Steampunk / Cyberpunk Time Device On The Cheap

The reasons for building a time device (an all-in-one phase generator, time and space warp device, teleport, compass, etc...) are many. Perhaps you plan to party in 1929, or you need a great accessory for your Time Agent outfit. Or maybe you gotta get back to your real time in the future. Anyways, here's how to make a rather decent looking hand held device made almost entirely out of recycled junk.

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Step 1: Materials

There's a number of items you'll need, I've split the list into must haves, and optional. All of this stuff I either _{^{purloined from the trash}} recycled, or had lying around.

Must Haves:

~A powder compact, this is the mainframe of the device. Sizes vary, build up a collection and choose the best (biggest, coolest) one. Clear, domed springy covers are preferable, thankfully they are the majority. _{^{If such an item doesn't turn up regularly in your garbage either a. court a female (recommended), or b. ask a friend, be sure to explain why you need her old makeup container}}

~Aluminum foil

~Floral foam, or Styrofoam, floral best (can be bought really cheap if unattainable)

~White glue and Krazy glue (gel is best, doesn't run)

~cardstock

Recommended junk (stuff you will decorate the device with):

~scrap wire

~gears (from a broken clock)

~flat marble

~odd bits of electronic junk, LED's

~an assortment of lenses pinched from a disposable camera

Tools:

~Xacto knife

~pencil/pen

~wire cutters/needle-nose pliers

waterlubber says: Aug 11, 2012. 3:26 PM

need more gear and biggy reddy button.

Foaly7 says: Sep 17, 2009. 7:30 PM

If your a big enough nerd to figure out how to do so, you could make 2 different-colored LEDs in different parts of the device that pulse the hours & minutes of what time it is.

waterlubber in reply to Foaly7Aug 11, 2012. 3:24 PM

I am! Use an ATtiny, code, tada! Or have a button that makes a light show...

KentsOkay (author) in reply to Foaly7Sep 17, 2009. 7:52 PM

For sure, I know there's a binary watch ible someplace. I just didnt feel like doing all the fiddly stuff...

springlauncher says: Sep 25, 2011. 3:56 PM

somebody....anybody.........kan I get an answer?

KentsOkay (author) in reply to springlauncherSep 30, 2011. 8:23 PM

Hell yeah bro this idea works with just about anything.

springlauncher says: Sep 22, 2011. 2:41 PM

can you use anything besides the compact?

janmare says: Mar 30, 2011. 6:09 AM

This one look like that
http://mykola-kasian.com.ua/

janmare says: Mar 30, 2011. 5:15 AM

here you find some steampunk cellphone
http://mykola-kasian.com.ua/

blackchrisboy says: Nov 16, 2010. 7:18 PM

lol yes ima glue racist XD

Jabbathecat says: Aug 24, 2010. 4:35 AM

A great look, quite adorable, however, I think we have a RAC (randomly Applied Cogs) theme here, which I would try to avoid. Great machine, though.

KentsOkay (author) in reply to JabbathecatAug 24, 2010. 9:13 PM

Thanks!

dscarna says: Jun 30, 2010. 7:28 AM

Good job! this would be a cool idea for time machine camp ;) ps. i like your wit :D

Junkyard Dawg says: Jun 29, 2010. 5:34 PM

I really like this thing. If I can find them small enough, I'll take a working clock, and make the face/hand assembly into a "seprate screen", connected to the inner workings by some sort of belt/pully system. I really like this time traveler, since this instructable is just a general guideline, with details up to you. I have got to build one!

Seleziona says: Oct 22, 2009. 5:45 AM

Looks awesome, maybe when i get some of the parts i'll make it! 5*

Articas says: Sep 18, 2009. 2:14 PM

it's a bit more steampunk than cyberpunk and would be good if it lights up but it's still cool besides if it was steampunk i to would more likely a time bender like a thing to induce bulletime

mg0930mg says: Oct 27, 2008. 12:14 PM

Wow! LOOK BELOW! haha. I love instructables people, a big bunch of nerds. Hehe. Anyway, Great instructable.

gmjhowe in reply to mg0930mgOct 28, 2008. 5:06 AM

i prefer the term 'geeks', no behave before we go back and take out your entire ancestry.

GnomeMaster in reply to gmjhoweAug 29, 2009. 9:48 AM

geek in the dictonary actully means circus freak (sorry for being late)

mg0930mg in reply to gmjhoweDec 1, 2008. 2:25 PM

eep....

KentsOkay (author) in reply to gmjhoweOct 28, 2008. 5:26 AM

You prefer geek? I've always like nerd, seems to be a cut above geek...

waterlubber in reply to KentsOkayAug 11, 2012. 3:25 PM

Same w/ me

jillg in reply to KentsOkayNov 19, 2008. 8:30 PM

i would much rather call myself a geeg than be called a nerd. and i am a geek!

gmjhowe in reply to KentsOkayOct 28, 2008. 5:45 AM

cut above? have you even read the dictionary definitions?

nerd |nəːd|

noun informal
a foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious : one of those nerds who never asked a girl to dance.
• an intelligent, single-minded expert in a particular technical discipline or profession : he single-handedly changed the Zero image of the computer nerd into one of savvy Hero.

geek |giːk|

noun informal
1 an unfashionable or socially inept person.
• [with adj.] a person with an eccentric devotion to a particular interest : a computer geek.
2 a carnival performer who does wild or disgusting acts.