Steampunk USB cable

[Deimos]

Remember this (back about Aug 2018)? ....



And Banfili suggested I "punk" the USB



Well, My woodworking class has been canceled for 2-1/2 semesters, which left a lot of time to do other things.....like "punk" the USB cable, which I did:

[Miranda.T]

That is just ... wow! Wow! WOW!. Oh, and did I mention - WOW!

Really sumptious; it would indeed grace Captain Nemo's study.

Yours.
Miranda.

[Deimos]

WOW Miss Miranda! Thank you for all the WOWS! 

[Sorontar]

That is excessive but lovely excessive! Well done.

Sorontar

[J. Wilhelm]

Very nice!

That is excessive but lovely excessive! Well done.

Sorontar

"Excessive but Lovely" is pretty much the definition for Steampunk.

[Sorontar]

I hope it is better than cute="ugly, but interesting".

I have always thought that the definition of Baroque was also excessive but lovely. Of course, Baroque was not steampunk.

Sorontar

[Deimos]

Very nice!

That is excessive but lovely excessive! Well done.

Sorontar

"Excessive but Lovely" is pretty much the definition for Steampunk.

@Sorontar....Thank you. Keyboard is also excessive (and I hope it is also considered lovely); but that black plug, Darling! It was just so déclassé!

The inspiration came from the tarted up flash drives I had seen on pinterest, etc.  Google 'steampunk flash drives' and you'll see what I mean.
Also, I wanted to try my hand at some pretty small metalwork.

@JW....Bingo.

Actually the "plain" plug looks almost like Art Nouveau. The sides  (which are not visible in the pictures) have pretty clean lines.  And A-N is very much of the Steampunk era.
It wasn't my intention to do it as such, but I wanted a more plain plug on the other end because it will be behind the desk and may get jostled about.
I didn't want the doodads popping off.    

[J. Wilhelm]

I hope it is better than cute="ugly, but interesting".

I have always thought that the definition of Baroque was also excessive but lovely. Of course, Baroque was not steampunk.

Sorontar

Well I don't know. Pirate Steampunk could be late Baroque (early 1700s).

[James Harrison]

Very nice. I do like that.

[Deimos]

Very nice. I do like that.

Thank you, James. Working with such small parts/materials was very frustrating, annoying  , instructive   and ultimately rewarding  .
I plan to continue.

[Banfili]

Well, Deimos, this is just a stunningly lovely piece of work! So very well done - I would be exceeding pleased to have it in my possession! If I weren't so far away, I might well have instituted a raid to obtain same!!
Maybe I should make suggestions more often!

[Deimos]

Well, Deimos, this is just a stunningly lovely piece of work! So very well done - I would be exceeding pleased to have it in my possession! If I weren't so far away, I might well have instituted a raid to obtain same!!
Maybe I should make suggestions more often!

Thank you, very much, Banfili.
And just so you know, (friend to friend) there is an armed guard--Black Ops, actually-- standing nearby.... nothing personal, you see, just ....fair warning.
But, other than that little consideration, yes, please feel free to make other suggestions/recommendations.    

[Banfili]

Deimos, I will think on't!

[SeVeNeVeS]

Outstanding, with detail that must have taken so much patience and dedication.

If you think a USB is approx 13mm, the minute, precision blows me away.

Stunning work! I am impressed Deimos, most impressed with both the keyboard and USB, if you add anything, you have to post piccies, simply lovely and ticks all my Steampunk boxes.

Darn fine job.

I think the last time I was so impressed was Steamworkshop and his flash drives http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=10974;sa=showPosts

Flash drive as a next project?

[Deimos]

That is high praise, indeed,  coming from you, Mr SeVeNeVeS, and  I sincerely mean that.
Working with the tiny stuff was/is quite the challenge.
But anyone here who works with model trains, or any kind of model, can appreciate the often painstakingly slow progress in making something in miniature.

The screws (8 of them, 2 on each side, 2 on the bottom and 2 on the back copper bracket) are 0-80, (US specs, 80  is Threads Per inch--denoted TPI--a size 0 screw is  .064” diameter) which is about a size  M1.5-M1.6.
Had to tap all the holes too (gee, that is a tiny tap!), but the material is brass; relatively soft and so was easy to tap.
  
Anything that was screwed together was done for support and/or strength, like anchoring the plug inside the brass frame so it doesn’t move when being pushed or tugged on (by way of the back copper bracket, also screwed on).
Doing it that way also enables me to entirely disassemble the plug in case I need to repair (resolder) the wires.
It is  DIY USB plugs on both ends with just Red, White, Green and Black wires run through the sheath.
But I’ve been soldering stuff for 40 years and am pretty confident that it is a good solder job. So I doubt that I’ll have to open it up.
 
All other embellishments are either epoxied on (which  means they are permanently attached) or stuck on with clear (RTV) silicon caulk, and so can be [carefully!]  removed without damage either to the embellishment or the brass case.
This is was done to be able to polish them (more on that later).

