When I was a kid I collected stamps. After almost 30 years I rediscovered my old stamp album. On the first page the were the space themed stamps. I think these were the first stamps that I got – and if I remember correctly this was from a nurse at the hospital where my mother worked. In the album there are also a lot of South African stamps (this was were I lived). I am now continuing my collecting but also making small mini puzzles from some of the current duplicate stamps (some of these are for sale here).
Making a mini stamp puzzle is trickier that I thought it would be. I made some puzzles previously – using a scroll saw – where you just stick the paper to the wood and cut. But I wanted to use the laser to make the pieces really small. I need to cut them upside down to minimize the burn marks on the stamp itself. Positioning something this small exactly at the right place in the cutter while upside down required some thinking. The focus also needs to be spot on. But I think I got everything working quite well now and are happy with the results.
After I made a few single stamps puzzles I got the idea of making whole sets in to puzzles that can be displayed in a single frame. I got some really nice stamps from the Royal Mail. These include the 2019 Marvel set, the 2018 Star Wars Set and the 2019 Leonardo da Vinci sets. I have the Royal Mail’s Game of Thrones and Harry Potter sets still to make into puzzles.
I made the 2018 Swedish Lighthouses set into a puzzle set with an engraved lighthouse on the frame itself.
I also wanted to make a bigger puzzle but with small pieces. I got a image from an old book and made a 200 piece puzzle. It took more than 2 hours to build (more pictures here).
I still want to collect more stamp and thus posted this offer on a few forums and sites: I am willing to turn any stamp you want into a puzzle and send it back to you. I will however need 4 of the exact same type (one as payment and 2 for backup if something does not work – but I will keep the backup stamps also). I of course prefer not to cut stamps are not rare.
This project was a lot of fun. It provided me with a bit of a break as I am still struggling with the wooden clock kit – that is next on the to do list to finish. Keep an eye out for it…
I designed a new maze puzzle kit. This is a classic game where a ball needs to be moved through a maze by tilting it BUT in this version the tilting is done by a simple mechanical mechanism. The mechanism is operated by two knobs that are rotated. Available here!
The kit is quite fun to build and I think it is currently one of the simplest Induku wooden model kits. It ships in an envelope with all the parts and instructions included.
Free download of the building instructions available here:
After I made the steampunk Raspberry Pi Laptop (this one) several people commented that it is “nice”. But while many liked the case, the computer hardware was not something they would be interested in. A better idea would would be to make cases that to carry a modern laptop. The final result is wooden laptop cases that will fit a 13″ Macbook Pro (the version with retina display – see full specifications here). Click on each of the images to learn more the specific laptop case.
They are currently for sale (here) and the back is mostly open where a custom name can be placed as exemplified in the following image. They are therefore only partly finished and will get their final coats of lacquer after this has been done.
There is one laptop case that is not finished yet. I have a blue felt interior and silver fittings. Any suggestions on what image to place on the cover would be nice.
Dragon Laptop Case
The Celtic Knot Dragon is quite popular. On this case the dragon is on the front cover and the Triquetra on the back. It has a blue felt interior where the laptop is stored (buy it here).
Click on the pictures for larger images:
Reading Woman Laptop Case
I combined the images of a woman reading and a flower with a humming bird sprouting from the book as the front cover of this case. The back cover has 4 disks with flowers as the feet when the case is open. It has a red felt interior where the laptop is stored (buy it here).
Click on the pictures for larger images:
NOTE – the cases are made from plywood that warp with humidity. The bottom of the case is slightly warped and this can be seen when the it is placed on a flat surface (see video). The extend that it warps depends on the humidity and other factors. Over time the warping may reduce as the sheets of wood align with each other.
Jurassic Laptop Case
I combined the images small child reaching and a T-Rex bending down as the cover for this laptop. It is a bit of a dramatic scene and open for interpretation. The back cover has 4 T-Rex prints that serve as feet when the case is open. It has a red felt interior where the laptop is stored (buy it here).
Click on the pictures for larger images:
Specifications of the laptop cases
The laptop case is made from Baltic Birch plywood. It has a compartment for a 13″ MacBook Pro retina display laptop. It has a side compartment for the cable and charger. The back compartment is large enough to fit standard size papers and books (A4 and letter).
Weight (empty): 2.1 kg (4.7 lbs)
Outer dimensions (including feet and handle): 33 x 42 x 8 cm (12 x 16.5 x 3.2 inches)
Laptop compartment: 32.5 x 26.5 x 1.8 cm (12.8 x 10.5 x 0.71 inches)
Back compartment: 33 x 27 x 2.8 cm (13 x 10.6 x 11 inches)
Cable compartment (note – a recess is made in the back compartment where the charger fits): 33 x 5 x 5.6 cm (13 x 2 x 2.2 inches)
Additional features:
One side of the laptop compartment has a space where the charger, earphones and other cables can be plugged in while the laptop is used within the case.
The case ships with a shoulder strap that attach to the sides of the case. This strap can be replaced easily with any other type of shoulder strap.
There is a chain that will stop the case to be opened completely. This in combination with the small feet at the bottom will allow the laptop to be used without taking it from the case (example).
The felt interior provides a soft compartment to protect the laptop.
The back cover has space for a custom name. They are thus not completely lacquered on this side.
Note – the laptop case will ONLY FIT THE RETINA DISPLAY 13″ MacBook Pro and NOT THE OLDER 13″ MacBooks Pro models. The retina display model has a depth of 18 mm – which will fit perfectly in the felt covered compartment. Thinner models will fit but may require a additional sleeve or padding
Note – the laptop cases are made from wood and is NOT WATER PROOF. It is covered with several coats of polyurethane lacquer and is therefore splash proof. If it gets wet it is recommended that you wipe dry it with a cloth as soon as possible. It will also keep the laptop dry from minor splashes but water my get into the paper compartment. It should not be used in the rain.
Note – the cases are made from plywood that warps with humidity and other factors. The warping may reduce over time.
Note – it is easier to store the cables after the laptop compartment has been closed. It is also better to remove the cables before the laptop compartment is opened (makes for a neater opening and easier to get the charger).
Note – the case can carry up to 5 kg including the laptop. More weigh may place unnecessary strain on the wooden components and attachments.
How it is made
A full blog will follow on how I made the laptop cases. There will also be additional images on the case that has been sold and reasoning for the design choices and laptop sizes. Subscribe to this blog or follow me on YouTube to get the post and video as it is released.
Induku Design 
