Tag Archives: brass

Shapeways Upgrades Its 3D Printing with Gold-Plated Brass

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3D printing just keeps getting better and better, and while the printers themselves seem to be gradually overcoming their resolution and speed limitations, materials continue to be the bigger challenge. Now, there is yet another way to enhance 3D printing, and it is awesome.

gold plated brass 3d printing 1

What you’re looking at here wasn’t actually printed on a 3D printer though – these gold-plated brass pieces are cast from 3D-printed models. The guys at Shapeways are now offering this material for outputting your digital models, and it’s quite spectacular.

gold plated brass 3d printing 2

The process involves printing a wax model with a hi-res 3D printer. Then the wax is placed into plaster to form a mold, after which the wax is melted out. This plaster mold is then used for casting the 3D model out of molten brass. Once cooled, the piece is polished, and then electroplated with nickel and then 24K gold. So while the latter stages are traditional jewelry-making processes, it’s the first step that creates truly innovative forms.

gold plated brass 3d printing 3

Sure, it would be cool if you could 3D print directly with precious metals, but we’re not there yet. For now, this process results in impressively detailed and shiny models which would be nearly impossible to envision being hand-sculpted in wax, resulting in unique works of art and jewelry.

Shapeways’ gold-plated brass material sells for $35(USD) per cubic centimeter, and can currently produce objects measuring up to 100mm x 100mm x 30mm.

[via SolidSmack]

Bullet Blossom Ring: Guns N’ Roses for Your Finger

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It’s not often that you see a ring made from a bullet that you could see women wearing. These Bullet Blossom rings are just that. Bang and bloom in one. It’s the softer side of firearm ammunition.

bullet blossom ring
The rings are made from Colt .45 ACP bullet casings that are cut and curled into a beautiful and unique rosette. They’re then soldered to an 18-gauge brass backplate. To top it all off, a Swarovski crystal in the color of your choice is inserted in place of the primer, trading its bang for some bling.

It’s what you get the gun-toting gal who has everything. Plus, if a woman is wearing a bullet on her finger that you gave her, I’m pretty sure she will be yours forever.

The Bullet Blossom ring is available from Gun Goddess, and sells for $45(USD), and is also available in nickel.

Clap-Off Bra Deserves a Standing Ovation

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Here’s an invention that would go well with the Clapper: a bra that unclasps when you clap. Now that’s a reason to turn the lights down low. You’d think this gadget would be a hit on the Internet, but its Kickstarter was actually a massive flop. I am disappoint. Or not.

clap off bra by randy sarafan

Instructables member Randy Sarafan posted instructions to make the silly undergarment. But he didn’t come up with the concept; he only tried to replicate a novelty item that’s apparently already being sold in Syrian markets. Here’s a NSFW demo of the bra:

The fact that the bra already exists may be one of the reasons why Randy’s Kickstarter didn’t succeed. We need someone to import the thing; not invent it. Then again I think his cheesy pitch video is mostly to blame. As of now it seems like it’s easier to build the bra than negotiate with the Syrian lingerie experts, so head to Instructables for Randy’s walkthrough.

[via CNET]

Lady Froggy Steampunk Gatling Gun for Dainty Death Dealing

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If you’re into steampunk cosplay, you know that it’s important to have the right weapon in your arsenal. While there are plenty of manly steampunk weapons out there, there aren’t too many for the ladies. The Lady Froggy aims to change that.

lady froggy gatling gun

This eight-barreled, wrist-mounted gatling gun is sure to take down any evil top-hatted, mustache-twirling lotharios you might encounter on your steam-powered journey through the 1890s.

lady froggy gatling gun 1

The Lady Froggy Gatling gun is handmade by Arsenal Best Armory, using polished brass, plastic, a metallic lacquer coating and embellished with Swarovski crystals. Because what lady weapon doesn’t have Swarovski crystals on it?

lady froggy gatling gun 2

Keep in mind that the Lady Froggy Gatling gun doesn’t actually fire projectiles, but you probably will still have some ‘splainin’ to do if you try and wear it through airport security. They do have security checkpoints for dirigible flights, right?

