Steam Glove, Mark III

The glove, it evolves!

The Mark III version of the Steam Glove replaces the white plastic manual augmentation strips with copper ones and incorporates a number of other features not seen in previous incarnations of the glove!

One of my favorite modifications present in this latest version of the Steam Glove is the addition of a steam gauge (thanks to Fred) which allows previously unmonitorable settings (specifically the dilation of local space-time and the stresses dilation presents upon the steam system built into the glove) to at last be tracked. The Mark III also includes a leather support bracer and an anti-superstition charm to focus its impact upon the aetheric fabric of reality.

STATUS: Sold
COST: $50 + $10 s&h in US

VS-41 Auto-Pneumatic Rifle

Colonel Weetabix and I showing off the VS-41 and the Colonel's custom big game rifle.

On my last visit to the cthulian depths of Archeron, I was struck by a brilliant idea. It seems that every time I pass into otherworldly dimensions and hellish fragments of elder worlds which hang in the phlogiston of reality, I find myself woefully lacking in firepower. That, my dear friends, is where my latest invention, the Von Singer Arms VS-41 Auto-Pneumatic Rifle comes in.

My guns are always bumpy at first.

Like the Colonel's big game rifle, the VS-41 started life as a PVC structure fitted together in a way that (I felt) vaguely resembled the M41A, which I think most of those who are familiar with the design will agree is one of the most iconic, beautiful and powerful rifles ever built. Once the frame was assembled, an entire can of structural foam was applied and allowed to set, giving the rifle the characteristically bumpy and organic look that my rifles have before I sand them down and paint them.

Not even Hans can shave so straight.

Cutting free the bumpy bits and sanding down to the level of the PVC pipe always leaves a pockmarked surface on the real meat of the rifle. Fortunately, an application of silicone caulking, when spread across the surface of the weapon using a butter knife, reduces the bumpy, cratery appearance to almost nothing.

It's a tarp!

Painting on the VS-41 was done in three colors-- chrome for the clip and barrels, copper for the stock, (and pretty much the rest of the piping) and an application of glossy black which was sprayed onto the butt of the rifle. The end result? See below!

Weetabix's Big Game Rifle

Colonel Cornelius Weetabix, world famous big game hunter

Continuing in the vein of gunsmithing, I recently constructed this dual-chambered, steam-powered elephant gun as a gift for the great Colonel Cornelius Weetabix, world famous big game hunter and fellow adventurer.

The gun, it seems a bit poofy, ja?

Like all of the other rifles I have constructed thus far, Weetabix's Big Game Rifle began life as a PVC form locked into place with combat-grade masking tape and a generous helping of canned structural foam. After allowing enough time for the foam to set, I then shaved off the excess foam and applied a layer of silicone caulking (with a butterknife-- literally) to fill in the natural crater-esque surface which is exposed by the shaving. This process creates a smoother surface for looks and painting!

Ah, that's better!

Weetabix's Big Game Rifle required three colors of paint to finish: Hammered metallics in silver and copper (the silver for the barrels, the copper for the stock) and an edging of black which I applied to the base and butt of the stock after this shot. Perhaps the best aspect of this design is that the surface of the weapon (where it is not PVC) is essentially a styrofoam-like substance under a thin, hard crust, so it's mostly weather resistant and provides a solid platform for adding objects to (in order to more steampunk it up!)

The Colonel making civilized conversation. . . while holding his new gun.

So, what was the Colonel's reaction after I gave him his gift?

I think he likes it, ja?

I cannot wait to see what he does with the platform I have given him!

STATUS: Sold
COST: Gift/Trade

Martian Auto-Variable Raygun (MARV)

Yes, it is very nice, Hans. Very stylish, ja.

Every good inventor knows that the best inventions are those that someone else had to think up and build. On one of my many travels to the salt mines of Mars, I came across this sleek little piece and immediately acquired it for the steep sum of $1.50 American. Being of Martian design, it was of a garish black-and-orange color scheme, but I was drawn by the quality of the piece, (as well as the LED assembly and the range of noises it makes.) A quick disassembly, tape application and spray down with hammered metallic paints later, my reverse-engineered Martian Auto-Variable Raygun (MARV) became a fully functional light-and-sound sidearm good enough for the hip of any self-respecting steampunk or airship pirate!

My assistant, the sky pirate Braschella Rivera, modeling the MARV.

