I have no experience with steampunk at all, but have been doing some research and need to consult you, the experts. I am an electrical engineering student and as part of a project have constructed a tube amplifier. Right now it resides on a piece of plywood for demonstration and explination. Now that I have a grade for it, I want to put it into a nice wooden case and thought such antiqated technology would lend itself perfectly to a steampunk theme.
So far I have aquired a player piano wind motor which will act as a cooling fan and will be disguised so as to give the impression that it is a steam motor. (I am, somewhat, working outwards from this) I also planned to use extensive brass tubing, valves, smokestack, and brass gearing anywhere appropriate. This is where my steampunk creativity/knowledge runs out. I am at a loss as to what would be appropriate for knobs, indicator lights, buttons and so on. Also, I am preplexed as to how lables should be worded. It seems absurd to use the steampunk theme and put a "volume" label next to the knob. "Steam pressure," for example, seems more appropriate.
Thank you for your advice, anything will help me to perfect this project.

I dare say you may well be the expert. It sounds to me like you are firing on all cylinders. For example using "Steam pressure" instead of volume, cracker! Along that line I'd offer "Audio Pressure" or "Wave Pressure". But it is my bias that items be functional and therefore I like accurate, or at least ballpark accurate, labels. But there are many people who prefer the fantasy a bit more and so they would probably like "Steam Pressure". It's kind of how ever you want the item perceived.

A picture, even in the current state, might inspire some ideas. Plus, we just like to watch projects unfold.

Alright, as this unfolds over the next few months I will post some pictures of its progress. Thanks for the help!

Even just 'pressure' would work fine, or 'intensity', or even 'sonority'. It sounds like a good project though. Top notch.

for lights you can use those tube lights and maybe a crank to turn it on? knobs.. hmm.. a gear with a handle comes to myy mind... but yet that's me using imagination would be nice to see it to make better suggestions

Engineer,

I don't know what kind of knobs would fit your project but I can tell you I get knobs from old typewriters. Maybe too small for this project? For larger knobs I like a large round wheel with a post at the outer edge as the crank, like a table saw crank handle.

For lights my favorite are crystal (acrylic) finials with an LED beneath or inside. Many shapes and colors. Not cheap though. These are large, 1-2", and your project sounds large. Costume jewelry stones might work too, if smaller is needed.

Not sure if you're asking for sources though.

As to appropriate or not, it is strange but there seems to be no rules as to what is appropriate or not in steampunk, if that is what you are asking. I've seen a small yellow rubber duck with goggles called steampunk and vacuum tubes objects called steampunk. I've read many times that steampunk means whatever one wants. I have not seen many definitions steampunk aesthetic other than very broad statements that really don't seem to match up with objects held up as defining steampunk. I think we're making this up as we go.

Thanks for all the replies! I think I found a solution to the knob problem...reed organ stops. They are the perfect size and, by chance, happen to be period correct. They even come in an "Old English" font. I think I am going to try to backlight these with some "warm white" leds (never used them so some experimentation is in order to see if they give the correct flame-light feel).
I had already planned to start this thing with either a skeleton key or clock key (whichever plays nicest with my power switch). The tube light idea is great and should work nicely when employed as the light from my "firebox," of which I am still searching for an appropriate door.
I am going this weekend to pickup wood. Right now I am planning on a dovetailed walnut construction but if there is a reason to use something else, let me know. Pictures will follow soon.
Thanks again!

As promised, pictures.

The knobs are very nice. The box is also very nicely done. I note it is labeled dovetail but appear to be finger joints. Perhaps the dovetails have too slight an angle to be seen in the photo? I actually prefer finger joints for boxes although I know many prefer dovetail.

Warm White LED's might not be the best option for a flame like back light. If you want it to look gas or candle lit you could try harvesting the yellow/orange LEDs from a flameless candle, and make it flicker. If you want it more the glow of embers or coals, using the LEDs with a red, orange, or yellow gel (from a theater supply or photography supply shop) may better give you the effect you are looking for.

Also, for Volume or Amplitude may work, "Steam Pressure" seems cliched, overdone, or obvious.

Great work!

Although I like "Steam Pressure" it may well just be my newness and agree with the concern of "cliched, overdone, or obvious". I worry about many of the things I do being obvious. For example I put a porthole in my bath thinking it was original only to find later there was an entire industry of making real brass portholes for baths.

That there are no books discussing the steampunk style, few critiques and artists haven't seemed too interested in discussing the design and where it might be going, makes coming up to speed on this style and seeing where it might going very difficult. With small pieces experimenting is no problem. But when I get into ceilings, walls, floors, built-ins then I become much more concerned.

An update:

The major casework is finished. The control panel must now be cut and engraved. (I am looking for a cnc mill to cut the control labels in an old english font) I have selected an 807 transmitting tube for this amp which features one of its connections on the top of the tube. This will allow me to use extensive brass "piping" both for effect and to carry the wires to the tube's top pin.