Holy Crap, This Nixie Clock is Cool

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There’s just something so cool about the design of Nixie tubes – I think it’s just that for such an old technology, they’re still sort of timeless. It’s been a little while since I saw a really good looking Nixie clock though, but this one was definitely worth the wait.

lamina nixie clock 1

The extraordinary Lamina Nixie Clock was handcrafted by artist Zoltan Acs using walnut and maple woods, along with brass gears and disks to give it a look all its own. The designer says it’s a combination of Art Deco, Industrial and Steampunk, and I think he nailed the description. He forgot to mention that it’s just freakin’ good looking.

lamina nixie clock 2

This thing looks just as cool from the back as it does from the front.

lamina nixie clock 3

The clock uses antique Russian Nixie vacuum tubes, along with a cool blue LED glow to make them look like they’re floating in some sort of test chambers. And even better yet, it’s got an alarm function, so you could put this thing by your bedside and wake up to it every morning.

Of course, all of this intricate craftsmanship comes at a cost. The Lamina Nixie clock is listed for €1,100.00 (~$1500 USD), which means that most of us will just have to admire it from afar. But if you’ve got deep pockets, you can purchase this amazing work of functional art over on Etsy now.

Steampunk Arm Guard Has Working Bluetooth Keyboard: Typepunk

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There’s just something so retro-futuristic about the idea of giant wrist-worn communicators. In the real world, we pretty much skipped right over these  contraptions and went straight to smartphones. So if you don’t have a Pip-Boy 3000 lying around, here’s the next best thing.

keyboard arm guard

What you’re looking at is a fully-functional wrist-worn Bluetooth keyboard. Its been done up in a sort of Steampunk leather and brass arm guard, which should offer both protection and computing on the go. From the pics, it actually looks like there are two variants of the keyboard floating around – one with square keys (which I prefer), and the other with little round ones.

keyboard arm guard 2

They were built by Thomas Willeford of Brute Force Studios, and appear to have gotten their start as those cheap little Bluetooth keyboards with the touchpad built in. But that’s where the similarities end. The leather and brass work is quite intricate, and that’s probably why these things are selling for $1200(USD) each.

Head on over to Etsy to check out more pics.

Clacker Steampunk Desktop Still Runs on Electricity

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If you liked modder Datamancer’s steampunk laptop, you’ll go crazy over this datamanced desktop suite. The Clacker includes not just the computer itself but also a monitor, keyboard, mouse, mouse pad, speakers, table and chair. So put those coins back in your piggy bank. This is going to be pricey.

clacker steampunk desktop computer by datamancer

The highlight of the setup has to be the monitor: “The LCD also features an antique video projector built into the back which is powered and spins custom brass film reels while LED lighting flickers in a custom projection box, to give the impression that the image is being projected onto the LCD through the back.” Unfortunately we don’t have a video or even close-up pictures of the LCD, but if you’re sold contact Datamancer so you can talk pricing.

[Datamancer via Super Punch]

 


Triforce Jewelry Set: Power, Wisdom, Courage, Necklace, Bracelet, Earrings

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The Legend of Zelda series is one of those gems that has established its world so well, fans can easily imagine it existing beyond what is shown in the games. Which is I think the weathered look of this jewelry set is a perfect fit. If only the words were in Hylian.

triforce jewelry set by fortesgospel

This set was made by Sprite Stitch forum member Fortesgospel using solid brass. Here’s the bracelet:

triforce jewelry set by fortesgospel 2

And these are the earrings:

triforce jewelry set by fortesgospel 3

Fortesgospel said she’s selling these beautiful jewelry and in fact has already sold the necklace even before posting these pictures. I’m not sure if she’s going to make more though, so if you’re interested I suggest you keep an eye on her thread at the Sprite Stitch forum for more details. Looking for a Triforce ring? Take this!

[via Sprite Stitch]