Der Geis ([info]dergeis) wrote in [info]pgh_steam,
@ 2009-09-08 19:31:00
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Current music:Vernian Process - "Behold the Machine"

Project Assistance
I have built a steampunk lightsaber and wish to add a power generator to it. Much like the electric foils created by Agatha Heterodyne on the "Girl Genius" comic.

I could build something from scratch but I think it would end up looking like I built it from Home Depot. A little too contemporary. My grandfather used to have several electric space heaters that would have been a terrific foundation but we threw them away years ago because they were inherently dangerous. I have been looking at flea markets for something similar but have, so far, been unsuccessful in finding something similar.

So, if my neighbors in the Pittsburgh area could add their assistance. . . if you find something similar to these space heaters but 50 years older, and cheap because they don't need to actually work, I would be appreciative.




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[info]woodssteam
2009-09-16 04:05 am UTC (link)
very cool! i will keep my eye out for one!

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[info]dergeis
2009-09-19 05:50 pm UTC (link)
I went to a local flea market and there were tons of people with various space heaters, all of them wrong. Then I found a Coleman Catalytic Heater.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JontQZ6PT2tS3fwy7frBQg?feat=directlink

It's a bit on the heavy side but once I gut the thing, I'm sure I can lighten it up. I need something inside that will rotate like an electric generator. Some flashing lights to simulate arcing. A better carry handle.

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Not Thinkin' That's Quite Right....
[info]pagancraftsman
2009-09-21 09:50 pm UTC (link)
Hey there...
Since you posted this I have been keeping a serious eye out for something to match what your looking for... Personally I think you need something smaller and thinner... something you could hang off the hip... HOWEVER... if you turned your recent find into a BACKPACK it would definitely be awesome! You just need a longer cable to attach the pack to your saber. Hope your endevour succeeds!
-K

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]dergeis
2009-09-22 10:08 pm UTC (link)
Indeed, smaller and thinner would be better, but I will take what I can get. However, I don't think this would work well as a backback, either. A bit too cubical. That is, it is as deep and wide as it is tall and that will not balance well on a backpack.

I do have ideas for a backpack device of some sort, and am keeping an eye out for things that will work (Pony kegs as boilers) bit that's lower on my list of things to do.

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[info]dergeis
2009-10-04 01:35 am UTC (link)
This weekend is a bit of a vacation. I'm in Lebanon, PA and visiting the Pennsylvania Rennaisance Fair and then, after that, we'll be drivig on to Long Beach, NY for a my brother's surprise 25th anniversary. In any case, on the way back to the hotel after the day at the ren fair, I saw exactly the right space heater sitting on a table at a roadside garage sale.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EAYgsIK9cpLLr3VrbJuftg?feat=directlink

$5.

Now, to make the decisions of which piece I'm going to use and get working on turning it into a generator.

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