What would you make?

[Dreadful Sydney]

I have at present being sent to me 3 pounds of Aves Apoxie Clay (about which I have heard no ends of goodness), an assortment of 20 cufflink backs, two nonfunctional pocket watches, a camera from 1912 or so and an old typewriter. I fully intend to gut them all and make new objects out of them.

I'd like to know what you'd make.


links to the objects in question:

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=5638416

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=5638674

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=5631674

[Mr. Boltneck]

How about a version of the horrible insect/typewriter from the movie of Naked Lunch?

[JingleJoe]

An old fashioned typewriter, an old fashioned camera and two functional pocket watches.

... I'm not being unimaginative, they are perfectly interesting and good items as they are Specially if you can get that camera combobulated well, you could make some really wierd photos with long exposures.

[ScottNC]

I agree, that camera is amazing as it is.  Not sure I'd destroy something in that good condition? In case you haven't noticed, they're not making 100 year old cameras any more.

[JingleJoe]

In case you haven't noticed, they're not making 100 year old cameras any more.

Exactly! I wouldn't mind if it was re-combobulated to accept modern film or something but it should be maintained as it is.

[Dreadful Sydney]

@Mr. Boltneck
The insect typewriter...they called it a Mujahedin or something, right? Odd name for a typewriter. But hey, why split hairs. Anyhow, that is a very interesting idea!

@Jinglejoe

I have conflicting desires to preserve and to dismantle. It's a tough call for me.

[Drew P]

I second J.J. - IMHO,if an item is found in parts/missing many,many parts,then it's time for assimilation into other forms or use to rebuild others of the same. Agreed that many items are not produced like they used to -be it in looks,quality,simplicity -lots of those items I consider 'art'. Real art not 'splattered paint' art. Always a shame,no,a crime,to destroy such beauty. I'd like to share some pics of some of my collected art,but found it hard(?) to figure out how to post them easily ie:download straight from my computer(I am not computer friendly ) Just clean them up and let them brighten up your abode.

[Siliconous Skumins]

I too have to vote that the camera should be saved if at all possible.  That is a medium format camera, uses Autographic 122 film, which is no longer made (since the 70's), however an improvised 122 size film is available - at $30 per roll....   But it will produce some very nice quality photos.
One alternative (and MUCH cheaper) is to use undeveloped photographic paper as a negative (cut to size, place in camera - take pic), then develop it. You will obviously only get one picture at a time, and you will have to run the negative through a scanner to get a positive image (or make a contact photo), but at least it *is* quite close to using a real plate camera!  As steampunk as it gets!  

As long as the lens assembly is clean and intact, the shutter works and it doesn't leak light from the bellows, then I would consider keeping that 'as is'. You'll get pictures with a depth and quality you just can't get with modern cameras.   The original image size was 3 1/4" X 5 1/2".

Here is a little info about it:
http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/No._3A_Autographic_Kodak_Junior


If the camera is scrap, then by all means, put it to good use.  It may even be possible to retrofit a digital camera inside the camera body (after removing the original lens - wrong focal length).  I've  seen similar projects made from Box Brownie type cameras, and turned it web cams etc.

SS

[Sir A Poiselamppe]

Interesting, I have had one of theses cameras sitting around as an ornament for years.... I may well press it into service now ....

[Gazongola]

No need to modify the camera, you can still get film for it from any good camera shop. Expensive to buy and get developed though.

[Waterbug]

I have dismantled several old typewriters and they contain a wealth of parts. The wonderment of seeing how these machines were made at that level is a trip back to that time. It takes me 2 or 3 hours to dismantle one.

Most recently I used cam arms from key linkages as clips for holding mirror to a medicine cabinet.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I used one of the rack gears for setting margins as a tensioning control on a steel cable connected to a latch.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I use the pointers on the ruler, I think off a similar Remington as pictured, as pointers on tools such as my finger joint cutting jig. Makes perfect alignments.

The bells on these provide a distinct sound that many people recognize and seem to like. So adding some sound to items is sometimes fun.

All the bolts and brackets can of course be used in the making of any project.

There's a retractable device with a cloth strap to pull the carriage that is useful on moving parts. Has a nice feel.

Ball bearings out of the carriage make excellent latches. I used one as a replacement on my power miter saw. The one that came with the saw made changing the angle very difficult and the slightly smaller bearing makes the saw a joy to use now.

Once you get the frame gutted I find a use comes easier to mind for that.

A interesting finish can be had on many of the black painted parts. Of the typewriters I've dismantled these parts are copper plated steel and then painted. If you are really careful the paint can be removed to reveal that copper plate. Very thin. I assume it is actually some copper alloy, but seems to have a lot of copper.

I have not run into any hardened steel so all can be easily bent into needed shapes within the limits of mild steel. Except of course the frame which is cast iron.

I suggest oiling all parts after removal. For some reason these some rust after 100 years and then a week after dismantling they tend to rust on me.

Using the right screw driver really helps. I had to grind my own to get a good fit. Out of maybe 10 machines I've had only one bolt I could not remove and none ever stripped the head. Just amazing workmanship.

Uses are really endless.