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Wordbiker
01-01-2012, 09:41 PM
Before I get into my PC mod I thought I'd show you my last project made for my daughter's Prom outfit.

After scouring articles on how to modify welding goggles and such, many of them terrible, I realized that the only way to go was a scratch build.

Starting with posterboard patterns helped to get a good shape and size.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0318.jpg

I then drew up a pattern the old-fashioned way...by hand.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/CopyofSteampunkgogglepattern0021.jpg

With the help of some Elmer's spray glue it was then transferred to sheet brass and the long process of cutting them out started.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0320.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0324.jpg

I used a combination of a hand nibbler, Dremel, jeweler's saw and a set of mini files to get the cuts needed without distorting the soft brass.

Before cutting the lens hole out and to prevent further distortion, a jig was made out of a pipe flange, a pipe nipple and a wood disc to hold the frame down before beating it into shape with a soft urethane mallet. Here it is with an early eyecup pattern.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0329.jpg

The eyeholes got a gear pattern to keep with the theme.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0333.jpg

After some polishing.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0342.jpg

My first attempt at sewing leather was disastrous. I took this nice clean look:

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0346.jpg


...and completely ruined it with the horrible stitching job that was my first attempt. Having a deadline pushed me to come up with another plan. The thrift store found purse I salvaged the eyecup leather from had some stitching already...so I faked it. Threaded the existing holes with hemp thread and glued them on with Barge cement.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0351.jpg

The next challenge was the braces, hand-bent from solid brass rod. The bending was actually easy after figuring out that it could be heated then handled with wet leather gloves.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0358.jpg

The hard part was forging the ends flat to accept the post mount.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0363.jpg

I failed and failed again, annealing correctly, but still they'd break. I tried bending tubing instead, but even with a mandrel they'd collapse. Then I had the idea to combine the two.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0368.jpg

A short piece of tubing soldered onto the end of the brass rods was easily smashed flat and cleaned up.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0371.jpg

A test fitting pic that a friend had some chopping fun with.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/dog.jpg

Once sized I attached the straps and buckles permanently with rivets.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0379.jpg

Hmmm...Photobucket seems to be having fits, so I'll continue this in another post.

Wordbiker
01-01-2012, 09:46 PM
OK, it's working again.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0382.jpg

All that was left was to rivet the eyecups on and add the standard issue steampunk gewgaws.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0408.jpg

I must admit, they looked much better on her than on me.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/225436_1542154533517_1824594935_978400_4692976_n.j pg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/IMAG0391.jpg

If you made it this far...thanks! :)

TheGreatSatan
01-01-2012, 10:47 PM
Holy crap. +rep!

Wordbiker
01-02-2012, 12:13 AM
Holy crap. +rep!

Hey, thanks!

I have another set to make for my neice out of white leather. Most likely I'll change the design up since I couldn't possibly make another set exactly the same. :banana:

msmrx57
01-02-2012, 04:07 AM
AWESOME!!!! Can't wait to see what you're gonna do with computer parts.

Fuganater
01-02-2012, 05:04 AM
OMG epic! +rep

Please make more steampunk stuff!!!

slaveofconvention
01-02-2012, 07:39 AM
Really sweet work. I never really got the steampunk thing personally, but I have to admire the work and craftsmanship in those goggles :)

Wordbiker
01-02-2012, 09:19 AM
Thanks again for the great replies.

If this is the sort of responses I'll get here at TBCS, my mod is not going to be lacking for enthusiasm.

AmEv
01-02-2012, 12:22 PM
If you do outstanding work, this is the response you get.

Thus, you are doing outstanding work! +rep

Wordbiker
01-02-2012, 12:32 PM
If you do outstanding work, this is the response you get.

Thus, you are doing outstanding work! +rep

Thanks again, but it was a family effort.

My daughter came up with the steampunk theme (and in our rural town, had to explain what that was over and over) and sourced some of the materials. My mom made the dress and all I did was the goggles.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/225657_1542153733497_1824594935_978392_1300148_n.j pg

It's good to come from such creative genes. :)

altec
01-02-2012, 09:17 PM
Looks awesome! Very clean job! :D You should make a few pairs for Ebay if you have the spare time. I'm sure they would sell like hot cakes!

The only thing I might consider doing is making them a little more compact. They seem perfect for a guy, but a bit big for girls.


Can I make fun of the date? :D;) Or are you holding that privilege for yourself?

Wordbiker
01-02-2012, 09:22 PM
Looks awesome! Very clean job! :D You should make a few pairs for Ebay if you have the spare time. I'm sure they would sell like hot cakes!

The only thing I might consider doing is making them a little more compact. They seem perfect for a guy, but a bit big for girls.


Can I make fun of the date? :D;) Or are you holding that privilege for yourself?

I saw a few goggles on Etsy that I liked and used the ideas. If I ever decided to make any they'd go on Etsy since folks there appreciate handmade things and are willing to pay for it. Ebay...not so much.

The next set will definitely be more compact. All that brass is heavy! I could make them much sleeker and still get a great look. Live and learn.

She dumped him once she started college, so mock away. ;)

altec
01-02-2012, 09:52 PM
Good point on Ebay. It isn't what it used to be (Been there since '99). :(

I honestly thought it was a chick for a second! :D

This makes me want to build a pair of goggles for the motorcycle. Go great with one of these Biltwell helmets!

http://www.biltwellinc.com/gallery/albums/album-84/lg/Biltwell_Novelty_Sunburst_Orange.jpg

Cale_Hagan
01-03-2012, 12:15 AM
Good point on Ebay. It isn't what it used to be (Been there since '99). :(

I honestly thought it was a chick for a second! :D

This makes me want to build a pair of goggles for the motorcycle. Go great with one of these Biltwell helmets!

http://www.biltwellinc.com/gallery/albums/album-84/lg/Biltwell_Novelty_Sunburst_Orange.jpg

too bright, lol...

EDIT: thought i had posted this already, but i guess something went wrong. AMAZING WORK!

Wordbiker
01-03-2012, 12:19 AM
too bright, lol...

Is there such a thing as too visible when on a motorcycle?

I remember a certain event after rolling across the hood of a 1970's black Cadillac, the lady accusing me of driving too fast (under 20MPH) since, "I never saw you".

altec
01-03-2012, 12:54 AM
Amen, brudda!

Admittedly, most of my gear is black... I try to make up for it with the candy red bike, and the straight pipe S&S Evo... :whistler:

Those flake 3/4 helmets down right GLOW when light hits them. They are very hard to miss!

But, enough thread jacking! Back to Steampunk Googles!

AmEv
01-03-2012, 11:31 AM
Cale, look at your post count....