A Steampunked Nixie Tube Clock
I have always had a passion for retro electronics and Nixie tubes appear to be uber cool at the present moment. These wonderful creations of exotic metals, inert gasses and glass have always fascinated me and just recently there have been a number of really superb kits on the market which allow for the preparation of a fully functioning, 6 digit clock with some very modern features and some impressive lighting effects. However, at the end of the day all you end up with is the guts of a clock. I wanted to make a stylish case for the clock which sits somewhere around the Art Deco, Arts and Crafts and Steampunk styles. I had a few pieces of Tasmanian Myrtle which I paid way too much for when I took a holiday in Tasmania and I had just enough to make a start on the design. I also wanted to include some clear acrylic in the design so that the RGB backlight LED's could be visible inside the case and as a finishing touch I felt that some anodised aluminium features would look just right. I know that it is not a traditional clock per se but it displays the time and it does look cool.
The build has stretched my resources to the limit at times and having prepped most of the wood by hand I really do wish I had a CNC router and/or a oscillating bobbin sander in my arsenal of tools. The metal parts have also tested my patience since aluminium anodising appears to be one of those dark arts that everyone claims to know how to do but no one can tell you what you are doing wrong. Still, I am starting to get results.
I have been preparing a series of Youtube videos which detail the build and I am including the first part here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpAAi0nLrkU
Please leave a comment if you want any more info. The second part is due out shortly.
Regards,
Preso
Part 2 of the Nixie Clock Build
Thanks Lappa,
Here is part 2 of the build. I tried to carry on with my theme of using blunt cutting tools... More embarrassment! :B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnZjvxJND1A
