So I decided to take xr4man's advise and AmEv's encouragement and do a Steampunk(ish)tablet mod...TLH had some good guidance on how to color the silicone/rubber/plastic parts...
I dont think I want to change anything from the basic design of the tablet itself, but add the brass accessories (if I can find them that don't cost me a 2nd mortgage or my first born) and maybe make some gears myself from acrylic...
We'll see...
you can get lots of brass stuff on ebay pretty cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Wholesale-Lo...p3286.c0.m1538