Steampunk Laptop

Hi all,
Today I will present you my newest Steampunk-Design Workshop creation.


Here you can read something about how i got the idea to built my first Steampunk Laptop.

Because my pictures are soo poor...

I deside to take a video in HD, you will enjoy it!!!

Depend on the diversity of the basic Laptops you get in this world I can show you only an overview of the single steps and the trouble you get with single parts…

For my Steampunk Laptop I use my first Laptop which still works well but is now too slow for newest applications.
It still works well for Videos, Music and Internet.

My model is the Toshiba Satellite 1100.

Parts List:

• Toshiba Satellite 1100
• Big Wooden Gingerbread Box
• Profiled Timber
• Plywood
• Old Brass Car Horns
• Copper T-Pipe
• Brass Caps
• Latchet
• Knobs in different sizes
• Red Velvet
• Brass E10 Bulb base
• LED’s
• Switches
• Wood Stain
• Wood Wax
• Hinge Joints for Box lid and Keyboard
• Enough Time

Step 1: Disassembly of the Laptop

I don’t describe the disassembly in detail. Be careful there are many tiny, tiny screws.
Also take some pictures of the metal shield.
Some parts don’t work when they are not connected over the metal shield to ground.
For example the touch pad there is a Brass plate on the lower side.
I don’t connect it to shield/ground and the touchpad don’t work.
After few hours I recognise that there was a small metal sheet mounted which I miss I supersede it by a cable.

Comments

[AJMansfield]

CRTs are WAAAAY more steampunk.

[firesirt]

Yes, but would YOU want to lug one of these monsters around?

[AJMansfield]

I've considered building a 'laptop' with a CRT in it, actually. The end result would be something more similar in form to the Apple Macintosh Plus, except it would have a built-in keyboard that comes out on a pair of drawer slides, and speakers that come out of the sides. Wood case, brass buttons, everything.

[romanyacik]

Please, tell us where the desktop software came from! It's Ubuntu, isn't it?

[tbiggers-brooksby]

hello
This is very pretty...but I have a question what size box did you use

[jscott14]

After looking at a bunch of different steampunk laptops, I still have to say that I like yours the best. This is a fabulous instructable. Thank you very much.

[SGT. Desert]

N its not a main board its mother board

[SGT. Desert]

N its not a main board its mother board

[SGT. Desert]

nice !!!! can i use satellite c655 ???

[ace12345m]

what do the f and the v on the mouse pad do?

[meenzal]

I note that you don't have a QWERTY keyboard layout. How did you remap the Toshiba keys to get the layout you have to work?

[Admiral Aaron Ravensdale]

No it's a QWERTZ keyboard look on this picture...
http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/F5D/WCXM/H18FRER9/F5DWCXMH18FRER9.MEDIUM.jpg

[meenzal]

Yes, I understand that now, but I'd never heard of one of those until I saw yours. I'm used to the universal QWERTY boards and even the Dvorak boards. but I'd never seen a QWERTZ before.

[Admiral Aaron Ravensdale]

Now you should think about that you life in Germany and your standart Keyboard is QWERTZ!
I never see a Dvorak and only a few time a QWERTY :-)

Cheers

[meenzal]

You learn something new every day here. Not only do I get to see your excellent laptop, but I learn of a new keyboard format!

About Dvorak: As I understand it, when typewriters were invented, typists kept jamming the machines by typing too fast. So the manufacturers invented the QWERTY keyboard to slow them down by placing keys in non-intuitive order. Their keyboard became the standard and is still around today. The Dvorak keyboard was developed to return that high speed and permits much faster typing when people get used to it. Here's a link about it: http://www.dvorak-keyboard.com/

I tried a Dvorak keyboard for a while and just couldn't get used to it, so back to QWERTY I went. People can buy Dvorak keyboards for under US $20 if they want to try one out. Some like them a lot.

Thanks for showing the QWERTZ keyboard, and again, thanks for your excellent Instructable. Awesome work!

[electfire]

Congratulations!
You made Hack-a-Day!|
Here is the article...

Amazing work as always, Mr. Ravensdale.
Your laptop rivals even that of Mr. Datamancer!
(Here is his)
Though I happen to really love the clockwork on the lid of his , yours seems to me more rugged and portable.

Also thought I might mention this one, it also has clockwork in the lid,
though it has a more dystopian /worn out look.
My only thing against that one is he moved the trackpad to the underside of the build.

....Since I am sharing other Steampunk projects things I've come across, I have a nice Youtube playlist of all sorts of Steampunk -inspired stuff, I've come across on Youtube... (here is the link to the playlist), matter of fact several fellow steampunkers that are here on Instructables I have in the playlist.

Anyways, good day to you sir,
and as always,
Happy Making!
~Electfire (Owner of EFW Systems)

[datas_brother]

Very Cool!!! Where did you get the matching desktop overlay from?

[woyzeckmurat]

[Junophor]

Dear Sir Admiral Aaron Ravensdale

It is just unbelievable - what a great job;-))))

Take a bow!!!


Yours Aeon Junophor

[Ludwig Von Mech]

Mein lieber Herr Admiral-

Das ist ja toll!!! Wunderbare Arbeit.

You are truly the master, and I bow down to you. This is a project that has been on my mind for several years, and you have solved several issues for me, having had the courage and skill to disassemble the laptop. You have taken the design back to 1870, but I am trying to take the design back to 1370, and I am working on a Medieval Punk design. It is far in the future, so to speak.

I will continue to praise your excellent work, sir. Keep up the good work.

[nozzo]

How did you change the keyboard caps? Where did you source those lovely keys from?

[Admiral Aaron Ravensdale]

Hi,
I am confused I am really sure that i add a the step "Keyboard Keys"...
I will write it again!!!

But there are no changes on the caps, I paint the whole keyboard with brass colour and glue buttons on. In this buttons I glue laminated paper with the key layout...

[iminthebathroom]

crazy awesome

[Gazook]

Amazing work! Love the brass horns. Soldering that flat cable looks incredibly difficult. What type of soldering iron do you need for that sort of intricate work?

[Admiral Aaron Ravensdale]

RIGHT... Soldering that makes you crazy...
I have a simmilar one "Smart Soldering Iron Station,digital"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-Soldering-Iron-Station-digital-TMC-08-1000D-fast-heat-081000D-SOLDER-NEW-/130651996124?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6b773fdc

And use the min temperatur for PB solder wire

[Begradoo]

Beautiful!
Where did you find the horns?

[Admiral Aaron Ravensdale]

Ebay.
They are from a old car around 1920... If you search for Brass Horn you will find a lot!

[l8nite]

I like the whole steampunk look even though it's not for me personally, but I reallly really like this. This took a lot of imagination, time and skills to pull off. Thank you for sharing !

[nanosec12]

Admiral Ravensdale,

Sir, once again you astound me with your vision, perserverance, and skill. There is no doubt in my mind that even the Honorable Herbert George Wells would have been proud to incorporate your devices within the confines of his Time Machine !!!

Nicely done Admiral, nicely done.