You can only barely see it on one pic but there are feet RTV’d on the bottom.
The thing weighs enough such as to cause a very slight sag, so I put feet on it for support, which also hide the bottom screws…alas, my alignment of those leaves much to be desired.
I did better on the plain “Art Nouveau” plug, lining them up pretty well, which you can see in that  pic with the diamond/harlequin embellishment.
I will try to post some W-I-P pics  that I took.  

OK, about the shininess….

I fully understand. and even like, the Steampunk look  that has the patina/worn appearance.
And I have received some criticism  of  my few items for being too new looking.

Altho’ it was not my intention to make a “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea/ Captain Nemo/ could-be-on-the-Nautilus keyboard, it somehow developed into that as soon as I put the Wavelike end pieces and the compass on it.
The “porthole” lights on the front just added to the motif. So, the whole thing became quasi nautical (and the W-I-P monitor, for the sake of consistency is also "nautical" ).

On board a ship, even a submarine, things have to be kept clean and orderly; the term “shipshape” exists for a reason.
There are no repair facilities at sea, or under it. You fail to maintain your vessel, you die.
And Captain Nemo was a stickler for order and cleanliness. (He was also as mad as a hatter.)

Note that brass things (it is typically brass on a ship) can be worn, deeply scratched and even gouged, etc. but they will still be polished.
(Also I was in the Navy and there is the saying: “There will always be some brass that needs polishing.” )
So that is why I opted for the shiny look.

[SeVeNeVeS]

That is high praise, indeed,  coming from you, Mr SeVeNeVeS, and  I sincerely mean that.
Working with the tiny stuff was/is quite the challenge.
But anyone here who works with model trains, or any kind of model, can appreciate the often painstakingly slow progress in making something in miniature.

The screws (8 of them, 2 on each side, 2 on the bottom and 2 on the back copper bracket) are 0-80, (US specs, 80  is Threads Per inch--denoted TPI--a size 0 screw is  .064” diameter) which is about a size  M1.5-M1.6.
Had to tap all the holes too (gee, that is a tiny tap!), but the material is brass; relatively soft and so was easy to tap.
  
Anything that was screwed together was done for support and/or strength, like anchoring the plug inside the brass frame so it doesn’t move when being pushed or tugged on (by way of the back copper bracket, also screwed on).
Doing it that way also enables me to entirely disassemble the plug in case I need to repair (resolder) the wires.
It is  DIY USB plugs on both ends with just Red, White, Green and Black wires run through the sheath.
But I’ve been soldering stuff for 40 years and am pretty confident that it is a good solder job. So I doubt that I’ll have to open it up.
 
All other embellishments are either epoxied on (which  means they are permanently attached) or stuck on with clear (RTV) silicon caulk, and so can be [carefully!]  removed without damage either to the embellishment or the brass case.
This is was done to be able to polish them (more on that later).

You can only barely see it on one pic but there are feet RTV’d on the bottom.
The thing weighs enough such as to cause a very slight sag, so I put feet on it for support, which also hide the bottom screws…alas, my alignment of those leaves much to be desired.
I did better on the plain “Art Nouveau” plug, lining them up pretty well, which you can see in that  pic with the diamond/harlequin embellishment.
I will try to post some W-I-P pics  that I took.  

OK, about the shininess….

I fully understand. and even like, the Steampunk look  that has the patina/worn appearance.
And I have received some criticism  of  my few items for being too new looking.

Altho’ it was not my intention to make a “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea/ Captain Nemo/ could-be-on-the-Nautilus keyboard, it somehow developed into that as soon as I put the Wavelike end pieces and the compass on it.
The “porthole” lights on the front just added to the motif. So, the whole thing because quasi nautical (and the W-I-P monitor, for the sake of consistency is also "nautical" ).

On board a ship, even a submarine, things have to be kept clean and orderly; the term “shipshape” exists for a reason.
There are no repair facilities at sea, or under it. You fail to maintain your vessel, you die.
And Captain Nemo was a stickler for order and cleanliness. (He was also as mad as a hatter.)

Note that brass things (it is typically brass on a ship) can be worned , gouged etc. but they will still be polished.
(Also I was in the Navy and there is the saying: “There will always be some brass that needs polishing.” )
So that is why I opted for the shiny look.

As for the shiny shiny, I prefer an old used / slightly knackered look for most of the stuff I cobble together (amateur compared to this work I may add) But new and shiny definitely works as well, depending on the piece in question and the situation it is placed and what back story is attached.


That is high praise, indeed,  coming from you, Mr SeVeNeVeS, and  I sincerely mean that , not sure why? I'm only an average member who knows what he likes, and you deserve all the praise for fine work IMHO.

[Deimos]

...

That is high praise, indeed,  coming from you, Mr SeVeNeVeS, and  I sincerely mean that , not sure why? I'm only an average member who knows what he likes, and you deserve all the praise for fine work IMHO.

I has to do with one’s expertise/experience in similar projects.
I can praise Cora Courcelle’s period clothing because I can compare it to a lot of other S-P outfits I’ve seen.
But I have little idea/knowledge (really none) at to what goes into the making of it.

