Every so often projects start out simple but end up taking way more time than first anticipated. Here is one of those projects that got out of hand. My original intent was to make a small, simple, powered speaker box. Nothing fancy, just a low power amp, used computer speakers, all housed in a tiny container. I had no plan to make a "themed" project.

During fabrication, the project seemed to take on a life of its own. After I fab'd the speaker grill, it simply looked like it came from the 1950s. It reminded me of an old Collins ham radio. So instead of steampunk, which I've posted before, https://www.instructables.com/id/Steampunk_Headset/ the Dieselpunk Stereophonic Amplifier was created.

A couple of highlights...

The typical DC power connector and headphone jacks are hidden behind screw-on caps. The power indicator is made to look like a fuel level gauge and contains REAL 5W-30 motor oil! When connected to AC power it gives off a 60hz hum. That was unintentional but it adds to the Dieselpunk feel. The box is painted in hammertone and aged to give it a greasy Dieselpunk look.

Tools:

Drill

Counter sink bit

Hack Saw

File

Sandpaper

Belt Sander

Hot Glue Gun

Soldering Iron

Jigsaw

Dremel Tool

Clothes Pins

Center punch

Stepped drill bit

Parts:

2 Watt Stereo Kit - Carl's Electronics P/N K115

http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/ampl/k115.htm

Small Lunchbox - Michaels

Two - Speakers - salvaged from old computer speakers

Two - 12 inch long brass rods 1/16 inch dia. - Hobby Shop

12VDC Power Transformer

Two - 1/4 FLR x 1/8 FPT brass elbow - Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH)

1/4 inch and 5/16 inch brass compression joints - OSH

Two - Chains - Goldmine Electronics P/N G15272

Toggle Switch - OSH

Rubber Toggle Switch Boot - Goldmine Electronics P/N G16872

6 x 18 inch Sheet Aluminum 0.025 inch thick - OSH

Aluminum Perforated Sheet 0.063" (0.125" holes-0.1875" stagger) 3003-H14 12 inches x 24 inches - Online Metals

1/2 inch angle aluminum - OSH

1-1/2 inch dia. Flange - Weird Stuff

3.5mm Stereo Jack - Radio Shack P/N 274-274

DC Power Jack - Radio Shack P/N 274-1577

DC Power Plug - Radio Shack P/N 274-1569

9V Battery Snap Connector - Radio Shack P/N 270-324

Red LED - Radio Shack P/N 276-330

LED Resistor 560 ohm Radio Shack P/N 271-1116

Perfboard - Radio Shack P/N 276-148

6 AA Battery Holder - Digikey P/N BH26AASF-ND

Foam Rubber - Recycle Bin

1/8 inch masonite board - Scrap Pile

Acrylic tube 3/8 inch OD - Tap Plastics

Six 1-1/4 inch long mounting bolts and nuts 6/32

Various nuts and bolts with tapered heads

Old pot lid knob - Thrift Store

Silicone sealer - OSH

Scrap sheet plastic for the nut retainer - Recycle Bin

Clear label for printer - Office Depo

Gray hammertone spray paint - OSH

Silver spray paint - OSH

Plumbers strapping tape - OSH

5-Minute epoxy - OSH

Crazy Glue - OSH

Paint thinner

Black enamel paint (nail polish) - wife's drawer

This Instructable is medium to high level. Please take the appropriate safety precautions when using any tools. Once, I almost cut my thumb off with a simple coping saw. So, be careful!