This instructable involves working with electricity (120V) and fluids in close vicinity! You should be aware of the dangers and not attempt this if you don't know what you are doing!
All pipe/hose connections have to be absolutely watertight and I recommend a test with the reservoir filled but the coffee maker not plugged in. Check for leaks after 30 minutes or longer.
The electrical connections should be at least as well insulatad as in the original "donor", when you solder the copper pipes use leadfree solder and when using epoxy glue follow the instructions carefully and work in a well ventilated area!
This said, let's have a look what we need.
Materials and tools which will make completion of this project a lot easier -_^ :
Donor = Coffeemaker from the Salvation Army
Wood to build the frame
Copper pipes and fittings
Water reservoir - I used a aluminum water bottle
A nice coffee/tea pot
Filter holder - in my case a pretty porcelain lamp shade
4 rubber feet
Lead-free solder
Hacksaw
Pipe cutter
Soldering iron
Different glues
Ruler, tape measure, compass and caliper
Scissors
Pliers
Drill press + drill bits
Emerald paper
Screwdrivers
For some time I wanted to make a steampunk coffee/tea maker but I couldn't think of a nice water reservoir till I saw this aluminum water bottle at the dollar store. As luck would have it, the opening had a 3/4" FPT (female pipe thread) which could be easily fitted with the male counterpart and further hooked up to the heater element. (You can see it on a picture later) The other problem was the wooden base but I was lucky there too.
If you want to see how a coffee maker works, check this really good video clip: http://vimeo.com/2193258
Of course you could argue an electrical powered coffee maker is not steampunk at all, but then I want to see the coal/gasoline driven coffee maker you've built ;p
All pipe/hose connections have to be absolutely watertight and I recommend a test with the reservoir filled but the coffee maker not plugged in. Check for leaks after 30 minutes or longer.
The electrical connections should be at least as well insulatad as in the original "donor", when you solder the copper pipes use leadfree solder and when using epoxy glue follow the instructions carefully and work in a well ventilated area!
This said, let's have a look what we need.
Materials and tools which will make completion of this project a lot easier -_^ :
Donor = Coffeemaker from the Salvation Army
Wood to build the frame
Copper pipes and fittings
Water reservoir - I used a aluminum water bottle
A nice coffee/tea pot
Filter holder - in my case a pretty porcelain lamp shade
4 rubber feet
Lead-free solder
Hacksaw
Pipe cutter
Soldering iron
Different glues
Ruler, tape measure, compass and caliper
Scissors
Pliers
Drill press + drill bits
Emerald paper
Screwdrivers
For some time I wanted to make a steampunk coffee/tea maker but I couldn't think of a nice water reservoir till I saw this aluminum water bottle at the dollar store. As luck would have it, the opening had a 3/4" FPT (female pipe thread) which could be easily fitted with the male counterpart and further hooked up to the heater element. (You can see it on a picture later) The other problem was the wooden base but I was lucky there too.
If you want to see how a coffee maker works, check this really good video clip: http://vimeo.com/2193258
Of course you could argue an electrical powered coffee maker is not steampunk at all, but then I want to see the coal/gasoline driven coffee maker you've built ;p
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Signing UpStep 1: Finding a Donor and Taking it Apart:
Every time I stop at the salvation army they have several coffee makers up for grabs. Usually they are not difficult to take apart with a screwdriver and some (gentle) force. What you need is the heating element with attached rubber hoses, electrical switch and cable.
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r
Take a bow for this great project A real "steampunk work" in the meaning of the word.Great job
One day I hope to realize a project in my mind switched on and off by a marble stirling engine powered with steam. So your instrtructable is a good inspiration for it
Cheesr Aeon Junophor
Perhaps it isn't "Steampunk" by the very definition, but all it's missing is the brass/copper water reservoir, and decanter/caraffe. Who could find a big enough piece of brass tubing for either on such short notice?
For once, I really like Art Deco and some influences can't be denied, on the other hand this project really involves steam, doesn't it?! ^_o
CarlosP
FYI you can get pretty cheap copper sheets at amazon.com. Well its not really that cheap :P Maybe $15.
I do believe I must try hand at this wonderful device. I am a bit of a coffee lover so when I arise in the morning not only will I have a great cup of coffee
but a piece of art work to put a smile on my face as well.
My hats off
Thanks
Geordi
What's next an instructable on how to put sheilding on my uranium tea heater?
I check in here several times a day time permitting and this is one of the reasons I do, I just love this project.
I hope this does not insult your artistic inclination but a copper or brass base would have been the icing on the cake, a thin piece over the wood base would not require any special tools, and some brass head nails would look like rivets, as you spill coffee and water on it a cool patina would develop.
I would have used that 12v switch, but that's just the kind of rebel I am,
thanks again for a fun instructable.
And well, how I actually found out that this was a 12V switch is that I hooked it up, turned it on and the whole thing looked like miniature H-bomb, a blinding flash and the telltale smoke ring :(
But thank you very much for your comment and should you go to the shelter don't forget to bring up the coal powered coffee maker please!
(EXPLODING SWITCHES AND ALL)
but I will tell you that those of us who camp have long owned the Coleman Coffee maker you just set in the fire, a burner, or dare I say coal(s)
Now I'm off to try and convince a fellow steampunker to accept some free neon lights I found at a second hand store, I think he's a little paranoid, maybe he thinks I'm an internet scammer, like anybody has ever been ripped off on the web, well there is always a first.
Oh and thanks, today as I made my way through the second hand store I had to spend five extra minutes reminding myself I don't have time to steampunk anything right now, especially a coffee maker.
Hitherto... If finally I do it, I post my final result I promise! Thanks!
May the force be with you.