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Steampunk Iphone Dock with smoking boiler

Steampunk Iphone Dock with smoking boiler

I had been debating creating some kind of dock for my Iphone to sit on for quite some time. This desire coupled with the first week of my summer holidays has led me to create the Steampunk Iphone Dock.

Before we get started I just want to point out that this project can be made from anything, old cans, bottles etc. So have a hunt around your home before you start, grab as  much junk as you can find so that you have an idea of the kind of shapes you need to work with.

Next its a great idea to understand the Steampunk style and that in essence what you will be making needs to look like a steam powered machine. Therefore I began by googling steam engines etc and identified an array of various parts I could use in my design. Typically you will see valves, pipes, gauges, tanks, whistles and governors all wrapped up together with rivets and sometimes even wood (wood was typically used to provide insulation to hot parts like boilers). When you have an idea of the kind of stuff you want on your dock and you have identified all of the materials available to you, you really need to take the time to draw up some ideas and take it from there. I ended up toning down my idea as I thought the paper sketch would look too complex for the docks size.
 
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Step 1The base

The base
You need to decide on a suitable base. As all of my junk is pretty much scrap wood I went with that. I would suggest you do the same as it makes cutting and shaping quite easy. Mark out the approximate size (mine was 150mm in length) and cut it down. I then drew around a coin to give myself a radius for each corner and sanded these down on my disc sander. As I want my boiler to smoke the best way I could think of to do this would be to use incense cones making my dock a sneaky incense burner as well :) It would be nice if there were a place to store the cones so Ive marked out a drawer.

Using a scroll saw or coping saw cut the draw out.


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35 comments
May 4, 2012. 9:37 PMwoodstockbirdy says:
What what are the cones?
Mar 3, 2012. 12:15 AMMac book pro says:
Awesome this is great!
Dec 28, 2011. 2:53 AMhighvoltageguy says:
this is awesome:-)
Jul 29, 2011. 10:59 AMnoahh says:
Using incense for the steam is a brilliant idea, well done!
Dec 22, 2011. 8:46 AMInsider says:
I like the "cold mist" generators... there is another instructable in how to make them.... but can't quickly find it.

Here's a source for what I'm talking about
http://www.oceanmistmaker.com/humidifierwholesales.html

PS LOVE This gonna make me one!!!!
Jul 31, 2011. 9:31 AMgrank says:
This instructible is absolutely rad and amazing, but I can't resist posting this in response to this last sentence here... :)
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/literally
Jul 31, 2011. 7:27 PMThe_Cloaked_One says:
Ah, the gayroller....good times....good times...
Jul 31, 2011. 10:01 AMlredshoes says:
Fabulous, teacher! I'm an assemblage artist using found objects, and I'm always looking for ideas that produce both interesting and useful art pieces. You got it going on.

Good luck with the contest.
Aug 2, 2011. 8:46 AMlredshoes says:
I do! Being evicted from home (New Orleans) by a wicked woman named Hurricane Katrina, I tend to use reclaimed bits and pieces and themes from there. (Putting it back together again, I guess.) Live in Pensacola, Florida, travel back to N.O. every chance we get and see what we can beg, borrow, buy (cheap) and salvage.

This is not fine art, but a folk art style which I purposely try to make look as if it was something mysterious salvaged as shown. (It's a lot of work to make somethings look old!) Hope you enjoy pics!

Lulu Redshoes
Aug 1, 2011. 1:32 PMvpurcell says:
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
Jul 31, 2011. 8:05 PMtgray1 says:
What a terrific project!

I'm sure you meant brazing rods (braising is a cooking term).

I'll bet 1/8" brass tubing from a hobby store would work, but it's tricky to bend.
Aug 1, 2011. 6:03 AMckalinowski says:
This looks great! The incense burner was, in my opinion, the best addition to a steampunk iPod dock. Kinda clever!
Aug 1, 2011. 5:52 AManthonybright says:
EXCELLENT Job! Blend in a Small Speaker and switch to a USB 3.5mm JACK Car AUX Audio/Charger/sync Connector and you've got a clock radio/sound system!
Jul 29, 2011. 5:50 PMjavajunkie1976 says:
It would be great if you could get the ball speed governor to spin. Great instructable anyway!
Jul 31, 2011. 1:43 PMjavajunkie1976 says:
It's easy to get bitten by the Steampunk bug. I'm currently on an Airship design kick. I'm designing (blueprint level) a modern yet still Steampunk cargo airship.
Jul 31, 2011. 1:28 PMCeltika says:
Wow. This is awesome. You've inspired me to do the same for my phone. Now to find junk!
Jul 31, 2011. 1:15 PMsioux gardner says:
thanks - clear and concise - much appreciated
Jul 31, 2011. 7:46 AMThe Arbiter says:
This is very cool. I really like the "metalizing" you did to make the wood look like a steel boiler. I had the same idea as a previous poster about spinning the governor with a small motor. I may have to make on of these myself for my HTC Evo.
Jul 31, 2011. 10:26 AMDark Carver says:
I'm thinking of doing this for my iPad. I have experience in building (I build Halloween props) so this shouldn't be too hard. Awesome job on this instructable!
Jul 31, 2011. 9:25 AMDawnsfalcon says:
Very well done. Way Cool!
Jul 29, 2011. 2:09 PMprototype2213 says:
This is amazing. It could easily be adapted to acomadate speakers and adds great character to a room. Great job.
Jul 30, 2011. 3:25 AMLuke Syn says:
Awesome :)
Jul 29, 2011. 11:07 AMtigerbomb8 says:
10 out of 5

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Author:MrF_DT_teacher
I am a teacher of Design and Technology currently working in secondary education. I started off studying electronics and ended up working as a packaging and POS designer before diving into teaching.