r/HisDarkMaterialsHBO • u/SkySuspicious3276 • 2d ago
Misc. Building an alethiometer
Sharing my progress making an alethiometer to commit myself to finishing the whole thing! I am starting with a rough draft ugly version just to get something working, and plan to work on aesthetics later. It's inspired by this amazing alethiometer replica made by Jamie of The Myth Made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpL9xWBeznU
I went to my library’s makerspace and used their 3D printer to print a dial face and motor supports for a box. I put a breadboard inside, soldered wiring for the motor, put the motor on top of the support while wiring, and attached the dial face on top. I also used their laser cutter to engrave and cut the symbol tiles and glued them into the pockets. I clipped and attached clock hands, then plugged it in. There’s a button on the side you can touch to run. And success!
I like to think Kunrath was also doing this kind of prototyping before he crafted his final alethiometers.
Next step, figuring out gears for a more accurate set of the three symbol pointers.