iPhonograph

I've had so much fun making this and it's such a good sound system, it takes you back to the 1900's (no I'm not really that old - that would be incredible though!).  I have been interested in Steampunk for a number of years and have seen a great number of artifacts out there, some of which have appeared on 'Warehouse 13' and films etc.  I have created a few myself but this is the only one I have documented.  If you like this I have created other artefacts which I don't have instructables for but they might give you more ideas.  Click here.

Making a Steampunk sound system has been on my mind for a year now and it wasn't until I saw Horatius.Steam's building a passive speaker for your phone instructable that I was inspired to do this, but unlike his I needed more than a passive speaker, I wanted 'POWER!'

Step 1: Gathering your materials

Most of the materials I get have been from recycling depots (one of my favourites is The Bower), kerbside chuck outs and donations from friends although I did have to buy a few things for this project!

Materials List (of what I used, you can substitute anything you like):

1 x Old Cutlery Canteen (Box)
1 x Brass Horn - these are repos imported from India (one of many sites: http://india.alibaba.com/country/products_india-gramophone.html)
1 x Mini Stereo Amp - this I built from an old kit I had lying around at home, it has an LM380 audio amp, but really you should use a mono amp for this! Obviously!
1 x Transformer to run the amplifier
1 x 1.5 metre square of blue felt
2 x Potentiometer Knobs
1 x 1 metre length of shielded audio cable
2 x 3.5mm stereo plugs
1 x 3.5mm stereo socket
1 x Power lead with plug for mains
1 x Power socket
1 x Power switch (3 way)
2 x Mains driven LED lights (one red and one green)
1 x 100mm square of acrylic (3mm thick)

Equipment:

Drill
Soldering Iron & solder
Wire Cutters
Dremel (mini drill)
Hole Drill Bits
Wood Glue
JB Weld (epoxy)
Varnish (I used Danish OIl)
Brasso
000 Wire Wool
Propane Torch and Silver Solder (although you could use a good epoxy)
Sander and Sand Paper

Comments

[Lindie]

Nice! Love the look!

[bricabracwizard]

Thanks for the comment!

[Z.K.]

Great project. I really like that nice cabinet and the horn. The horn would stop me though. The last time I tried to order something from India, the shipping was unbelievable, more than what I wanted to buy. Anyway, your project is really interesting and I might try it sometime if I can buy one of those brass horns somewhere locally.

[iceng]

iLike this very much.
You have my vote too.

A

[Nicola Tesla]

Well, idon't like apple much, but this thing is amazing!

[bricabracwizard]

Thanks! I've created others for android phones and tablets. I think all electronics is fun and we need more competitors to keep the ball rolling, a major third who can come up with something completely different to apple and Microsoft.

[Nicola Tesla]

And there is! It is called LINUX, lol.... Imagine Microsoft, and Apple, combined. You get Ubuntu!!!

[bricabracwizard]

I would have mentioned Linux but for me it's too similar to Microsoft. Not being an expert but I think Ubuntu has a way to go yet. I'm hoping someone will work out a more 'pictorial' system.....lol

[Nicola Tesla]

Ah. I see.

[bricabracwizard]

Thanks every vote and comment counts!

[exoguy]

Wow! How great! 'His'Masters Voice' has finally joined up with the ipod providing a memorable, nostalgic sound. Where can I buy one?. Exoguy

[bricabracwizard]

Thanks, I have been asked by a few people for one, I'm looking into the viability of producing them but it would take more tools than I have to make them reasonably economical.

[farouk4]

Hey! love your project, def deserves a vote. Just had a few questions... What kind of audio amp would you use? could you provide us with a link? Also, is it possible for you to take a clearer pic of the wiring of the system? Thank you and Great job!

[bricabracwizard]

Thanks for your kind comments and the vote! A link was kindly provided by Thax below, here it is: http://s.dealextreme.com/search/amplifier.html?category=410

[farouk4]

Thanks a lot this is really helpful!

[Dylan0614]

Thank you so much for doing this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ive been trying to work out this verry project for months in my head, FINALY ...UR AWESOME!

[bricabracwizard]

UR WELCOME!

[sunshiine]

Nice build! Thanks for sharing your hard work! Voting! Have a beautiful day!
sunshiine

[bricabracwizard]

Thanks! ...and you too!

[farouk4]

(removed by author or community request)

[nmoraga]

can i put 3.5 jack to this speaker? or can i make it an ipod dock? please help me. i already have the 3.5 jack cable and i cut it on its other end and then i soldered it to the positive/negative of the speaker. it works but it doesnt perform well. low VERY sound.

[bricabracwizard]

For this speaker you will need an amplifier which you could build into the speaker case and is run by a battery, make sure it's rated for 6 ohms.

[Thax]

Here are some on the cheap...

http://s.dealextreme.com/search/amplifier.html?category=410

[bricabracwizard]

Well done, and thanks. You must have read my mind because I was thinking I didn't really help not sending an idea how this can be accomplished cheaply, and the amps you've linked to are so small they'll easily fit into the speaker cabinet.

[puzzler300]

thts really cool! ive been wanting make sometjing like this for a while now.

[bricabracwizard]

Please do! Post some pictures here or write an instructable, I'd like to see that

[robso]

Amazing! Thinking it will be my next livingroom improvement project! Thanks a bunch for sharing!

[bricabracwizard]

You're welcome!

[bdolge]

Just a thought, did you consider mounting the Ipad flat on top of the box and setting up a screensaver/idle screen as a old spinning victrola platter?

[bricabracwizard]

What a great idea, do you know of an app that does this?

[CrystalJade]

This is the coolest thing I've seen so far! I love old school. May I ask what iPad app you're using here?

[bricabracwizard]

Your comment is really appreciated. The app is: Diner Jukebox

[atga12]

So awesome!! Old school look combined with most modern technology available, so brilliant, I want one!!!

[bricabracwizard]

Thank you I'm flattered!

[canucksgirl]

Very nice instructable! That's a very creative idea and deserving of a vote.

Good luck in the contest!

[bricabracwizard]

Thanks!

[ilpug]

II like this so much, I must momentarily lapse into gibberish ggofijendagfkjgnkjgafknglaerglajgnkdfgfg

Sorry.

Yeah, this is amazing.

[bricabracwizard]

I'm glad I had that effect on you....it's made my day!

[ilpug]

Yay for made day!

[canucksgirl]

LOL :D