What should I build?

[elShoggotho]

I'm broke before the month even properly starts. Thank you, computer power supply, for breaking down in a strategically vital moment!

There's only one way to remedy that that's fast and legal: Sell stuff. Since goggles don't sell that well anymore (a big customer simply vanished), I need some fresh ideas. Within the restraints of tools and sanity, what should I build? I'm out of inspirations right now (except for steampunk sex toys), so throw some ideas at me. Bonus points for metal, since I primarily weld and solder.

[JingleJoe]

Simple, cheaper metal rayguns along the lines of Dr Grordborts. So many crappy plastic ones around, you could trounce almost all the competition with a well made and nicely designed metal raygun. Add a few test tube based fuel tanks with coloured fluid in for extra mad science points.

[Just call me Rob]

Phone cases.
Go for iPhone and Galaxy S.

USB cables (mini and Micro) and Phone cables.

Rather than making full guns you could make some parts for them.
Handles, trigger housings – stuff like that.

Pens and Propelling pencils. Nice Victorian SP looking ones are hard to find.

[Mr. Boltneck]

Soldering and welding? How about some scrolled iron iPad stands? Or corner shelves? Smallish items in terms of stock materials, but with probable salability. Bicycle luggage racks and baskets might also benefit from this treatment—not for the ultralight crowd, but it might catch on with the retro-steel-framed-urban-bike types.

[GreyCorbin]

Desk lamp(s) made to resemble Victorian cast iron lamp posts.

Small Victorian benches that cold be used for laptop/monitor stands, counter top shelves, or other organizational needs. (Could make large ones if you think you can sell them.)

Accent fittings, hinges, and other hardware for someone to use to SP cupboards, drawers, shutters, doors, etc.

Mirror, compact, lipstick holder, and other makeup paraphernalia.

Chess board and pieces.

Boxes - music, decorative, purpose driven, whimsical, etc.

Candelabras, sconces, and other lighting fixtures.

SP coat rack/stand.

Framework for a stained glass window.


ummmmm...out of ideas for now.

[elShoggotho]

Siphon coffee makers of the non-balancing variety - as soon as I manage to make the non-exploding variant. My coffee engine tends to be of the Heterodyne variety.

[GreyCorbin]

some inspiration.

[cryptolucien]

Something I will be doing at an upcoming Steampunk Meet-Up:

Do it yourself gun kits. I will be supplying basic parts (metal gun bodies and odd-n-ends) as a kit.

Lucien

[Otto Von Pifka]

you can always do a couple of USB memory sticks.
you can make the cases and wait to buy the mem stick. just make sure they're big enough to hold most sizes. I have been looking at using old brass rifle shellcases for the body, but nothing I have scavenged so far is quite big enough, except for the .50 cal, you could park a buick in there.

[SPBrewer]

If you are into gears, here is an idea I've been kicking around for kids.  A Brass Spirograph set.  If you're not an old person, you may have to look up Spirograph!   O.K. O.K.  I'll give it away.  Spirograph was a set of plastic gears that allowed one to draw all kinds of circular designs.
Buy a Spirograph set, use the plastic gears as a pattern to cut brass gears.
Just an idea.  If you run with it. Share some photos.

                               The Sky Pirate
                               Captain of "The Queen Victoria's Revenge"

[The Inventor]

Armored Top hat !
Looks like a top hat, but contains; carefully worked sheet steel to protect the Gentleman
who's out on the town from potential assassins !

Grappling hook launcher ( using a paint ball gun ) ?

Custom Computer cases ?
  I know lots of people are doing them, but that's because we love them so....

digital camera mod the case ?

Some kind of articulated mask, I've been thinking of doing one like "Predator" wears in the
movies. But Steam Punked, so it would have devices / uses related a scientist / adventurer ?

It's really late and my ideas aren't working so well right now.

[akumabito]

Some kind of articulated mask, I've been thinking of doing one like "Predator" wears in the
movies. But Steam Punked, so it would have devices / uses related a scientist / adventurer ?

Like.. the helmet the Pred wears.. or more like his actual face?

*imagines articulated brass jaws with hardened steel teeth*

I think I need that now!

[SPBrewer]

Armored Top hat !

I like that idea!  It reminds me of the bowler hat that John Steed wore in "The Secret Avengers".

                           The Sky Pirate
                           Captain of "The Queen Victoria's Revenge"

[elShoggotho]

Incidentally, I was throwing around the idea of welding a top hat out of sheet steel. Any takers?

[SPBrewer]

Incidentally, I was throwing around the idea of welding a top hat out of sheet steel. Any takers?

Maybe if it were to be just the rim.  Kinda like Odd-Jobs hat in "GoldFinger".

                              The Sky Pirate
                              Captain of "The Queen Victoria's Revenge"

[Otto Von Pifka]

I like the topper idea!

my only concerns would be a method of suspension on your head. metal on noggin can be pretty uncomfortable.

I wonder if you had something like a leather ring sewn to a leather brim that is your actual hat size and slightly adjustable with a rear lace on the ring. it could be bolted to the metal brim and ride inside the hat. the metal hat could be a combination of steel and brass with the bigger expanses of brass with the edges and transitions made of steel and riveted to the brass. grommets could be added to the top for a little ventilation to allow heat and moisture to get out.

[elShoggotho]

Why only grommets? A smokestack would do well up there. The leather could be bolted in place with brass rivets, through a steel base. Thing is that brass costs several times as much as base metals, namely copper and steel. The whole thing would be a bit costly in the end too, lots of work in that one.