The most notable feature of the MARV (besides the flashing lights and fancy PEW PEW noises) is the addition of a variable power setting on the slide of the weapon, allowing the MARV to be set to stun or, my favorite setting: lethal!

STATUS: For Sale
COST: $20 + $5 s&h in US

Set to stun, prepare for fun!

The MARV's "Stun" setting. . .

. . . and now it is set to kill!

The "Ronin Foam" Monstrosity

When I look at this rude pile, I see potential!

Inspired by an episode of Stargate: Atlantis which I was watching when I was supposed to be working (or more specifically the handgun used by the character "Ronin,") I call this project the "Ronin Foam" Monstrosity. The basic idea was to take a basic PVC pipe frame and completely bury it in an entire can of structural foam, then carefully remove bits of the structural foam to create a workable weapon. As you can see, this invention is only in the initial stages (I must admit, when I first saw it, I mistook it for something Hans had spilled on the floor of my laboratory) but a little carving and some paint will fix that.

Freeze! My weapon is made of foam!

So far, my plans are simple-- working from a basic design of Ronin's handgun (from SG: Atlantis,) I am winnowing the foam down to something approximating a firearm. As you can see, I am already making progress!

STATUS: In progress
COST: N/A

Aeronautique Sidearm

Don't I look handsome? Hans thinks I look handsome. Jawohl!

I know what you are thinking-- every enterprising young inventor who dabbles in the genre of steampunk tinkers with a Maverick R6. They're everywhere! Why, on my last outing (a tour of old Sacramento) I counted six of them holstered on the hips of my fellow steampunkers (with only their own unique color schemes to differentiate them.)

Well, everyone must start somewhere. This is where I started.

Isn't she pretty? I was tempted to call her "Vera."

So, tell me, Mr. Fancy Pants Inventor (I can almost hear you say) just what sets this particular Maverick Rev 6. apart from its many cousins within the steampunk community? Well, other than the fact that most of the chambers still fire (I blame the malfunctioning ones on tape failure, and not on any sort of incompetence of my own,) the Aeronautique Sidearm (Model VI) is made sleek and sporty with the use of a soft, smooth lacquered blue finish coupled with the easy chrome of the rest of the weapon. Add a grip and muzzle wrapped in genuine leather (as well as an extended barrel made from real copper-- not plastic painted copper!) and you have a handgun that every airship pilot, captain or aspiring pirate can secretly envy.

Do you feel lucky, Hans? Well, do you?

Plus, its simple, blue-and-chrome beauty is enough to inspire even the most hardened introvert to strike a few exciting poses with it (as evidenced below.)

STATUS: For Sale
COST: $25 + $10 s&h in US

My Boomsword

This is my boomstick. . . er, boomsword.

Like most of my inventions, the steam powered Von Singer special single action revolvoblade is a work in progress. Initially designed and built almost ten years ago as part of a wholly separate project (and vision of the future-- that's what you get for hopping back and forth along the timeline constantly!) I have recently picked this piece up again and begun to tinker with it.


The biggest flaw of this early Von Singer design is in the structural weaknesses of the grip itself. While the blade is a salvaged bar from a DOA Homelight chainsaw that I recovered on one of my many journeys out into the other worlds which border our own, the handle is a hollow piece of light duty plastic recovered from a grandmother's easy-to-handle edge-subduing weedeater-analog. Only the careful placement of screws (and gentle handling) hold this creation together.

My goals with this piece are:

• Make it steampunk (its rather basic, isn't it?)
• Eliminate structural issues via internal reinforcement and/or a wholly new grip altogether.
• Find and create a way to mount and carry this device into the field that doesn't require me to consistently strike cool poses (as opposed to carrying on boring conversations.)

STATUS: In Progress
COST: N/A

Steam Glove Prototype

This is more or less the natus stage of the steam glove which is an integral part of my ensemble. As it is a work in progress, later versions are more impressive. (pictures coming)

At this stage, the steam glove consists of a leather glove from which the liner and the tips of the fingers have been removed (though two of them are visible as components holding together the zipties. It uses a unique combination of zipties, four to a finger, bound to a series of forged iron rings in a way that creates a natural springiness. It's extremely comfortable and practical as well! I've worn it for 8+ hours during events without any problem whatsoever. Being on the right hand, it's great for shaking hands, writing, or drinking tea as well.