But if miss Miranda praises it  you know it’s first class because she has tonnes of experience making the very same type of clothing.
So if Cora said to Miranda what I said to you about the high praise, I’d perfectly understand why she said it.
I’m sure she appreciated my positive comments and admiration but to have a a person “in-the-know” praise one's work, well, it’s pretty much hitting the apex, juneau…  

Likewise, I really do appreciate all the nice things people have said about the USB cable.
You don't have to be able to make a fancy, intricate cake in order to rave about it. And the baker is still gratified by your praise.

[Banfili]

OK, about the shininess….

I fully understand. and even like, the Steampunk look  that has the patina/worn appearance.
And I have received some criticism  of  my few items for being too new looking.

Altho’ it was not my intention to make a “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea/ Captain Nemo/ could-be-on-the-Nautilus keyboard, it somehow developed into that as soon as I put the Wavelike end pieces and the compass on it.
The “porthole” lights on the front just added to the motif. So, the whole thing became quasi nautical (and the W-I-P monitor, for the sake of consistency is also "nautical" ).

On board a ship, even a submarine, things have to be kept clean and orderly; the term “shipshape” exists for a reason.
There are no repair facilities at sea, or under it. You fail to maintain your vessel, you die.
And Captain Nemo was a stickler for order and cleanliness. (He was also as mad as a hatter.)

Note that brass things (it is typically brass on a ship) can be worn, deeply scratched and even gouged, etc. but they will still be polished.
(Also I was in the Navy and there is the saying: “There will always be some brass that needs polishing.” )
So that is why I opted for the shiny look.

Deimos, I wouldn't be too concerned about the apparent "newness" of the brightwork, after all, everything had to be "new" and shiny at some point - objects weren't brought into the world looking as if they had been underwater for 20 years! I would think that even the "Nautilus" was was bright, shiny and new at some point in it's life!!

[Deimos]

...
Deimos, I wouldn't be too concerned about the apparent "newness" of the brightwork, after all, everything had to be "new" and shiny at some point - objects weren't brought into the world looking as if they had been underwater for 20 years! I would think that even the "Nautilus" was was bright, shiny and new at some point in it's life!!

Oh, yes! But can you imagine having to scrape off all those barnacles to restore even a pale semblance of that original lustre?

[Banfili]

...
Deimos, I wouldn't be too concerned about the apparent "newness" of the brightwork, after all, everything had to be "new" and shiny at some point - objects weren't brought into the world looking as if they had been underwater for 20 years! I would think that even the "Nautilus" was was bright, shiny and new at some point in it's life!!

Oh, yes! But can you imagine having to scrape off all those barnacles to restore even a pale semblance of that original lustre?

Yes, I can imagine that! But I can also imagine Captain Nemo having some 'magic' unction or lotion to remove said barnacles with a minimum of effort - and a high pressure hose!!

[Deimos]

pics of how I did it....deleted (for now)

[J. Wilhelm]

OK, about the shininess….

I fully understand. and even like, the Steampunk look  that has the patina/worn appearance.
And I have received some criticism  of  my few items for being too new looking.

Altho’ it was not my intention to make a “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea/ Captain Nemo/ could-be-on-the-Nautilus keyboard, it somehow developed into that as soon as I put the Wavelike end pieces and the compass on it.
The “porthole” lights on the front just added to the motif. So, the whole thing became quasi nautical (and the W-I-P monitor, for the sake of consistency is also "nautical" ).

On board a ship, even a submarine, things have to be kept clean and orderly; the term “shipshape” exists for a reason.
There are no repair facilities at sea, or under it. You fail to maintain your vessel, you die.
And Captain Nemo was a stickler for order and cleanliness. (He was also as mad as a hatter.)

Note that brass things (it is typically brass on a ship) can be worn, deeply scratched and even gouged, etc. but they will still be polished.
(Also I was in the Navy and there is the saying: “There will always be some brass that needs polishing.” )
So that is why I opted for the shiny look.

Deimos, I wouldn't be too concerned about the apparent "newness" of the brightwork, after all, everything had to be "new" and shiny at some point - objects weren't brought into the world looking as if they had been underwater for 20 years! I would think that even the "Nautilus" was was bright, shiny and new at some point in it's life!!

I never really aim for a patina if I can, because the items fit within a storyline. Instead, I aim to let the natural material provide the texture. Roughly made for rough conditions. Elegantly made for indoor decorative purposes. I find myself more involved with militaria, so it's appropriately dull and functional decor with a few exceptions, like folkloric touches, as those would be of significant importance to the soldier.

The representation is of the objects I make is as they existed in the 1860s-1890s and not on the 20th century as museum pieces.

The most similar work for indoor use would be Datamancer's laptop, which looked like a carefully crafted and polished cabinet.

[J. Wilhelm]

Ok....pics of how  I made it  (sort of)

I can't see the pictures. There's no image format appendix on the urls

[Deimos]

OK....but why can I see them even when I'm not logged in?
They are images from my Google photos album.

So, is there anyone who can NOT see them?

[von Corax]

OK....but why can I see them even when I'm not logged in?
They are images from my Google photos album.

So, is there anyone who can NOT see them?

Can't see anything. When I right-click and "view image" I see a "No Entry" symbol.