“Damnation” Timberclad PS3

Posted by on June 21st,2009
maduncle writes from the Antipodes:
 
A long time ago in a basement far, far away…
  
Mr. Jake of All Trades faces the daunting task of building the ultimate gaming PC for the launch of the new Steampunk themed game ‘Damnation’ and also knock up a modified PS3 in the same genre.
 
Both items were to be prizes for the launch of the game – with budding steampunkers invited to dress steampunk to win the PC, or draw their own version of a mooded PS3 to win one.
 
In order to give the PC his full attention, Jake kindly offered me the work modding the PS3 – which I accepted with honor.
 
So – a Sony Playstation PS3 arrives on my doorstep from the US, all sleek and black an minimalist – time to change that.
 
I went with a wood veneer finish trimmed with brass, as this was something I could fit to the curved outside of the PS3 without too much trouble. One thing about modding the PS3, it all had to be done from the outside with no internal access – otherwise all warrantees are voided!
 
So, the wood veneer went on and I fitted it with locating pins for the items to be fitted on to the wood. These include an old radio valve, a pipe valve, a pressure gauge, assorted brass plumbing parts and some trim. The wood veneer was then aged with a few coats of varnish.
 
Once all parts were fitted, I needed to change the look of the remaining plastic, so I applied some Porters ‘Liquid Iron’ and then treated this with Porters ‘Instant Rust’. This applies well to plastic as long as there is a good etch primer under it first.
 
Final addition was a hand cut 3D Damnation logo – supplied loose so the customer could place it where he thought it looked best.