I decided to try making a steampunk computer using budget parts and resources I had on hand. I bought a second hand keyboard for $15.

I customized it using gold mirror acrylic etched on the back side with my laser cutter etcher for the keytops. The surround I made from scrap hardwood with shell inlay and etching. I covered the keyboard with timber inlay.

I bought a second hand monitor for $30 and used more scraps of hardwood with laser etching and shell inlay as customization.

I bought pointer instruments brass and leather mouse and used the supplied packing to make a wi fi charging station.

I'm pleased with the final outcome it suits my home and I find it much more visually satisfying than a conventional arrangement.

Supplies

80 watt laser/ etcher. Scraps of Kwila hardwood and shell inlays. Gold mirror acrylic etched on the back for the keys.

Bought - keyboard, monitor, mouse, leather mousepad, brass corners.

Step 1:

Keyboard. Choosing a keyboard with round keys made the process far easier. I painted the keys black before bonding the etched gold acrylic keytops with black sikaflex which enhanced the etched letters on the bottom. The etching had to be mirrored as it was on the underside of the acrylic. I made a pattern in card to work out the cutouts on the timber veneer to cover the keyboard itself and once I'd got it right cut it out with the laser. The timber surround I made to suit and chose appropriate images to etch or inlay with shell veneers from Lumea which I use regularly to enhance pieces.

Step 2:

I picked a monitor that was the right size to match the keyboard and a shape that I could customize. A similar process to the keyboard, making a case that suited using etching and inlays that I felt suited the concept. The central portion at the bottom lifts off to access the monitor controls.

Step 3:

The brass and leather Pointer Instruments mouse matched the rest of the project perfectly. Although expensive I am really pleased with it. I used the supplied packaging as a nest for the mouse charging station making an etched timber frame for it.

My aim was to see what I could achieve using as much material and resources that I had on hand. Similarly others could look to what they have on hand and how to utilize it. Designs could be printed on clear substrate and images can be transferred onto wood from coloured laser prints. Etching and engraving can be done by hand using hand tools of a dremel.