read about here.

Starting with a just a pair of basic safely goggles; I followed the steps on Instructables.com to get the project going.  I went to Home Depot to get the main part of the project – the actual goggle frames.  They are made from 2 - 2” insulated metallic grounding bushings.  

Standard rubber/ flexible safety goggles.

2" insulated metallic grounding bushing

The other key to this type of project is Loctite Epoxy.  I used this miraculous bonding agent to put the whole thing together. All of the gears, knobs, and wire came from the adding machine and an old stereo.  My wife happened to have all of the paint I needed.  From there, I just followed the photo tutorial and made myself my very own set of Steampunk lab goggles.

The finished goggles!

The strap and details.

More details.

The top of the goggles.

I have a couple of other projects that I would like to attempt – retrofitting an old flashlight and a pair of binoculars.  

Flashlight and binoculars.

I will take more photos of the process this time.  I think I will continue working on these little projects until more design and rendering work comes my way.

At the very least, I will learn new skills and keep my sanity, for a little while longer, anyway.

Thanks for reading!

Lone Wolf Drafting and Design Gets Crafty – Part 1

As I have mentioned before, the slow economy has taken its toll on my small business.  Work seems to come in cycles, and right now, I am in a lull.  I can only do so much advertising and client follow up before I just have to realize that there is no work to be had right now.  So, in an attempt to not lose my mind, I have decided to try my hand at a new hobby – Steampunk Crafting.

However, before I could get started, I needed supplies, first and foremost: a place to work.  My current desk is jam packed with computers, keyboards, printers and other work related items.

Not a drop of space to be had!

There is just not enough room to work on anything else.  So, it was time to take out some furniture and bring in some new. I sold off my black display cabinet and beautiful 1955 console stereo – it was tough to part with, but I needed the space.   

My beautiful stereo has found a new home!

 Now the hunt was on for a suitable desk, and my wife, Allie – the internet search queen – found me an awesome one!  For $60.00, she found an all wood detectives desk from the 1950’s.  Usually, I would never want to start using something like that as a hobby bench, but it was just beat up enough that I don’t feel so guilty.  It really is a fantastic piece of furniture – it’s solid wood with big drawers and complete with brass feet.  It matches my office perfectly. 

The "new" workbench

Brass foot detail - I love this!

 From there, I needed tools and equipment.  I invested in the following:

-         A Dremel-type multi-function tool with bits and attachments.

-         A soldering gun made by Chicago Welding.

-         A free standing, vacuum suction vise.

-         Various storage containers.

-         Various hand held tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, and a butane torch.

-         Task lamp with magnifying glass.

In this photo starting on the left: vise, multi-tool, solder gun, storage crate, task lamp.

Chicago Welding 250 watt solder gun.

Dremel style multi-tool by Craftsman.

Storage container for small parts.

 I was able to get everything from these places:

-         Harbor Freight Tools.

-         Sears.

-         Michael’s Arts and Crafts.

-         Office Max.

After getting my new work space set up, it was time to find parts; particularly gears, knobs, and other mechanical pieces found in Steampunk design.

Then, I found it – a mechanical adding machine from the 1950’s sitting in a corner of consignment shop.  My version was made by Victor, and, according to the lease sticker on the back, was at one point used by Hughes Aircraft Company.  How’s that for a bit of history!

A Victor adding machine - not quite like mine, but close enough.

I love this! (This label is on mine!)

This thing was a work of art – I actually felt a little bad taking it apart.  If you ever have the opportunity to really look inside one of these things, I would highly recommend it.  I think just about anyone can appreciate the complexity and beauty of the inner workings of this machine.

I wish I had taken photos when I started, but I didn’t – so I found an image that was as close as possible to the one I started with.  I did, however, take photos of the inside.

I really do wish I had taken better photos.  Sorry!

It took about 4 days to wrest this thing into its basic components.  However, it yielded a ton of fantastic pieces to work with.

This is just some of the treasures that came out of the adding machine.

Next up – actually making something!